Instructors might try getting real feedback from retention coordinators about students that decided to stay in school, and what influences their instructors had on their decision to continue their studies.
Making sure EVERY day that they are ok and ready to go forward, if not finding ways to help them sooner than later
I believe strongly that the Human Factor discussed is a key to student retention. I make sure that I not only learn their names, but the correct way to pronouce them as well. There is nothing more important to someone as their name, and it it makes a significant impact if you make sure you are prouncing the name correctly as well. Sometimes this can be a little challenging, but it is amazing how much they appreciate that you took the time to care.
Taking classes such as this do help in learning about retention strategies. Networking with other instructors can also increase awareness of retention strategies. I think I am benefitting from this class on retention strategies. It helps me pinpoint what I am doing well and points out other things that I can do better.
I try to do those things too -- stopping to talk to them when I see them outside of class. I also think that it makes them feel just a little more important when (like you said) you care enough to pay them some attention!
I think that is always a wonderful way to aid retention -- let your students know that you care.
Hi Earle,
This is a good point about encouraging students be they incoming or past students. This is a continuum of support that is needed for many students to keep them focused on the total training program that they are working through.
Gary
I don't limit it to my current class. I try to keep tabs on both current and previous students and will inquire as to their ongoing success and achievement. Occasionally I have found it easier to motivate students in other classes since I have been able to learn their personal learning styles and can encourage them and remind of them of pitfalls to watch out for.
Hi Barton,
Good points. Listening is a powerful learning tool that instructors often overlook in their preparation to teach. By collecting some information about students a connection can be made because you are demonstrating your interest in them as human beings as well as students.
Gary
Hi Linda,
Just be being able to chat a little about something of personal interest with students builds a connection between you and them. This is the basis for respect just as you mentioned.
Gary
An instructor can become of effective in retention strategies by plan a strategy and assess how effective the action was. There may be several revisions to the plan, but through trial and error, the instructor can determine which strategy is best suited by different types of students.
Two very general approaches I've seen to learning does or does not work in retaining students include the following:
1) Listen to your colleagues. Retention is often discussed among faculty and administration on our campus. The Dean of Students and her staff hear students' complaints and challenges every day. They are especially knowledgeable.
2) Talk with your students. I'm getting better at talking with students about how their educational experience is going. That includes stopping to talk with them when I see them in common areas of the campus, even when they are no longer in my classes. Sometimes the conversations are meaningful, but I think usually the most meaningful thing is that I cared enough to pay attention to them.
Communication with your students will keep you in touch.
I think when students and instructors create a personal bond or understanding, students are much more likely to come to class on a regular basis. Students who really enjoy the subject material are likely to come to class regularily, but I also think that even if students aren't fond of the educational material, if they have that bond with the instructor they will not want to let them down and therefore come to class.
I believe that your need to establish a connection with your students. I try to greet them, inquiry about personal things--maybe, a sick child. I also encourage their suggestions and try to incorporate these. I also believe that it is important to relate real life experiences where a skill and/or knowing certain concepts is beneficial. They often come up with these examples. Respect is critical.
Instructors need to educate themselves in teaching strategies as well as retention strategies and focus on providing a good environment for instruction. Communicating with and encouraging students is a necessity to making them a part of the process.
Hi Gina,
Good point. Listening is a very powerful learning tool and we instructors need to learn from our students. By listening to them we can get a very clear picture of where they are coming from and how they are perceiving the course content and then we can act accordingly to meet their needs.
Gary
I think it's important for your students to feel like they are being listened to. If they take the time to vocalize an issue they may be having they have to have someone on the other end paying attention even if the issue can not be solved.
I think communication with both students and faculty is a good way to become aware of effective retention strategies for use in their class. I like reading through these forums for ideas and techniques others are using successfully as well as speaking with administrators who were previously instructors and can understand the issue(s) and have a lot of experience to share.
For example, while content is important, I have shifted to being more varied and creative in delivery based on the ideas of others. It seems to work as the students are more active in inquiry and production and yawn much less while I am speaking.
Specifically, after a short period of time I can assess the "fast" students vs the "slow" students and I encourage a"fast" student to partner with a "slow" student. I don't call them fast and slow, I just encourage them to become partners, in seating arrangment, in email correspondence, in study preparation etc...This has worked for my classes and students.
asking other instructors what works well - which strategies are more effective for what type of learner - also - listening to the feedback the students give you as an instructor often is a key to modifying a strategy
