Impact on Retention
What do you do specifically for your students that you feel has the best impact on student retention?
Hi April,
Sounds like your classes are fun and high energy. This is what it takes to keep students engaged. I like your approach of laying everything out the first day so there is no confusion on how the class is going to operate.
Gary
This is great and an approach I use, too. Everything is on the table Day 1 and, most importantly, I don't fold when something happens - I continue to hold them to that standard. Additionally, I build a rapport with my students, as others have noted. Lastly, I come to class TRUELY excited about the material. It tends to be infectious.
Hi Jill,
Your last sentence reinforces all the comments you made before it. Students do like to know where they are at in the course as well as knowing what they need to work on. This helps them see the progress they are making.
Gary
Quick feedback on assignments. I'll admit this isn't one of my greatest strengths (esp in a COM class), but I've found that students respond really well to quick feedback. It helps students to solidify their learning when they can see how they did on an assignment WHILE remembering completing the assignment. Delayed feedback, on the other hand, doesn't help the student much. When students get back a graded assignment and say, "Wow. I totally forgot about this," then I realized I missed a learning opportunity.
How does this relate to retention? Students seem to be more engaged in a class when they know how well or how poorly they are doing.
I agree that empathizing with a student's situation makes him/her feel more secure. Also, when students empathize with each other, they feel like "they are on the same team."
I like to create an environment that is enjoyable to be in and conducive for learning. I try my best to come across as knowing the topic at hand and not just as if I'm citing it straight from the book. I try to think outside of the box on how I am going to teach the students the topic at hand. That comes from not only experience but also non-traditional styles of teaching such as videos. I have found that videos capture the attention of the students and bring them back into focus along with making it a bit of a more enjoyable environment.
I believe that retention is associated with a feeling of belonging to the classroom. Being directly involved in the awnsering of questions.
When I recognize students changes in attitude or behavior I talk to them outside of the classroom to try and determine what has changed their behavior. Once a cause can be determined I can offer them help from my position or refer them to someone in the school that can help them. I believe once they realize that there are in fact people who care and want to help they tend to become a little more focused. Once their focus returns to school work and they are not alone in dealing with their problems. Their retention possiblilities are improved tremendously.
I agree, I feel that getting to know your students and being able to empathize with their situations makes them feel more secure in that environment.
Hi Marla,
You make a good point about rapport with online students. This connection is so important. It is easy to think you are all alone as you are moving through an online course so the more an instructor can work to create rapport with a student the greater the connection will be between the student and success.
Gary
Developing a rapport with online students is extrememly important. In order to establish rapport, I feel it is imperative that each student knows that I am available and always willing to assist. I always let my students know that they are welcome to contact me if they have any question or concern, regardless of how big or small. When students realize that their instructor is available, they are more relaxed and at ease with the online learning environment. Students tend to respond favorably to quick responses, encouragement and individual attention.
Hi Shawn,
Good way to set the course on a positive course. The students know the polices, expectations and requirements of the course. This way there will be no surprises and forward progress can be made.
Gary
I think the best thing I do is make very clear the first day of class my policies on attendance and really drive home how valuable each class session is and how much it will impact their grade and their leaning progress.
After that, if a student is missing class, I will attempt to call that student and find out what is causing them to have problems, and try to work out a way to help them.
Usually though I have pretty good results just by laying it all out to begin with the first week.
I have found if you can corralate the material to things they already know helps with retention and easier learning of the material.
Galen
Hi Nakia,
Develop rapport with them. Get to know them. Support them when needed. The key is to show them that you care about them and their success and you are willing to help them be successful if they are willing to put forth the effort.
Gary
