Retention is not only important to student success, but as teachers we need to realize the impact of our classroom management skills, especially the value of influencing the student early on in the class. "They" say that rapport is established in the first minute or two of meating someone - not a very big window of opportunity for us teachers!

I found the most important aspect of this learning module to be the emphasis on teacher enthusiasm. I have long known that if I'm bored, the studernts are. Moreover, delivering the content with vim and vigor helpt draw the students into the learning and increases their skills.

This may sound off to some, "Easy Student Retension", but if you think about it, really think about it, it should be easy. We have students sign up for classes that we teach. I have work in my profession many , many years and I still love what I do. Now I teach it and have been for 7+ years, so I'm a new teacher to many. I bring excitement, honesty, and field experience, to the playing field. We all have had some poor curiclum to work with, it is presentation skills, and relating it to the field the students will be in, and asking them what thier input is. Let students lead in demos and instead of correcting them as an instructor, ask the group what they think of the process that this group is presenting. Bring the students into the learning process, let the students take some responsibility for their education, let them be involved in what they have chosen as a class. They love this as they feel they are learning by being proactive in the process. Now of course we can't let the class run a muck, we need guidelines, guidance, structure and a formate to do this. Once you try this 2 or 3 times you find ways to keep it interesting, keep students involved and keeps them in the courses that they want.

What are some fun ways to engage students if you teach online?????

What do you do specifically for your students that you feel has the best impact on student retention?

I just had to mention how this section really has left me empowered and excited about my next quarter. Perhaps it woke me up about some of my own shortcomings, but it supplied me with a nice road map so my own stages of burnout through the quarter does not negatively impact student retention. Eric

Hi all, I was curious if anyone out there had specific, tested tips for increasing retention in an online learning environment. This has been helpful, but would still like to hear more about specific online tips. Thank you! Eric

In order to succeed in student retention students need to know you care. We've all heard the saying that goes something like "they don't care what you know until they know that you care". Once they know I have their success in mind, then we've started the process of building a firm foundation for success in the course. Also, struggling students often are scared to ask questions so it's important to be open in class and encourage everyone to ask questions regardless of how silly they feel the question might be.

As I believe Madeline Hunter stressed, saving a student's dignity is so important. When a student offers an answer that is incorrect, the tendency is to reply "no, that is not it." Using phrases like, "You may be thinking of . . ." to look for something correct to help save face is an important motivator as students soon learn your class is a safe learning environment.

I find usually the last couple of weeks of my classes many students are just completely tired and ready for the class to be over. They have tons of papers, projects and group work and many of them seem drained. What are some suggestions to keeping up with motivation and helping them get excited about nearing the end of the class. Many of the students I work with just kind of have a get it over with attitude. I've tried a number of things and being creative has helped, but generally students are difficult during this time period to get them really motivated.

In my experience, I've found that playing music the first day of class is really helpful for setting the mood for my courses. I usually select something upbeat or interesting. For example, I had a dance mix of Latin and African sounds that was really fun. A lot of students were intrigued to find this playing in the classroom and it opened the door to many conversations. Building rapport on day one is critical, so choosing a great ice-breaker is helpful as well. I really enjoy doing two truths and a lie...although with some of my students I've noticed they share inappropriate things (i.e. I've been in prison for 20 years) so depending on your audience it may not be wise. What are some other ways you build rapport on the first day?

So, I find that I am very extraverted. In some of my classes (usually the smaller ones) students are almosts forced to contribute and work together because there are only a few of them. Lately, in my larger classes I struggle to engage all of my students, particularly those who seems shy or just don't have a comment. I will generally ask them by name certain questions or for their opinions. Any suggestions on how the engage the introverts in class?

W.I.F.M. What's in it for me. When teaching anything always tell them whats in it for them. Why it's important. How it applies to thier daily life. At this point you'll get the buy in you need from them for the rest of the material you've yet to present.

So, I've taught at schools in California and Wisconsin. I have had a lot more cultural issues in Wisconsin. By this I mean, difficulty dealing with people who are a different sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. 99% of my students are white students who grew up in white areas with little to no experience dealing with someone who is different from them. I'm unsure how to help my students become more comfortable with people who are different from the "norm" they have experienced. In California it was a totally different story!

how can i keep a student motivated in todays job market?

What is the best way to keep the student focused, when they are having a bad day?

What is the best way to retain retention for non-subjected students?

I have found that topics regarding issues of diversity can sometimes become more heated in the online environment than in a traditional classroom setting as students cannot discuss these issues face to face taking into consideration body language, etc. What suggestions are there to encourage and support diversity in the on-line classroom?

shouldnt your focus be on the subject matter

how do you direct a lesson plan to 25 different students based on characteristics