Our management staff has set up a team to address student retention. All instructors are required to attend weekly meetings that not only bring up needed atention to problem areas, we address student rention and how we can affectly promote positive actions to support student retntion,
I teach in an online environment and we have many strategies toward student retention. It is challenging since there is no face to face contact; however, technology helps to overcome this through the use of live chat sessions where my voice can be heard, as well as programs where all participants can dialogue together with me, show presentations, and of course there is always "voice mail" where I can send a personal message via a .wav to students in their emails. There are also conference calls, especially at the start of courses, it seems that at the start of the course and about midway through, that matters to the learners, it is the connection. There is always email, especially if you haven't "seen" the student much in the courseroom. It is just a matter of identifying technologies that can connect you to the learners so that you can demonstrate the caring side of instructions. Kathleen
There are different sources we can learn from. These include instructor courses, instructor meetings, talking to other instructors and department chairs. Talking to another instructor about what works for them can be crucial. They are the ones that deal with the same students on a daily basis, they may have succeeded in the areas you might be still struggling and vise versa.
The most important source of information, however, is the students. I write short surveys and ask my students to fill out them to see what worked and what did not. I also frequently remind them that they can come talk to me (or e-mail me) at any time if they have quesitons or concerns. When I was a student, it was important to me to be able to speak to/contact my teacher if I misunderstood something, and the easier the process was, the faster I would contact them.
Constant contact and feedback are important. The students need to know you care and are willing to help them.
Our college provides end-of term evaluations surveys that students can fill out. In addidtion to that, I also provide my own surveys that ask specific questions about material covered in class and how well it worked for the students. I have been doing this for a couple of years now, and it really works. Since these things are anonimous, students are very open about what they think of my lectures and assignments. Over the past two years I have had some very useful feedback that I immediately applied to my classes and made them that much better.
Hi Eugene,
Well said. Caring is a critical part of being an instructor. If the students know that then a solid foundation can be laid for their success.
Gary
I think instructors should let the students know that their feedback is important on a daily basis and that their education and the understanding of the material is their main goal.
It has been said that no one cares about how much you know until they know how much you care. I have found this to be very true.
rapport is key, if you dont have it you dont have a class with good communication going on. that could be dangerous, mis informed students, the rapport equals the connection between students and instructors.
When I take roll, I ask each student a quick little question, such as:
How are you this morning?
See the game last night?
Did you see that information I emailed last night?
Just something to persanlize the first portion of class.
Hi Darrell,
Rapport is critical for student success. You are working hard in this area I can tell from your comments. Knowing you are there for them really helps them to strive for success.
Gary
Hi Michelle,
Such a simple formula but some many different components to make it work. It takes some instructors an entire career to figure out your formula and others never do which to me is sad. Teaching is hard work and stressful but the rewards are so great in terms of impacting the lives of students. Your QC2 is a way of making it happen.
Gary
There are many things an instructor can do. I have seen instructors ask students to spend 5 minutes writing at the end of class about what they learned, what they still have questions on etc. Mid-quarter instructor surveys also accomplish this. I have also seen an instructor give students an online anonymous survey after each class about content and delivery.
Christine Storms
hi gary
letting them know you are there for them, and you care. i call them when they miss a day of class, to check if they are sick or if something is going on.
i let it be known if they anything, my office door is always open, and i always am avaialable for them.
also identifing students they make drop and either getting thier confidence up, or help looking for a job, above and beyond service.
I call my formula QC2, Quality, Care and Control. Deliver a great product, show the students that you care about them (develope a rapport) and manage your environment. Works like a charm!
Hi Allan,
The key is listening and you are doing that. When we are listening we are learning and you are doing that with your students. From what you learn you can make changes that will be supportive of their learning needs and encourage their success.
Gary
Being a student usually requires balancing many aspets of our lives. As instructors, if we learn what issues are affecting our students, and we create an environment where they can share their concerns and aspirations, we will be more effective in student retention. For me, the key is being attuned and responsive.
Hi Dave,
You make a number of very good points about helping students to feel that they are a part of the learning process. The one about encouraging them and letting them know they are doing well is powerful with non-traditional adult learners. They really need this kind of support to keep moving forward with their learning.
Gary
Hi Gregory,
All good points that you make. A major point is the one you make of trying to talk with each student individually. I do this with all of my students. It is a part of the inclusion process. I want them to know they are a part of the class and that I am there to help them succeed.
Gary
If the instuctor keeps an active interest in the students and stays in touch with all of them, then the instructor will be able to understand what is going on in the student's life. Sometimes they need some extra help and guideance in certain situations that an instructor can either help with or at least give the student information as to who they would need to talk to for help if needed. I find that with showing the students a personal interest in them, I get a better response of them being more open with me and that they work a little harder to suceed because they see that someone is pulling for them to be successful. I constantly have students that I have not ahd in a classroom for a while just stop by to fill me in on how they are doing because they knew that I would be proud of them for their accomplishments. It also builds up their self esteem. They get to brag on how well they are doing which in some cases is their first time in their lives that they are able to do so.
Unfortunately all classes, whether it is the first time they are being taught or the seventy-first time they are being taught, are going to require different strategies. It is the nature of the beast in higher education. Different learning styles, attitudes, and beliefs. Trying to find an effective one size fits all strategy will not work. Strategies that can be tailored will work. Back to the course material with the use of acknowledging students daily, and getting a barometer for how they are doing is a good strategy. I think another good strategy, if time allows, is to have one on one conferences with each student at some mid-point in the class. Personal attention strategies I think will be key to retention.
