Retention
I'm interested in how others keep retention at a high level without compromising expectations of student performance.
Hi Roger,
Sometimes no matter what an instructor does the students don't complete the course. They have taken upon themselves to fail. You can reach out to them, support them and encourage them but they are still going to fail. In those cases I feel sad that I wasn't able to keep them and then I turn my attention to those students that are there to learn. I know I can make a difference with them so I give them all the support I can and look forward to hearing about their career success later on.
Gary
"I'm interested in how others keep retention at a high level without compromising expectations of student performance."
That makes two of us! lol!
Actually, I've had above normal retention as well as below normal retention, have wondered if it was related to seasonality or the fact that for whatever reason I had students who never turned in a single assignment regardless of attempts to outreach to them.
I've thought about it a lot but don't have any quick answers to what I did right and should do more of, versus what I might not have done right and shouldn't repeat.
Hi Evan,
Your approach to keeping the students refreshed on why they are in school in the first place is a good one. I am amazed at students that claim to be focused on getting an education that will open the door to them for a successful career and they don't attend or put forth the effort to be successful. By helping them to have a vision of the future you are helping them get a return on their investment. If they can see the ROI of their education they will keep putting forth the needed effort to be successful in school.
Gary
I find that the best way is to let students know that I am paying attention. When my students aren't turning in work, I want to know why. Classes at our university don't come cheap. Either they are paying for it or their employers are. Whatever the case, they might as well get something for the money. They aren't going to get something for nothing. Why throw that money down the drain? I'm there to help them succeed, but is their education. I already have mine. I try to keep them focused on why they enrolled in the first place, and remind them of the resources that our school offers them to help them succeed. When students realize that the staff and faculty is actually not just offering lip service, that we really are aware, they respond.
Hi Kristi,
Well said. This is a great philosophy of teaching. You have touched upon all of the critical parts of instruction with your comments.
Gary
Through my years of teaching, I have discovered there is a direct corelation between rapport and rentention, but in addition to the relationships we build with our students, we need to show enthusiasm for our topic of study--if we don't, they certainly won't! Find SOMETHING to share with them to make it purposeful, whether it's a real life connection, a bit of humor, or a trick to remind them of the process. Rentention will result.
Hi Donald,
Motivation is the key to retention. By having dynamic content and presentations instructors can develop rapport with students and get them wanting to come to class each and every time it meets. Personal interest in each student is another way let the students know that their success is critical and that they have the support of the instructor. All these efforts contribute to student retention.
Gary
