That is a good approach. I tell students the only things that separate an instructor from a student are time and practice.
By getting to know the individual student. Basic things, like calling the student by name are important. Also, learning what the student hopes to receive from the course and/or lecture and delivering it to the student in some way, every class, is important.
Hi Robert,
This approach is so important for adult students. Respect and rapport will come from speaking "to" them rather than at them. Good points for every instructor to remember as he/she enters the classroom.
Gary
When speaking with students I speak "to" them and not down to them. I also try to explain that we are all in the same industry, I have just been here longer and am passing on information.
We discuss how it will benefit them and how it will effect their paycheck knowing this info.
I find the that how I treat them and get them to have fun positivly effects their retention in their class
Increasing student retention needs all university personnel helping each student to succeed with encouragement and feedback. We can't do their assignments but we can always be there to give them direction.
This kind of impact is definatly the reason that i love my job so much!
Hi Carrie,
I love stories like this because they serve to motivate us instructors to keep doing what we are doing. You are having an impact on this woman's life and as a result she is making progress toward her career goal. This is what teaching is all about.
Gary
I believe truly listening with a '3rd' ear helps students feel valued. Reflecting back what they have said lets them know they have been heard. Sometimes we are so intent on teaching we forget to truly hear what the student is trying to convey both verbally and nonverbally.
I think by making the effort to get to know your students on a more personal level, finding out waht goes on in their life when they are not in class, and what kind of pressures they deal with at home. I had a student that was thinking about dropping out and we meet and I gave her resources and support to show her that she could make it through the program and showed her the benifits of staying in school to better her future and that of her children. She still comes to me when the going gets tough for a pep talk and to vent her frustrations in a non-judgemental environment
Even though the administration takes care of attendance and following through, I always ask students at the first meeting to text me personally if they are going to be late or absent. I think this allows a layer of responsibility, they know that someone cares if they are not in class. In the semester system I used to get everyone's emails, but the courses at my current college are 8 weeks long, that makes it a little tricky.
Get to know each student personally.
Be early, stay late (as possible) to talk to the students about non-course subjects.
Call students the first day they are absent.
Give them ways to get in touch with you that they want to use (i.e. via text, fb if your school allows, cell). So many times I hear that students can't/won't call my desk extension. If they have my cell phone, however, I hear from them.
Work with the school's student services department to try to be proactive rather than reactive.
I believe in getting out amongs my students during production time of class. As most of our students work in teams often you can hear them discussing life problems that will prevent them from getting to class. I will address this after class with the student and try to point them in the right direction for help.
As an adjunct instructor, i share my professional experience with the students as it relates to the topic and then ask them to share their own experience, past or present as it relates to the topic. It makes for an active discussion in class and keeps the students engaged.
In order to increase student retention. Provide a positive and enthusiastic learning environment. Also give each student some level of personal attention.
I would start by addressing any issue(s) the student may be having making them fell the need to leave. If I am unable to assist the student I make sure they get to the correct department to help or assist them. Hopefully the issue will be addressed.
As an instructor I let the student know what is expected from the beginning of class. When students enter the class a create an atmosphere that is warm and caring, because this creates a wonderful environment. I start class with an open discuss about the reading material and then i give a pop quiz to make sure that the student understands the material.
Hi Amy,
I have been where you are in particular with the one student that refuses to become engaged in the course. I will extend myself to help and support such a student to a point and then I will remove the student from the class. The student is paying to be in the course and as a result should value the content that is being shared. When such a student doesn't appreciate having the chance to go to school I encourage such a student to step out of school until such time he/she is ready to benefit from school. There are too many students that desire to learn and benefit from being in school that need my time to waste effort on a student that doesn't care. To me it is sad when a student doesn't value the opportunities being presented.
Gary
Some students may require a little more time to complete projects. I find that if I am reasonably flexible (I teach online) with them they don't tend to take advantage of this. Online learners are largely adult learners, so their world is full of work, family, and other stressors that sometimes causes time to get away from them. Having understanding and empathy during these situations has proven more useful than the rigid, disciplined method I used when I was new. I still maintain standards and sometimes I will have to say no, but I find that the students are more understanding when they know I am fair. I always give reasons for my no, and I will also give rules with my yes. My hardest issue is students who come into the class and never really seem to have had any intent to participate or pass in the first place. This frustrates me and I struggle to understand and reach these students. I can't fathom this attitude towards education (I spent ten long, hard years for mine and I worked more than one job and owe tons of money in loans), and I have a natural inclination to shun them. So far my most used method has been avoidance. The few times I've tried to reach them, it has either been disastrous or had no results at all. Right now, I have a student who has been in my course twice in a row and has never done the work or passed. His behavior has been identical in both course attempts, and nothing I say has any effect - to him, his advisors, or anyone who I mention it to. It's supremely frustrating. I would love to know how to retain these students and have them succeed in the class (or at least improve, that would even be welcome!).
An instructor could increase student retention by demonstraighting that you care about the welfair of the student. First, learn thier names, and where they are from. Second, at the beginning of the class have a warm up session to bring the past information to the forfront of thier minds. Third, sometimes it's okay to give them time to vent about thier day if need be. They won't be able to consentraight until they can clear thier mind.
I think it is important to develop rapport with students. Also, we need to take the time to check in on students and when we see them getting behind or out of sync, to immediately get there with them instead of hoping it works itself out.
