retention
I find that retention is sometimes frustrating,I make sure when a student is absent that when he or she comes back I ask how he or she is doing.I let them know if they need anything or if I can help with anything let me know because we missed them.This acknoledgement shows the student you care and I really do.I want all my students to show up everyday and I also explain why that is importnat to them as far as there grade but more importantly how it is important in the working world.Scott Cohen
Hi Adam,
This is a delicate situation in terms of how you approach the students so they see you as being supportive not just nagging. I let them know at the beginning of the course that I will be emailing them if they miss class or assignments. I make this announcement into a joke so I tell them to make sure they attend and get their assignments in so they don't get an email from me. This way when I do sent them a email they know it is coming and whether they think it is nagging or not they know they are going to be contacted. Some get it together and others just ignore the emails and as a result don't pass the course but at least they know I tried to encourage and support their success.
Gary
One concern I've had is that sometimes when I email students about missing class or assignments they respond in such a way as to suggest that they feel they are being nagged.
Online teaching requires encouragement and providing solutions to problems to avoid the student(s) becoming discouraged. Because they are working from home and independent of a traditional classroom with classmates, they feel more alone to solve problems, understand the assignment(s), and/or how to submit their work.
A quick response to questions is so important.
Hi Loren,
Keep at it! This is a struggle for most of us. The students need to realize the opportunity that they have be able to go to school and receive an education that can determine their future.
As employees they are going to have to go to work on time everyday or they will be gone. We know it, but many of them miss this essential soft skill of career success. I keep after my students and the majority get the message. The others don't pass the course and can't figure out what happened. I am always amused and sadden when a student comes in at the end of the course and says "I don't understand I missed 80% of the class and handed one of the 10 assignments and I didn't pass the class. I'm wondering why." What part of being responsible doesn't a student like this get?
Gary
Hi Robert,
Keep up your efforts and don't let a few of the students discourage you. The reason I say this is that I know as a teacher I want to feel that I did all I could for my students and they decided that they would fail in their educational efforts. Thus, the ownership of success or failure is on them. Hopefully sometime in their lives they will take ownership of their lives and see the value of knowledge and skill acquisition.
Gary
Yes, retention is a frustrating aspect of our jobs. It is an indicator of our success at reaching and connecting with students. We do well, they stay and finish. Took me a while to get in that groove, because at the University of Michigan, no such efforts were evident- sink or swim....attend if you want to, just complete the requirements.
I try from the get-go to emphasize the parallels between my course and their requirements in a real position and stress the importance of attending every day and of completing every assigment. "Turn something in!"
I too am often frustrated by retention. I will have students that will show up, it seems, whenever there is nothing good on TV. I ask about problems offer extra assistance and attempt to get the students back on track only to have them not show up for the next class. It is a hard balancing act with the students that do show up on time every day to see that others are not as dedicated as they are, but I still try to motivate each student to succeed.
Hi Scott,
Good point about the need for students to realize that not only do you want them to stay in school but you are training them for career success. If they can learn that attendance and being on time is critical to career success along with the knowledge and skills required they will have learned a very valuable life lesson.
Gary
