I believe as instructors the best thing we can do is go right to the source, our students. Talking to students, be it before, during, or after the class, not only established rapport with the students, but it also brings to light what is working in the class and what can be improved and made better. If an instructor talks to his/her students the students learn quickly that the instructor cares for them and are therefore more apt to participate in the classroom. It is crucial to the success of any course that there be a very strong bond between the student and the instructor. One way I like to achieve this is by starting the term with a ‘getting-to-know-each other” exercise where I encourage all students, and myself, to openly share our short-term and long-term goals, motivations, and frustrations, and then define how they (and I) define success (in personal, educational, and professional life). This not only helps the students clearly map out their goals, but it also helps me get to know each of them so that I can better relate to them, understand them, and then come up with projects that not only teach the subject matter, but also helps each students utilize his/her skills. Also I always find it helpful to talk to other faculty who are teaching at the same educational institution or teaching the same subject matter. Often times instructors can receive very good classroom management and student retention strategies from their peers because they manage and teach the same sets of students and therefore know the student body the best. Often times our peers are best support system.
By utilizing on-line courses (ie ED102) and work shops, instructors can become aware of retention strategies as well as using search engines that relate to the subject. Also, by sharing strategies with veteran instructors is also a great source.
Hi Katie,
Well said. Early and often! This is what keeps them focused on staying in school. The easiest thing to do is fail. I share with my students that with failure you can blame others and never feel responsible for yourself. With success comes decisions of all kinds, where you live, car you drive, work you do, etc. Which position would you prefer making life decisions or letting someone else make them? I want them to see the value of the effort they are making.
Gary
I definitely agree with you that it's important to reach out early and often. If we reach the students early on, they won't feel as overwhelmed later on in the course when they are that much more behind. I find that checking multiple times in the first two weeks and then once a week is a good pattern to develop in the classes.
Something I find very important is to research, try various things out, discuss with other instructors and engage with the school you teach at for ideas. Although we may have some basic concepts of what works and doesn't work, it may not fit into each situation.
It's important to be able to see the numbers not only within our class in terms of retention but also within the same class and other sections along with the rest of the school. It's something that we should strive to achieve and not only let someone else worry about retention.
I do feel that part of this process comes with experience. It takes time for an instructor to develop their style and understand what catches students attention and what falls flat. I am certain that we have all seen both happen! I do find that the more student connect to the material and see how they will use it in the future, the better they retain it. This is certainly a plus in adult learning because most students have been in the workforce and have personal experiences. I thin that there is value in students understanding their own learning style. This may be a good thing for the instructor to address on the first day of class as well.
Lacey Finley
Hi David,
A clear understanding of the career goals of students is very important. This way you can help them achieve their goals and create a future for themselves.
Gary
Awareness and continual presence in the class regarding all students is needed. Taking a reading of students at risk, and taking the time and effort for effective outreach - early and often!
By becoming more aware of what is going on in admissions. By understanding the demographics of their classroom and gearing their classses towards the type of students they are seeing on a daily basis. By effectively caring and demonstrating that care to their students. Ask their students on their first day what exactly they expect from this class.
Hi Christine,
Student rapport is so powerful as a learning tool. The adult learner is very child like in many ways as he/she really wants to please the authority figure if they have respect and rapport with them. This leads to higher retention rates and personal satisfaction of achieving personal career goals.
Gary
The most effective way seems to be developing personal relationships -- i.e. learning names and background information of students as well as paying attention to personal learning styles and needs. That personal touch is what really keeps students wanting to come back to class. I find encouragement to be the best way to develop some kind of rapport. I try to find some way in which the class activities and learning objectives are applicable to the students and encourage them in those areas.
Hi Steven,
You are right about the need for personal attention. Students really like to know they are included in the course. This means emotional inclusion. If they feel respected and supported they will stay engaged at a much higher level.
Gary
I have found that engaging the students in conversation early in each class session helps to establish rapport, get me up to speed on most of the inevitable cross-discussions, and more quickly pick up on students with temporary issues that distract them from the material. They generally seem to appreciate the attention.
Hi Christopher,
You have developed a clear grasp of how complicated teaching really is. You are using a life time of experience to problem solve the learning needs of your students. Each day is a challenge but the rewards of having student "aha" moments are worth the effort.
Gary
Hi Linda,
I like your approach. You are showing the students how they can apply their newly acquired knowledge with the Q&A at the end of the session. They leave with a last review of what has been covered and what it means to them. This helps with retention of content.
Gary
It sounds cliché but it is simply a matter of trying different approaches and seeing which is most effective. As a new instructor I thought every thing should be black and white. Here are the rules, assigments, and expectations and you follow them to the letter. If a student was late or missed an assignment then the assumption was they were not interested in learning. However now I understand many students have different challenges(family,money,work,etc) outside of the classroom and you have to display a human side and be flexible.
Rapport is key to retention strategies. Students want to feel comfortable. So other than getting a sense of their knowledge and retention of knowledge with open-ended questions regarding material. I question their experience of the day's lesson during our round table. I'm interested in their likes/dislikes and giving them a voice on a daily basis.
Hi Matthew,
Good points about enthusiasm. It is key for all of us to keep the level of excitement about what we are doing and the benefits we get from doing it well. This is what are students need to see and hear over and over again. The old saying is "If it is meant to be, it is up to me." They have to invest the time and effort to be successful and the rewards will be theirs.
Gary
We use a course evaluation at the end of every course taught. The evaluation is nameless, allowing them to write freely, their true feelings towards the class, and how the class was instructed. The instructors and curriculum are rated 1 - 100, based on content, presentation, knowledge of the subject taught, enthusiasm for teaching the subject, proper supplies to complete the course in the lab and classroom, etc.
I think the biggest part of retention starts with ENTHUSIASM. I was taught about enthusiasm by a self-made millionaire, who told me "It's amazing what one man can do".
Enthusiasm doesn't mean that you will climb the ladder to CEO, but it does mean that whatever your position is in life, you will be the best at it you can be. Bringing enthusiasm into your teaching will translate into the biggest positive spin on the lesson of the day you can create. When students see that you're excited about the information, their natural curiosity will make them ask why.
It doesn't matter whether you're a dishwasher or a teacher, with enthusiasm, you'll be the best dishwasher or teacher you can be.
Students need to understand the concept, because not all students are cut out to be leaders, some will be followers, but they can still be the best at what they do with a little enthusiasm.
Hi Kathleen,
Good point about using technology to work for you. By using all the resources available to you you are helping to keep the students engaged in the learning process and helping to increase the retention rate.
Gary
