When students don’t interact with other members of the institution, particularly faculty, they will feel alone in the learning process and are more likely to drop out.
Make the effort to get to know them and treat them as humans
I believe effective retention strategies, are as follows, interact daily with every student, make them know that we are there for them, keep them engaged, and be sure to let them know, that we are here to see then succeed.
We become aware of retention strategies by being observant instructors. We should be able to recognize when one of our students could use an extra "pat on the back" or encouragement. We should also make sure that the students know of our availablity to them if needed for reassurance or extra help with anything they perhaps did not quiet get in the classroom. I think that we should also assist our students in not only goal setting for our classes but in recognition of attainment of those goals when they are achieved. Student retention is one of the most important componants of education as you cannot teach them if they are not there.
This is especially true with so many in the career college setting. Just being available in the hallway to stop and listen can be the most important factor in them feeling there is someone on their side.
A good way of effective retention would be to apply everyday lessons with practical application. The responses of the class would dictate if retention is being adhered too. The more you relate the subject to life and how it can either make or change it outcome would leave a more sound impression
Hi Matthew,
Good grade rubric. I like the way you have it laid out and it is consistent as well as fair for your students. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
I also teach Math, Medical Math (dosage calculations, etc) and health information statistics,etc.
To increase student confidence, I always give enough points(%) so that no one test, quiz, lab
exercise, student participation, etc. can make or break a grade (i.e. A, B, C, D)
And, to resolve grade inflation statistics:
my scores are as follows:
A - 94% - 100%
B - 84% - 93%
C - 74% - 83%
D - 64% - 73%
It is important that every student is invited to participate in class discussions and activities. Some would sit and not talk at all if you let them. Without putting them on the spot each student should have the chance to get share what they know and/or need to know. If you assign everyone to respond to a question or point of discussion, they won't feel that they are being singled out.
Through primarily institutional support..something I have had.....and it is very helpful!!!
Hi Aquila,
Good point about student support. Older students need to be reassured that they can be successful in the course if they will put forth the effort. So the more encouragement that can be given the better.
Gary
Many of my students have been out of school for several years and are therefore a little nervous and uncertain about returning to school. The responsiblity of the instructor is to help the students feel valued and that you respect them. It is also important to learn their names as soon as possible. Also showing a certain level of patience with the students will help them to feel comfortable and be more willing to remain a part of the class.
Hi Anita,
This is what I do as well in my classes. I agree with your assessment as to how valuable this time is in establishing relationships and rapport. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
One way at my institution, is to follow college policy on student absences. As instructors, we are required to call each student that misses a class and has not contacted us prior to the missed class period. When we do call and are able to contact the students, we can help them understand what is needed to stay, or get back on track in the course.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for sharing your success with the packages with us. I know this information will be valuable to other online instructors that are trying to decide just how to measure content retention.
Gary
Hi Jeremy,
So true. Everyone likes to feel accepted and by welcoming each student into the class an instructor is setting the stage for a positive learning experience as well as class.
Gary
Hi Lisa,
This is a good point in terms of instructional planning. By knowing this information a strategy of support can be developed and then implemented to the benefit of each student.
Gary
When students take their 10 minute breaks, I remain in the classroom to chat with the students who have not left. They frequently voice concerns and ask questions, when most of the other students are out of the room.
I teach math and have found that students benefit more from me helping them solve problems (which for each person is different) than lecturing.
There is a strategy, where the assignment is to watch youtube or recorded lectures on the assignment on you their during the evening and then the in class activity is to practice (do the h/w problems) the assignment. As an instructor, I move from student to student helping them with the h/w. In this way each student gets the individualazation they need in learning to apply the material.
This is a very important and interesting question. Specifically, how do we really know if material is retained?
I teach Math and retention is very important in Math, because math truly builds on previous material. If you haven't learned and retained earlier material, you will most definetly struggle with later material. So retention is critical.
There are two aspects to retention in math, first, intial understanding, second, practice to acquire mastery of the skill. Unfortunately, there is no substitution for practice which takes time and repetition. Although the amount of time and practice varies for each individual. None the less, some amount of practice is necessary.
Luckily, I teach online and there are several online s/w packages that help with this (MML and ALEKs).
I have taugh with and without the packages and have found that students learn and retain the material much better when the packages are required and liberally utilized.
