encouraging attendance
The students need to know that attendance is a big factor at school because the Employer is more interested in seeing that they can be dependable more so than the training they have gotten.
Hi Mary,
Very true. This is why instructors need the support of their college when the establish an attendance policy. The next step is to enforce it if it is to have any value.
Gary
Attendance is one of the most important aspects of attending school. If the student does not attend, they do not learn to their potential. It is almost impossible to play "catch up".
Hi Kara,
Your engagement strategy of using food is a good one. You are offering healthy snacks which is part of the trend today which is also good.
Eating releases a number of different reactions in the body which helps to get people settled and focused on what they are doing. With your evening classes this works very well as you know. In addition this introduces some social interaction as most people chat a bit while getting their food so this helps them to relax.
Gary
While we would all like to think that the subject matter we are teaching should be reason enough for students to come to class, unfortunately, there is something called "LIFE" that can make that really difficult some days. I think food is a great motivator, especially when you are teaching a night class and most people have already put in a full day of work somewhere else. Now of course, most of us would like donuts, coffee, and basically junk food, but as a teacher in a massage therapy program, we talk a lot about health and healthy eating, so for me - I bring in carrots, celery, and healthy dip!!
Attendance is the keep to success.
Be creative with each class incentive and recognize students in front of their peers. I focus incentives around their career field, whether a product,tool or certificate for their career portfolio, it's another key to success.
Sheri
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the input and I we share a similar background. Unfortunatly, I see this attitude amongst students who also come from the same type of background. I even see this at the university amongst the graduate students in science. They believe that they don't have to do many experiments because they will get their degree just for being there for five years.
I try to help they realize that this attitude only hurts them in the real world, but it is tough not to sound so arrogant and loose their attention.
Thanks,
George
Hi George,
I agree with you about how students should be motivated to be in class each session. I am a dreamer as well as I come from a background of extreme poverty and limited educational opportunities. When I got to school I relished the opportunity and was always there because I realized that education was my ticket to the life I wanted to have.
Many students don't have this perspective even though they are putting out tremendous amounts of money to get their education. (Welcome to the Age of Entitlement) The more we can do as instructors to help them capture the vision and see their future the more this will become a incentive.
The more day to day incentives I use (in my real world) are special food days, like pizza for completing assignments on time or scores on tests. Others are credit for assignments handed in on time. Special projects they want to complete, etc.
Gary
Following up with Diedra's comment, I totally agree with you. Additionally, if they have not learned or acquired the skill of being dependent then they will not have that on the job once they are hired. They will quickly learn how unacceptable it is in the work place.
Hi Gary,
I think that the idea of an incentive is an interesting way to get the students to come to class. What type of incentive would you recommend?
I believe it is up to the instructor to present the incentive to the students each class. In the ideal world, you would think that the opportunity to learn would be sufficient (I know, I am a dreamer). Additionally, the student is shelling out big bucks to attend school and that in itself should be an incentive. What about the student taking an investment in their own future? Once again, I believe this is the instructors role to show the students how they can benefit by coming to class and learning.
George
Hi Diana,
You make a number of very good points in relation to attendance and how it prepares them for the work world. They cannot use high school behavior and expect to be successful in their careers. The more we can reinforce this with them the better off they will be in the future.
Gary
I state clearly on my syllabus that students need to consider school a job--they do come there to work. A boss would fire anyone who didn't show up, and might even fire someone who shows up late. Students seem to respond well to this parallel, especially since school is a job they're paying for. I like to think it also sets up realistic expectations for their future careers.
I agree. Student must beaware that attendance at school can affect their chances of getting hired. On the transcripts, if it shows that they have had too many absences, the employer will be reluctant to hire them becauase they wont feel that they are dependable.
Depending on where we are in the term, missing one class can sink a student. Setting up a time for make-up work and exams can be a trial as well.
I agree that attendance is a very important part of anyone's education. As a teacher of Document Processing if a student even misses one class they are behnd 2 or more lessons in the program. When they attend the next week, they not only need to make-up the missed lessons, they also need to do the current lessons. Students who miss and do not come in some extra time always seem to have failing or barely passing grades. I tell them every semester that this class is hands-on and work intensive.
I stress from the beginning of the first class how important attendance is. I explain that each class is a building block that is needed for the following day. If a student misses a class they are behind for the following days activities. They will be behind both mentally and skill wise.
Hi Miyuki,
Good point. It seems students need to be reminded often that attendance and class participation are critical to their success. As you say if they don't learn this important point now it will have serious impact on their employment. Employers want employees that are prompt and are accountable for the work assigned.
Gary
A student's attendance affects the learning process, motivation and even his/or her reliability in future jobs.
Attending classes teaches them the course material as well as the importance of becoming reliable. Future employers will not tolerate tardiness or employees that call in sick often.
It is important to communicate our expectations and student's obligations, at the beginning of the class.
I try to give many real life examples, and show how relevant the course materials are for their success. creating a connection between the class content & student helps motivate the student to attend the class
Attendance shows reliabily and shows the motivation to learn everyday.
