Hi Christopher,
Thank you for the good comments about how to be supportive to your students while increasing their retention in the course. The human factor is so important to the educational process. We, instructors can never forget that as we work with our students.
Gary
Hi Mark, I agree, the standards that we typically use are usually effective too late in the game, unless you can apply the information towards your future courses. I too like to see how my students are doing prior to each class I teach. This not only gives me a "feel" for the class mood that day, but also helps me understand why they are in that particular mood. Awesome Posting, Chris Graves.
Hi Jeannine, I agree, praise is one of the keys to success. I just put that in perspective with my own children and realized how praise has helped keep their interest in our discussionsand how they wanted to keep learning because they heard something that was positive and useful. Great Posting, Chris Graves.
Hi Thomas, getting feedback is a great idea. It just dawned on me that there is usually a form that asks for feedback at the end of each of my courses. This is a great opportunity for me to get to understand how I teach from my students perspective. Good Job, Chris Graves.
Instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies in their classroom by understanding the needs of their students. Personally, I try to get "involved" with my students personal life's, briefly of course, by getting to know who they are and what is their motivating factors for being in class. Once I know that, I can assist my student by helping them create goals and timeframes to succeed based on the environment they have around them. In other words, I treat each student as an individual and get to know them to the point where they understand that I am an Instructor that is there to help them reach their goals. Sometimes you are a counselor, sometimes a friend, but at all times the person that is leading them down the path that they want to reach, without crossing any lines. Thanks, good question, made me think a little bit, Chris Graves.
Instructors have to be willing to experiment with different methods of instruction to harnest and maintain students attention.
BEING ABLE TO RECONIZE THE STUDENTS NEEDS
Hi Eulalia,
Good strategy for getting to know your students and helping them get comfortable in the class. This way you have started developing respect and rapport from the beginning of the class.
Gary
I agree with this strategy. I find it very helpful to allow extra time with the class because there are students who wait to see that you are available for them after a class. Some students are shy and are willing to wait until most students are gone.
I make use of the introductory part of the class to get to know the students, their background, and their professional and academic goals. This will give mean opportunity to incorporate positive feedbacks and suggestions when I get a chance to communicate with the student.
Hi Jessica,
This sharing is important because the students start to see you more from the human perspective. Many times students forget that all of us instructors are former students ourselves. We worked, struggled and conquered our schooling to get where we are and we did it just like they are currently doing, so we really do understand where they are coming from.
Gary
Being one on one with a student is important, it shows you care about the student. If someone asks a question or participates, give them your full attention. This creates empathy.
Hi Robert,
This seems like a little thing but it is important to students. By knowing they can chat with you a little before or after class they know you are accessible and that is important to students. They know you will answer their questions and listen to their concerns so they can move on with the course.
Gary
I often tell students of my own personal experiences in college. I do this so they understand that I was not born with the knowledge I have. So many instructors do not want their students to relize that they were once students. I try to always put myself in their shoes and it helps me to understand any of the struggles that they are having.
Being there before and after class allows students to talk to you one on one if they need help with issues about the class.
Talk to the students. What do they like, what do they not like. Apply what is pracitcal and disregard what is not practical. But communicate back to the student. Explain why it is not practical and for the most part they will understand. Bend and be flexible where you can. By being flexible where you can, the studuents will see this and know that you will help where possible. For me it comes down to effective communication.
Hi Debbie,
So true and so important. The students need to see a human being in front of the class as well as a professional educator. A majority of career success is based upon the ability to get along with other workers. By using real world examples and showing your students you are there to support them you are serving as a career successful model.
Gary
Yes i totally agree that displaying empathy or emotional intelligence is very important to a student's success. As instructors, we should not try to rule with an iron fist and not try to be compassionate or demonstrate to students that we understand. That is the fastest way to get students to quit. I purposely try to invoke things that happened to me in college, to show my human side and show that i was one in their shoe, therefore, i understand.
Consistent positive feedback and encouragement for students is very important to their success. When students receive positive feedback (although they may not be doing so well) it will give them the motivation and the will to complete assignments on time and with a level of quality that is relevant to the class.
Hi Timothy,
Well said. This is what a comprehensive approach to the instructional planning should be like.
Gary
