Get Your Students Hired
The "human factor" is often times of equal importance as the course content in the retention of students. Respect, acknowledgement, and caring about each individual student and the challenges they may be facing lets them know that you truly and genuinely care about them as a person. When a student feels valued and respected, they want to do their best and they rise to the standards that are being asked of them more easily. If an instructor does not show the students respect, they will not receive the respect in return from their students and the learning environment is compromised.
Antonio,
Good point and one that needs to be remembered each time we step into a classroom or lab. These adults need to see they are valued and respected for the life experiences they are bringing to the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Including the Human factor in Adult education is essential. If the student does not feel respected as an adult and as a person that has sacrificed their time and energy to come back to school they are not going to continue to attend.
Diana,
This is a very good point because life does happen. By considering the impact an event may have or is having on a student you can provide support and encouragement and help them work through this tough time. Knowing you care about them as individuals and their future goes a long way in helping them to stay in school.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kim,
Yes it is. It is what keeps students coming back and working hard to be successful in class even when life outside of school may be bearing down heavy on them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We are all Humans and as such have to understand that "life" sometimes gets in the way of learning. As instructors we need to take life into consideration and where we can, without compromising integrity allow for deviations and discretion.
The human factor is essential in converting information to analysis and application for students. Students want to find relevance in their study materials. Application of the materials to each student and helping them find their connection individually is key. The students who do not do well typically are those who do not find acknowledgement and understanding in the classroom.
I feel the human factor is paramount. If my students believe that I care about them as a peerson and want to help them succeed they are much more likely to fight through the obstacles to success. It is very motivating to know you are not alone.
The Human Factor is key to retention because it is the most important factor in relevancy of instructor knowledge and ability to transfer that to the student understanding and his or her ability to use it in real world applications.