retention
I have not been teaching in a school for a long time. However, I have noticed that ounce you lay down course expections, students get a little intimidated. I feel like this has a lot to do with the rentetion in our facility.
And I suspect many of them relate to the expectations employers will have. Best to get used to them now but that must be clear to them.
I think that the rules that are being discussed, if misunderstood, should be clarified to the students, adult or otherwise. I think that establishing that these rules are in place to respect the fact that the students are there to learn and the intent is to provide a more learning friendly environment, they will realize the rules are established by an institution solely intent in their success.
Tracy, taking offense is one thing; understanding the requirement and complying is something else. If the rational for a rule isn't transparent, is there a forum where students can discuss their concerns?
It is important to have rules for professionalism, cell phone use, dress codes etc. But some adult learners will not abide by the rules just to show that they are in control of their person. It is possible that some adult learners take offense to being told how to dress and when they have to be somewhere. I do not think this is right, but it could have something to do with retention rates.
Sounds like a great culture of collaboration and support, Traci. What does the institution do to maintain these practices?
We have great success with retention. I think the key that has worked for us has involved a close relationship with one another as faculty, keeping us plugged in with the students progress in all of their courses as well as staying close to the students to continually monitor them as they go through the ups and downs of a rigorous program. This way we are knowledgeable and ready to better help them through their difficulties. We are never surprised when a student is doing poorly. We are ready to help them, usually approaching them before they approach us, which many times never would've happened. We truly care about their success, because their success is our success.
Ravelle, do think it's the course expectations or the way the expectations are presented that cause the feelings of intimidation?
When setting expectations wit adult learners we need to understand that an environment that seems like a prison filled with rules will scare them off. I work in a similar environment. People are in our schools trying to better their life though education, not gain stress through rules.
It is important to have disapline as they will need the skills in the work place. Our jobs is to make the material exciting enough and fun enough to make them want to stay.
