When the course and yourself are introduced to the students I have found that taking some time and giving examples of how they will benefit from the class goes miles. I have seen that taking an interest in the student as well as setting realistic yet challenging goals for them you have better retention more students complete the class and overall higher scores
All instructors need to develope a personal interaction on a professional level with each of their students. If a student feel he/she is just another number that student will more likely drop out when times get a littl tuff
Each group of students is different, it is very important to start a line of communication on day one to find their needs. This must continue on each day because it will change as they learn. We must keep up with their needs in order to maintain retention.
To become aware of effective retention strategies we must educate ourselves. We accomplish this by reading, enrolling in continuing education classes, and talking to fellow faculty. Understanding your student and connecting with them seems to be the most effective for me. I trust my students as I would want to be treated. This fosters a sense of mutual trust and respect. This rapport encourages the students communicate with me without feeling embarrassed about their situation whatever that may be.
I ask questions to the room that relate to the topic,but also tell a liitle background. For example i will ask if anyone has worked at all in the field we are training for, and often find several are, then i use some of their experiences to relate to topics we discuss.
Repore and retention, Hi Gary you spoke about repore with our students. I have had several problems with students when ever I try to develop a professional repore and it goes out side of the progect matter. I have become defencive lately and very uncomfortable talking with the students before or after class. I realise being a model and professional is important but not fun at all!
I feel one of the most effective way is to talk to other Instructors. Particuarly seasoned ones. As you get new ideas, look at what would work for you. Obviously not all suggestions will work with your personality and situation.
I agree with you 100% on how we are perceived as instructors, there is a fine line to being a helpfull instructor to being an instructor the thinks he's helping but isn't.TALK with the student and here there point of view nad make a decision accordingly.When you stop learning or feel that you can't learn anymore it's time to find another field.I LOVE to learn and I find that 99% of my students do also IF, it's put in a way that most all can relate/understand and the after task communication is there.
Retention is based on communication. If you are not communicating with your students and listening to what you say and they say all things can break down. We have to remember how we are perceived besides the spoken work can effect the students. It is a art to know and learn. I always think before I speak to make sure I provide good information, but again I have to listen and address issues from the students. I learn more every day.
There are a lot of things an instructor can do to be aware. Talk to the students on there level and see if there is anything that you as ther instructor can do to help whatever is bothering the student -- kinda like putting thing into perpestive for them. Sometimes it helps to just let them "VENT" and aproach the situation from a different angle. This seem to work for me and have had a lot of sucess in "Keeping that one" student in school instead of just giving up because they are afraid to speak there mind on certin things-- that could be enough to have them quit.Give a friendly ear and support -it goes a long way!
Hi Caleb,
Good examples of looking for positive role models for teachers. We can all learn by watching others do their jobs. We can see what we want to model from them as well as what we don't want to do from others. All of this helps us to become better at what we do.
Thanks for sharing.
Gary
The easiest way to become aware of effective retention strategies is networking. As the information has shown, being an "older" teacher doesn't mean you're good, so instructors need to network with successful teachers. I think it's pretty clear when you see a teacher who understands his students and is keeping them in the class. We always joke that there are three kinds of teachers: those idealists who wish to change the world, those who keep showing up because they just want a job and those who understand that it's about the students, meaning that teaching isn't for the teacher, like the first two examples. Teaching is about the actual change you make, not the fantasy you have and definitely not the rote behavior and activities that have carried you through the last twenty years.
Simple - there is no one perfect format. Instructor personality and classroom presence differ. Share best practices and find the grove that works. Above all though, make the focus, the process, and outcome consistent with policy.
Every day of class the instructor needs to be aware of any changes in the students that could lead them to leave the program. The key to retention is the instructor and some situations the instructor can can control and some external situations are out of your control.
If the students can see the end goal and how completing the course will give them a better life it will help retention.
Hi Alvin,
This is surprising to hear. Generally the students don't want to spend much time in the classroom but want to get out in the lab and do something. One strategy you might try is to do a mini-lecture of 10-15 minutes and then have the students perform lab work related to the lecture content. This way there is content and the application repeated in a pattern. As their knowledge increases and their skills develop they then will want to spend more time in the lab refining their proficient levels.
Gary
I find that by constantly showing the students that light at the end of the tunnel it keeps them enthusiastic about the course. Telling them short stories of former students that did well in the course and are now successful in the field. Allows them to see that if they apply themselves they can achieve what they came to trade school for in the first place.
My students learn the material in the classroom material but some donot learn from the lab and donot seem to be interested in it. Give some suggestions for refrigration lab.
Communication is the best effective retention strategy but I am limited due to strict fraternization policies.
Gordon:
During the lab phase of my class, I appoint a shop forman to help with some portions of the class.
There was a student I had a couple of classes ago
that seemed to get bored very quickly,so I appointed him shop forman.
He jumped in with both feet, and did an outstanding job.
If he was have continued to be bored, I think he would have lost interest in the class, and dropped out.
D Hayes
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reminding students that failures can be the best learning tools and making sure they understand where they got off track.
