Ken,
You are right, but also remebering to look for signs of issues in terms of mannerisms, frustration, acting out, etc...
Charles
It has been my experience that retention has very little to do with my capabilities. A student will either accept that they need this class as a prerequisite of the program that they wish to complete and they will or will not accomplish their goal. I am unable to help them with medical issues, financial issues, transportation issues, and personal issues. Some people will quip at the personal issues comment but I feel that becoming involved in that area leaves me susceptible to violation of the fraternization policies. It also opens the door for a frivolous lawsuit by an unscrupulous litigator. In this day and age I trust no one.
It has been my experience that retention has very little to do with my capabilities. A student will either accept that they need this class as a prerequisite of the program that they wish to complete and they will or will not accomplish their goal. I am unable to help them with medical issues, financial issues, transportation issues, and personal issues. Some people will quip at the personal issues comment but I feel that becoming involved in that area leaves me susceptible to violation of the fraternization policies. It also opens the door for a frivolous lawsuit by an unscrupulous litigator. In this day and age I trust no one.
by cooridinating with counslers and other representatives to help students and prospective students with the transition into school and present students with identifiable concerns during their time in school. And by making yourself (ourselves) aproachable in and out of the classroom so at some level they may become comfortable enough to talk to us or someone in the adminestrative staff.
I think getting to know each student as best you can is a great step in retention. If you cant recognize a troubled student, and try to find a way to help them, you might lose them.
I think it is real important to understand the make-up of your class, what are the demographics, what are their backgrounds, why are they in the class, etc.
Retention strategies are all about understanding the students and what motivates them so that they can get the maximum out of the class.
I've observed that all students need encouragement, but that for some, it is a major driver to higher levels of achievement.
You can try something as simple as listening! If you are in the shop or lab and making it a point to walk around and re-assure, work with, or just watch what the students are doing it is amazing the amount of information that you can pick up on.
I have learned that by listening I can usually figure out who is getting ready to drop before they do. It is then important to try to find out why and solve the problem.
The other thought is just to try it all, if you respect your students and be open and available the students will come to you if they need help.
-Chris
Hi Jessica,
Well said about the rewards of being an instructor. This is why all of us stay in teaching because we are helping the next generation of professionals to take their place in the work world.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
I really like your approach. I know your students really benefit from your planning and strategies.
Gary
I agree that the key to retention is rapport. I try to take time before/after or during class breaks (when necessary) to discuss difficult challenges that students face, not only in the classroom, but in their daily lives. Often times these external classroom difficulties drain students of their motivation to succeed. I believe that my first goal as an instructor is to motivate. Through this effort my students know I care about their success.
Upon completion of my course students frequently return to discuss more challenges or just to say thanks. I truly believe that the effort of retention does not end once the student leaves my class. Taking the time to engage in even a short five min. conversation can have an enormous impact on a student’s life. May times students return and say that I told them something that changed their life. This is the fuel I use to walk into the classroom everyday and deliver instruction that I hope will impact and change their lives in a positive way.
During my pastry lectures,in addition to presenting information I also encourage students to participate in an interactive discussion of the material.On the last day of class for the week I ask them to think of a creative way in which we can apply what we discussed into creating an original pastry item for the following week.They return to class excited and eager to share their ideas, and very proud when their idea is chosen. In the first few weeks of class the number of students participating in the discussions grew dramatically and the enthusiasm has carried into the kitchen lab. In addition class attendance is excellent.
Instructors have several ways to recognize effective retention strategies in their classes. One important way involves the intepretation of body language.
I encourage faculty to give the students daily group exercises because when students are working together instructors have an opportunity to gleam valuable information from the non-verbal communication of the students. Paying attention to how students "look" when completing separate exercises provides for the instructor points of identification for learning later in the course. I call these points genuine learning moments because in them is the key to making connections with students. Once students feel the instructor is connected their success, learning happens at a deeper level
As a career college instructor, I think it is important to establish an employer/employee relationship with the students. After completing the second module...I am having second thoughts.
Help!
Thanks,
Dan
Hi Humberto,
Excellent point! That is what being a good instructor is really all about. Being a model and motivator for those that go the extra mile to be in class and are prepared. They want to learn because they know the new information they acquire will help them to have a better life.
Gary
Gary,
Numbers and metrics can give you an indication as to how effective your retention strategies are, but the real thing comes from those that are showing up to your class regardless of their challenges because you motivate them and inspire them to succeed wile maintaining a positive learning environment and adding real life value in the education they receive.
Hi Nirmala,
This is a good example of providing instructional support. Instructors need to look for ways they can support the learning process of their students so the students can stay focused on the content of the course rather than become frustrated by trying to decide what to study.
Thanks.
Gary
Students do get frustrated if theydonot pass their chaptertest So at the end of the chapter I give them word search list, so it makes easy for them to study what is important and they do not have to go through the chapter guessing what they should expect in the test.this makes their home studing more focused on the subject matter.
Hi Perry,
Glad that you got something that will be of help to you. Let me know how it works out for you.
Gary
I like your idea! We do similar evaluations and you are exactly right about how the students view the survey - "here we go again".
Thanks for the idea. I'll be using it next time!
Hi Teresa,
Good strategy. Anything you can do to help students get invested in the class is a good thing. You are doing that by asking for their input.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
