An instructor can increase student retention by providing students with an environment that allows for open communication regarding likes and dislikes. The instructor can listen and offer guidance and offer the resources that are available to help in a situation of distention.
The instructor can also maintain an atmosphere of respct towards the students.
Hi Cassie,
This is a great way to help the students to start bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world. Plus it really ramps up their interest because they get to see examples of what they are going to be seeing when they are out in their own practice setting.
Gary
I think a great way to get students to retain what we teach them is applying it to everyday life. I work full time in my career field and teach part time. So I find it very useful to share my day to day expierences with the students. Not only do they like hearing the stories and learning about the situations they then have something to relate it to. One of my favorite things to do is in my imagaing class. I bring in some of the "cool" radiographs from the clinic I work at. The students get to see some of the unusal things that happen in the day to day practice that they would not get to see at school. I think it helps to get them excited to learn the material so they can apply it to the real world.
An instructor can increase student retention by understanding each student's career major and career goal. In many of my classes, which are general education courses in communications, I have a mix of majors. For example, in one session I might have accounting, medical, computer, and marketing students. Being sensitive to their particular needs, I can design class activities and assignments that pertain to individual objectives. Some assignments will have bearing on all course dicsiplines; some will be highly specific. Nonetheless, students will sense gain and learning when subject matter directly impacts thier career paths.
Hi Jason,
You raise a very good point concerning those students that find themselves in a setting that is not for them. We instructors along with other college officials need to provide support and encouragement to students so they make career choices that are meaningful and realistic for them. This can include having them go into another career field. This is a service we are providing students because if there is a career mismatch then the students are not going to be happy working in a field that they don't want to be in.
Gary
Instructors can help foster retention by providing a fair and safe enviorment conducive to learning. However instructors can help struggling students see the light and make it to the end of the tunnel with support. We as instructors must take care some students can not or should not be retained due to outlying factors beyond their control. We need to be supportive as instructors when students decide they need to drop or move on.
Hi Laura,
This is a good point about early student contact. When entering a new setting have a name or a voice to connect with is so important to help an individual to get settled into their new environment. They know they have someone they can call on should they need assistance.
Gary
At another college we are going to start calling students in their first class. Help the student realize that their instructor is a person. That there is actually someone on the other side of the computer.
I am hoping by being the first to initiate contact with the student the student will be more likely to ask for help when they need it. Instead of waiting until it is too late.
Hi Laura,
This is so true. We all get anxious when we are waiting for the results from something. Quick feedback really helps to reduce those fears.
Gary
Instructors need to be involved and provide personalized feedback. Students feel like they matter when instructors respond quickly to student's requests.
Hi Savitri,
Your point about the need to keep trying to identify the instructional needs of students is a good one. With larger classes online the key is communication. Keep communicating with the students and you will start to see what the different learning needs are of different groups of students are and how you can support those needs.
Gary
Students need to know that you care about them by trying to diagnose their needs and providing that special attention. This encourages them to work harder as well as being enthusiastic. This personal attention in combination with delivery methods do not always work. What about online classes when the class size is over 30 students?
Hi Matthew,
Faculty rapport with students is very important. Your effort to create this with your students is a great way to get them to see you in a different light. Helps you connect with them and their growth in the field.
Gary
Hi Roy,
That is to bad because it takes out a great opportunity for follow up when students are about to drop out. I am sure their retention rates are much higher than those colleges that follow up with their students.
Gary
I try to learn the students names, first and last as quickly as possible, that always helps.
Also, I address them outside of class if I see them in the hall, or in the lounge. I try to talk about anything but class outside of class to get a personal rapport going. You become more "human" to them just by a simple likeness like having the same kind of dog.
When we come back from holidays or weekends I ask the class how their weekend was, and what if anything have they been cooking lately!
Some companies in the teaching industry are not allowed to call or email students at home or via their cell phones. This makes retaining students much harder as those that do not come to class are usually the ones that do not make it.
Hi William,
This statement drive me crazy. I hear this too frequently myself. I don't want to be around people like this because they are not professionals and life is too short to spend it with people who don't care about what they do. I just hope they these individuals will leave the field quickly.
Gary
Instructors can increase retention by asking what the students want - then delivering it. This all relates back to the course objectives and goals - that enables the students to feel that they are connected to the direction of the class and not just sitting on the side lines watching the teacher act out the lessons. Interaction amongst students, the teacher, and guest speakers rally the interest around various topics which I feel help maintain retention and make for an exciting class.
I hear "I'm only here to teach" far too often.
Again positive feedback, helps and relaxes the student. Calling and just talking to them in the hallways and in class as well. To me makes them want to come to class and show up on time and do all the work that you ask of the student.
