Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for those kind words about helping with retention strategies for students. Over the years of my teaching I have always felt the need to work as hard as I can to assist students in becoming successful. Call it personal pride or professional obligation I want every student to excel in my course. It doesn't always happen but that is always my goal. The reason is if I am content with less than a 100 percent completion rate I don't think I am fulfilling my professional responsibilities. I don't always get a 100% retention but that is always my goal.
Gary
Anonymous critiques are invaluable. Most institutions have access to computer networks, and a student portal can be an excellent place to post course reviews. Another example of retention is call or email records. If a student is absent than we call them and give them the assignments and what is due for the next class, or email them if calling is not successful. This keeps the students up to date and gives them the feeling that the instructors care.
Hi Dr Meers,
While I have enjoyed being an instructor, I had not recognized the need for me to be responsible for student retention. I recognized that I could keep students enrolled with kind and empathetic attention, though I never realized that was one of my roles!
So, educational formats such as these help bring forward that we all need a group of retention strategies in our tool box of classroom management. Thanks!
I think we just need to take a few moments when the opportunity presents itself to engage a bit with the student and find out something important to them or about them. finding a common link in our lives could be a key ingredient to reaching them during the learning process.
That seems too good to be true ;)
Hi Doris,
Supporting the students is key. You are doing that by showing them the relevance of what you are teaching and how the content can help the achieve their career goals.
Gary
Being human and caring for your students, showing each of them personal attention by helping them find a reason to succeed, providing frequent, positive feedback, and recieving open feed back from the students are some ways of being aware of effective retention strategies. You can evaluate the effectiveness by being aware of the students response to these actions, daily.
Get to know your students and find out what motivates them. Show them the relevance of the class to their chosen professions. Let them know that they can succeed in the class and that you are there to help them succeed.
learning the students' names and something about them early on is important. I also think that the daily interaction w/ every student that was suggested in this section is a good strategy.
Inject some personal-level conversation, while maintaining professionalism
Hi Rhonda,
Good strategy for providing student support. This way the students know that you are there to help them be successful if they will put forth the effort.
Gary
I think it's important to observe and listen carefully to each class. Each is different and has varying needs. It's vital to relay the knowledge that you care about each student and his/her progress and are willing to help them to succeed.
I like to walk around the room when I do a beginning lecture on a new concept and the students are working on it on their computers. That way I can tell who is having problems and who is not. I can then help the student right away and frustration is not likely to set in.
Encouraging students to comment on instructional techniques; such as what they like about the class, what they dislike about the class, what they would like to see changed, and what value that they received out of the class.
Hi Samuel,
Good point. This is what being a mentor is all about. Being there and providing support when it is needed. This is what students really value.
Gary
Hi Beverly,
Keep point. A simple gesture of knowing and using a student's name shows not only professionalism but also that you do care about them as individuals.
Gary
Hi Annette,
Key point in the development of rapport with students. You are also modeling positive behavior for the students so they can see how such behavior will work for them when they are out in the work place.
Gary
I've found that on the first day of class if you can have the students introduce themselves and give a brief statement of themselves (i.e. life experiences, work history, why they are here, etc) then you can try to relate the material to something in their life that will have some relevance or value.
making sure that the students are aware that they can ask questions and come for extra help if they do not understand is key, we have all hade the student that doesn't understand but doesnt want to be embarressed by asking a question they feel everyone else knows the answer to
I think that solicitation of feedback will always help clue you in. The school usually has midterm or final evals for each class but I like to do my own. I usually give them some direction as well and ask what they like and what they would change - but I remind them (especially if they are on the younger end of the spectrum) that less tests and giving extra credit are not productive suggestions so try to think of something worthwhile and I promise I will spend the same amount of time trying to incorporate the ideas if they think it will help.
That does sound interesting. I am thinking it would work better in a residential setingand wondering how something like taht could work in an online class.
