William--
Creating opportunity for peer support as you describe is a great retention tactic.
Susan
allowing more time for interacton between students. getting them to exchange phone numbers and discuss where the live will help them form a network of saftey nets to help with transportaion issues as well as study groupes and comradery among the students and form lasting relationships.
Over the years, I have found the most effective method to get the students immediatley involved & connected to our online college is to post an Announcement on the Course Home page Welcoming them to the class and inviting them to the 1st Live Chat session.
While the Live Chat archives are available to those students that can not attend, they have proven to be the most effective tool for reaching the students in an online environment.
Audio, text, and screen capturing capabilities make this a great communication tool for covering detailed information about each week's topics & assignments. It allows me to clarify any misconceptions while answering specific questions raised by the students.
It also allows me to recommend study habits & resources that typically help to improve the student's performance in the class which translates into feeling more connected to the school.
In addition, students can interact among themselves thereby allowing them to fell more connected to their classmates.
While my notes provide alot of information in a text format, I find the audio capability is what really enhances my coverage of the topics. Since I am not constrained by my typing speed, I am able to provide may real-world examples in a very short time frame.
These examples allow the students to get a better grasp on how the information is actually applied, which leads to better comprehension, assignment results, and connectivity to the class. The audio capability also allows me to get off the topic when needed & resume quickly.
I have found the screen capture tool to be very effective as well when I want to explain a block of programming code or present a networking diagram for a specific type of network. This tools is also very effective for presenting (PowerPoint slide) an Annoucement about the activities at the school which help the students feel more connected with other activities outside of their current classes.
we really try to get the communication around during the first 3 weeks of school with special events that will be happening and encourage them to attend. We will visit each classroom (which makes them feel more appreciated) to welcome them.
First I introduce myself and let them know that this is going to be the best time of there life!!From there I get all into groups and have a bit of a discussion session as to what each one has done to get here at school.I try to get them hands on a soon as possible with some pre planned activitys related to what they will be learnning that will inhance there exp in the course.This usually gets them in the 'Learnning mode with enthusiasum!
Donald--
This is excellent! You certainly take the time to be prepared and welcoming to your students. Kudos!
Susan
Michael--
You are absolutely correct. Keeping students focused on the end goal (a career) is critical. Unfortunately, sometimes 'life' gets in the way and they lose track of that. We need to continually remind them.
Susan
The most effective measures I can take at the classroom level would be providing a clear description of course content and course structure, a clear set of boundaries regarding classroom behavior and punctuality, a clear set of expectations regarding class work, and then consistantly and fairly adhering to all of the above.
The first day of class, I am in the room ahead of the students, setting up the powerpoint projector, and any training aids I am going to be using. As they come in I welcome them individually, and hand them a workbook.
When the bell rings for the beginning of class, I am already in front of them writing my name on the board. I turn to welcome them, and introduce myself, give a brief background, and proceed to go down the attendance roster saying their names to make it easier to remember them.
I will engage them in discussions about their interest in the subject, and ask what their expectations are for the class.
The main goal that I have for the first day, and the entire period is to make them feel comfortable, and relaxed. You absorb, and retain more in a relaxed atmosphere.
I believe that during orientation if we would tell the students exactly what they could expect and where the career they are training for will take them, they would feel more connected to the school, have a greater sence of belonging, and will have a greater likly hood of completing the program.
Mohammed--
Right you are! Sounds like you do a great job.
Susan
after I introduced myself and shared my background and experience with the class I have the students introduce themselves and talk about their backgrounds and their goals.
We than discuss goal-setting in detail and later encourage to develop a buddy-system where students exchange phone numbers so that they can help each other when the need arises.
The first day in class with the instructor is very important after the orientation as the instructor has to build on the students confidence in the instructor , the institution and the program they have enrolled in. It has to reinforce what they have learnt in orientation.The students have to be constantly reminded of the light at the end of the tunnel and encouarged constantly to keep them at a high confidance level to achieve the goals they might have set.
Amanda--
I understand completely. The type of activity is very important. We definitely don't want to talk down to the students or make it feel like 3rd grade when we had to tell 'what I did on summer vacation' :) Done well, it can really help them and the instructor.
One of the most interesting ones for me was in a graduate class when we had to introduce another student. It requires that you actually listen and also reveal the things about ourself that you want others to know.
Susan
We have an orientation for the students where they can a) get books b) meet classmates c) learn about the various departments d) get ID badges. Basic standard orientation stuff.
Lately I'm teaching more upperclass students in my actual classroom so I don't do an 'icebreaker' activity on day one like I did when I was teaching brand new students. I confess: when I was in school myself, I hated these activities. I was more focused on learning and classroom acitivites than 'what is your favorite color' type stuff that made me felt talked down to. As a result I'm reluctant to do those activities but I understand they help some students to open up.
Thomas--
That is an excellent point that I don't believe anyone has brought up yet...and that is getting them involved in other ways with the institution.
If your school has any professional or extra-curricular activities, these are excellent ways to help students get connected with each other and feel more apart of the institution.
Susan
Implement class pictures,share goals,have an encouraging and supprtive classroom enviroment ..going back to basics,it will absolutely make students be more connected to the classmates & the school.(It really makes a difference)
I like to show my enthusiasm for the class and hope it spreads so as to make a connection. I will also talk about any activities that the school or the local community may have for the students to get involved in to help get them connected early on.
When I taught a class that was one of the earliest classes in the school, I would introduce myself and tell how I came to be teaching at the school and then ask the students to introduce themselves and tell what made them want to attend our school. One of the things I paid a lot of attention to was their names, that way when I had to call on them during class I would not embarrass them or myself by mis-pronouncing their names in front of the class.
I not only mention my qualifications and back ground, I point out the Qualifications of my fellow instructors as well.
