Not a whole lot. We are a privately owned institute that provides an excellerated course for our students. Alot of course material is provided/instructed in a short time frame. We are focused more on sticking to the outlined syllabus. Our instructors often create new ways of making material fun, and easier to aquire, but ideas must first be run by administration, with minimal results.
Donna,
Thanks for this post. The most important part of a call to a student is the support we offer them.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I teach in a clinical program so I know my student's well. My call to them is very personal. I ask them if they're ok and tell them I missed them in class. IF there are any issues that I can help resolve I offer assistance. My students know that if they're not in class they will be missed and that I will check up on them. They realize that they can't "fly under the radar".
Thanks, Donna. Many career colleges call their absent students. The key to the success of these calls is the spirit of the call. What do you do to make these calls effective?
Jeffrey Schillinger
We call students if they miss class and closely monitor their progress and intervene early if necessary.
To touch base with the students and offer support in the event that there are obstacles that might result in excessive absences. If the stucent is experiencing some challenge that might threaten his scholastic career a simple phone call can make all the difference.
Attention=Retention
Jorge,
What is the focus of these calls?
Jeffrey Schillinger
The chef managers continually come around to observe each kitchen/classroom every day.
We as instructors are encouraged to call students when they are absent. Our lead instructors call all absent students on a daily basis.
Janet,
You are fortunate to have such good leadership at your school.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We have the very best Chef managers and they regularly meet with all of us and come to our kitchens daily to ensure that we have 100% focus upon our students. I also send daily notes about the progress of my students to my students and to managers. We are the most focused school ever and I am proud to be a part of this team of caring nurturing individuals that I fit so well into.
Donald,
One good technique for identifying this is to have students write a short note at the end of the class meeting telling the teachwer about the "muddiest point" of the lesson.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Students are asked numerous questions regarding the objectives stated, content delivery and class control. they are also asked to rate the condition of training aids as well as how test questions relate to the course content delivered.
The feedback has shown me that no two classes are alike and something that works for one class may not work the same in the next class. If I get negative responses on amy topic relating to my delivery of content or class control or any other category, I try to adjust my delivery in the next class.
Donald,
Please share one specific thing you learned from these surveys that caused you to adjust your teaching style.
Jeffrey Schillinger
In our school, the students do an evaluation of the class and instructor doing the teaching to ensure that the students are:
1. Satisfied with the course, it's content and the insturctors ability to deliver the information in a satisfactory manner.
2. Satisfied with the tools/training aids used to present the course content.
3. satisfied with the support services staff.
I find that the survey is quite helpeful from an instructor standpoint in that it provides feed-
back to me whick helps me adjust my delivery based on the type of learning styles in the class.
Dr. S.,
What you describe are the best practices used by the best career colleges. Your students are fortunate to attend your school.
Jeffrey Schillinger
There are many things that I do enjoy and appreciate about my school and one of them is its ability to reach out to the students by:
-Assigning them to an advisor
-Tutoring/Mentoring program available to all
- Calling them when they are falling behind, or giving them a 'pat in the back'. *calls from instructor and advisor.
-have a different Career services and assistance with certification exams.
I find that many of the students I contact via course mail are getting contacted by their student advisor, so I find that we try to focus on the learner in all angles,and it also helps to increase communication between staff so we can better assist our learners.
The lecture mentioned holding the student accountable, and this is something that I try to implement in the course room, by perhaps telling the learners a personal story of when I was an online learner and I was accountable for my work by the due date, etc. One of the important things that I appreciate regarding the attention equals retention is that we have to be models for our students, setting an example of what is expected, but also mentoring them as well.
Cheers
Dr. E. Somnarain
as i walk around campus every day, i make a point to say hello and smile to every single student i encounter.
Blossie,
I am glad this works for you. Establishing a community to which individuals are responsible and/or can turn to for support is essential to success.
Jeffrey Schillinger
One area that shows all departments are concerned with the students is attendance. Prior to getting a new class, the Student Services Department informs the instructors if there are any "at risk" students ( students who have previously failed and may be close to academic suspension) scheduled for their course. This gives us a heads-up to pay close attention to these individuals. On the first day of class, if any student is absent, the instructor sends an E-mail to all of the Education Managers and all of Student Services so the absent student(s) can be contacted and follow-up performed. The Student Services Department monitors this progress.
