Thanks randy.
These little things can help to set a positive mood for students. More important though, is the attention students get in the classrooms and labs. Are there specific things you do to show students they matter while they are in your class?
One way our school does attention. We do in class visits and try at least once a month to have an activity like popcorn day or muffin day to let the students know that they matter.
We interact with our students, stop and talk with them whenever we get a chance. Acknowledging is the first step. Our retention rate is good and I do believe its because our staff and instructors bond with the students.
Thanks, Brian. These should be very helpful to our peers.
As assistant director, my main responsibility is to support the students. I just realized that my focus tends to be the at-risk students due to their needs. For some odd reason, I do not establish a rapport with the students that do not need the additional support and are progressing well in their studies. I feel like I am doing a disservice to the non-at-risk students.
Keep in mind that these questions are the students evaluation of the instructor at the end of the course (phase).
Q1 How well were the course objectives outlined the first day of class ?
Q2 How well were the lab and class grading procedures outlined?
Q3 How would you rate the instructor on courtesy and attitude?
Q4 How well was the Instructor prepared for his/her class presentations ?
Q5 How would you rate the instructor during lab?
Q6 How would you rate the information you received in this course?
Q7 How well did the instructor maintain class control?
Q8 How well did the course materials communicate the subject matter?
Q9 Were the test questions appropriate for the instruction that was provided?
Q10 How would you rate the availability and function of the training aids in supporting the educational objective?
Q11 How would you rate the availability and function of the tools and lab equipment in supporting the educational objective?
Brian,
What are some of the 12 areas? Many of the other coursetakers may be interested in this information.
This is based on student input at our campus. At the end of each course each student rates the instrustor in 12 different catagories.
This is a very good strategy, Vincent. Too often, teachers do not keep is close enough contact with their students. regular feedback is vital.
Thanks, John.
Building rapport sets the stage for a great learning environment. How do you get your students "jazzed" about the subject each day?
The Instructors greet the students at the door with a smile and a good morning. After the bell rings and the students are signing in we move about the room having small talk about whatever they are jazzed about.
We have set a couple programs up here to pay attention to students. I actually hand-out progress reports and advisements to make the student aware of their progress. I also have them give me feedback by having them fill out a weekly evaluation of me, the cours and lab. This gives them individual communication.
Huong,
Thank you for your post. What do you do to check on student mastery of the course objectives other than give tests or quizzes?
It's very important that the professor need to check on his students once a while to see if all the students in his class do well or not.
Thank you, Peter.
Who conducts your classroom observations? How often are they conducted? What are some of the specific things the observer looks for?
Our school accomplishes this through classroom oberservation. We are provided with feedback on our performance and ways to improve.
Don,
Thanks for this post. I like to tell my friends in not-for-profit institutions who feel that making money off students is wrong is that we are the essence of what businesses should be. we provide a needed, valuable service for a fair price. We are edupreneurs.
I found that, prior to being an instructor, I had many years as an owner of a small business. I think the training I had as a business owner helps in understanding the school is a business and making a profit is not a bad thing.
Students are greeted daily by the president and vice-president of academics. The retention coordinator know many of the students by name and talks with them as well as follows up with them via phone. The student services amanger also interfaces with the students as do the department chairs and academic advisors. They are know both academically and regarding their personal issues so whe we see them we are able to encourage them.
Kimberly,
The team approach to working with students is always best. Keeping the Reps involved, especially in the students' first few terms, really helps.
You are fortunate to have a campus leader who also stays involved with individual students. That is not the case at all career colleges.
Recognition programs are also an important component of a successful campus. Most career colleges recognize perfect attendance and high honors. Some look for other ways to recognize students for things like "superior attendance" when they are there 90% of the time or for showing improvement over the previous term. Others recognize students for helping others on campus or in the community.
I look forward to interacting with you in other discussion forums.
