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Enhancing Student Retention
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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Paul Rocque
Paul Rocque CHEP

Keeping students Motivated!

I believe it's important to ALWAYS show your passion and interest for the subject matter. When excited about a topic the students sense that, and become completely interested. Do you agree?
Jonathan Carlson
Jonathan Carlson

Start, Finish, Don't Waste

I really liked the comment that adult learners want to "start on time, finish on time, and not have their time wasted." I have experienced this with adult learners who frequently ask, "How am I going to use this?" They want to know why they are learning the skill I'm teaching, and they do not want me to "waste" time on things like "teambuilding" or infrequently used grammar rules. Sometimes that's difficult to work with, but frequently I appreciate their drive.
Warren Fowler
Warren Fowler

student motivation

Here is a little healthy competition for motivation. At times we have the same course running in the morning and afternoon. When this happens occasionally we will set the classes against each other. We will post the test averages for both classes on the board and the winner after all tests but the final gets a predetermined prize. Usually some food item such as donuts.
Pattie Meier
Pattie Meier

Interest in subject matter

What if the student is showing no genuine interest in the subject matter and states that they "just need a job" as the reason for the continuing education/career college choice?
Joshua Buono
Joshua Buono

AutoCAD

My Course is for Interior Designers who will be introduced to AutoCAD. I find it very enjoyable to teach so many such a versitile program that they will most definitly use in the field.
Attila Zink
Attila Zink

Motivating Short Timers

I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions for motivating students who are at the end of their curriculum to maintain a high level of quality in their work.
Attila Zink
Attila Zink

Forcing Participation

I am just wondering about the need to have all students participate in class all the time. I myself hated class participation and I can empathize with the students who wish to be left alone.
Attila Zink
Attila Zink

Class size and the personal touch

I believe that building a personal rapport with students is critical for retention and success. However, I'm finding it more and more difficult to make a personal connection with each student as class sizes increase and I get to know more students as they matriculate from class to class but remain in the school. Any suggestions?
Attila Zink
Attila Zink

Potential Learning Disability

How should we approach the problem of getting help for a student who most likely has a learning disability when they refuse to admit that they may have a problem?
P. Vade Bon Coeur
P. Vade Bon Coeur

Negative Nellies

I have one very glass-half-empty student in my class. What are some strategies for helping this student to become a more positive person? She is bright and wants to succeed, but her attitude is not assisting her in her goal.
Doug Oberndorf
Doug Oberndorf

Finally...

At our school, retention is a huge issue at all times. This first section should be read by every employee, not just the teachers...
Meghan Pesch
Meghan Pesch

Positive Feedback

Positive Feedback is so very important when teaching. When my students don't provide feedback as much as I'd like, I know that they didn't get as much information out of the lecture that I had planned. I review over until I receive more positive feedback and comment.
Meghan Pesch
Meghan Pesch

Student retention

I quiz my students daily on the retention of my lectures. Once finished lecturing, I have a student discussion and make sure everyone is participating in the discussion. If not, they don't receive their discussion points for the day.
Jerry Lovrien
Jerry Lovrien

Retention -2

I have set up a "broadcast" email system utilized for all enrolled students in our disciplne to inform them of changes in the field, potential job opporltunities, legislation, etc. It is 'special'..just for them - to keep the student updated, current, and let them know they are important. They are also aware of our discipline blog...but the email is designed to go to them -- with only their name on the email.
Katrina Neckuty-Fodness
Katrina Neckuty-Fodness

Student groups

I really like to "mix" up student groups by age and agree that by doing this, we are creating rapport across different generational gaps. I think it is important for students of all ages to recognize and appreciate the value of each other's ideas. Because I teach online, I need to pay close attention to the discussion cues so I am able to mix groups appropriately to ensure variety. Clearly, this is much easier in the residential classroom.
Kathy Loecher
Kathy Loecher

acknowledging students

I like to break up long class periods by having students share an answer to a question throughout the night. This can be a question such as, "Name one thing you would like to have with you on a desert island besides food and water." This allows students to get to know each other somewhat, it allows me to get to know and acknowledge them, and for them to be comfortable around each other and in the classroom.
Lolita Keck
Lolita Keck

Listening to Frustrations

I liked reading the information about listening to frustrations. I have a tendency to always want to solve problems so I jump too quickly to giving advice about what I think the student should do. Sometimes that’s appropriate, but other times I should stop and just listen for a while. Then I can ask the student what should be done next to determine if s/he is looking for answers or for a friendly ear.
Gordon Whitehead
Gordon Whitehead

Grades as motivation

For many of my students the ultimate motivation is their grade. Immediate feedback is of course critical. When we don't give feedback within 72 hours I start getting calls and emails. But, I'd like to know if there are additional ways to integrate grade-based feedback into teaching. I mean, there are the traditional exams, quizzes, discussion points, papers, etc., but are there other creative methods that I'm missing? Gordon
Gordon Whitehead
Gordon Whitehead

Working online

Many of my courses are online. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with how we sense the need for REFOCUS in an online environment? Gordon
Gordon Whitehead
Gordon Whitehead

Retention and instructor feedback

Retention is an interesting topic. As a long-time online instructor I am aware that retention is important. However, I rarely get any feedback relative to my role in retention or the schools actual retention metrics. I wonder if anyone has seen how the school includes an instructor in these types of topics? Gordon