Refocus
This a great way to keep you from arriving at the end a of course and having a lot of material that has to be covered fast to complete the course. When you do not Refocus you will have taken something from the students because of the time element. this can lead to students thinking that they did not receive all they should have and is it writh coming to the next class or should i drop. Dropping is what we are trying to prevent.
Hi Christine,
Great idea! This gives students a summary of the past week and anticipation of the upcoming week. This is a great way to bring continuity throughout the course.
Gary
I like to send out a Sunday night email. This summarized where we were last week, what is coming this week and what may be due in coming weeks.
I find this keeps me on track as well as keeps the student's focused as well.
Christine
Keeping the student as well as yourself focused will give the couse the value that the student needs to see and feel and keep him in class.
I have a syllabus, talking papers, project listings, and source documents to support my lesson plans and encourage me to stay on schedule. It is absolutely imperative that the course data is covered and that students never feel that their time is wasted in a class. This feeling would impact the effectiveness of the instructor as well as the school, and definately impact retetion. For whatever reason, the instructor needs to refocus: that is use the recognize, empower, focus, objectivize, commit, unburden, and surprise elements to rejuvenate his/her instructional skills. The instructor needs to remember what it feels like to just begin a new class with new faces and expectations. Tell all the students of their opportunities to succeed and definately do well in this class.
In the Career College environment, it is so important to stay focused on the career goal to change their way of life: give self-worth back, develop a new skill, or even just learn something new.
It is also important to maintain trust and understanding with your students as an experienced instructor that knows how to present their subject material in a timely fashion. Start the classes on time and finish on time. By not adhereing to the syllabus, it confuses the students as well. Confusion doesn't provide a good foundation to education.
Lastly, the issue of control of your classroom needs to be addresses also, as you as the instructor are the leader of the class. You are the key in retention and need to make your efforts count.
