Hi Deana,
The key is to use all the resources you have available to find out about your students and their needs. You are doing that with the list you shared. The key is to take that list and translate it into instructional strategies and supports that will help the students to be successful. This is the fun part of teaching because you get to be creative in those selections.
Gary
A couple of ideas I guess.
1. Information gathered from their students on challenges they face as adult learners could lead to strategies.
2. Information that they might be able to seek from administrators or department chairs about survey information. Perhaps the school has done student surveys to collect information.
3. Working with other instructors. Seeing what strategies they use to keep students engaged.
Hi Sean,
All good ways to help with professional development. This way constant improvement is available to instructors that really want to expand their teaching skills.
Gary
one method we use is peer review. we have other instructors drop in, with a fresh pair of eyes, and make some notes. hopefully this will put a spot light on best practices and bring into the light some bad habits. we also use student surveys. very effective for self evaluation on the instructor side and for evaluating the course content.
We can become aware of retention strategies that are effective by listening and learning what our students expect of us
Learning names of all students on the first day. Make sure each student is greeted & acknowledged daily.
Hi Kris,
I am sure this method of evaluation really helps with instructional improvement. Candid constructive input is always of benefit. I have found that in using this method I have never had in personal attacks but only valid suggestions for course and program improvement.
Gary
At our school we ask the students to fill out anonoumys evaluations at the end of every class block. the evaluations include the syllabus material, the instructor, the facility, educational material...etc. As an instructor, I inform my students that this is their chance to make things better, to voice concerns and to make suggestions. I also explain to them that we NEED their input and also explain it's value to them and to us. We use this information to make changes where they need to be changed. I feel this system helps our students to feel that they are an important part of the school and they feel that we REALLY care about them.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for the retention strategies. You and your school is doing everything they possible to keep the students engaged and focused on their career growth. The little things like learning students' names quickly are retention strategies as well. All of these points of contact and support contribute to students staying in their program. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Student retention can be measured by the instructor through numerous milestones, but a good one to judge yourself early on is the response you get from your students. By providing an open, friendly environment in the classroom, showing your students that you respect them & are there to teach (not judge), and provide students with an opportunity to use their newly acquired knowledge, they tend to pay more attention, answer questions more readily, and can understand how this class will benefit them in their career.
Dr. Meers,
Some of our schools retention strategies include:
1. Each new student is assigned a mentor
2. Calling students when they are absent
3. Offering free tutoring
On a personal note, I try to learn all of my students name by the end of the 1st week. I use a cheat sheet (most students sit in the same seats each time they come to class) which has their names on it. Additionally, I use an icebreaker in the first class to find out the goals of the students, and anything they would like to share.
Cheryl
I see that an important first step is to learn your students' names and something about them, during the fist class session. It could be useful to have them write some info about themselves on a 3x5 card. I also like the idea about taking a picture of each student and being able to refer to the photos to help with name retention. It is important to have an open learning environment that encourages students to express their concerns, etc.
Hi Kay,
Each instructor has to find their comfort level in starting a class. If you don't want to open the class on a light note don't. The content of the module is intended to be a guide only. I have found over the years that humor is an excellent way to settle students down and get them focused on the course content. If humor is not a part of your delivery that is fine as well. Just find something that will work for you and go with it.
Gary
Understand your students! An instructor needs to understand their students on a variety of levels--what is their academic motivation i.e. a career or to stay on dad's insurance, what is their transportation situation (many of my students take the bus and that is difficult in Detroit), how many classes are they taking, what is their skill level, what difficulties do they face in succeeding. To understand your students on these and other levels the instructor has to be open and available. They also have to earn the respect of their students and respect their students. I didn't agree with some of the material in this module--opening a class with a joke sounds predictable and patronizing. But I do agree that instructor needs to know more than a students name--they need to know the person to the greatest level they can.
Since our course material tends to be 60% hands out I test out the students through applying what the learned on the system.
I've discovered that when most students are given a problem will learn more in the process of solving it.
Hi James,
Good plan. You have a number of contact points with each student so that individual knows what is going on and when things are due. Your students know as well that you are on top of their assignments. You are doing all of the right things needed to keep students engaged.
Gary
I try to become aware of nstrategies by watching what works, asking other instructors, listening to the students and sometimes taking a course like this one.
One some things I do to help students is to give them as many paths to success as I can. I also give them progress reports every week. We meet once a week.
The mutiple paths include a complete syllabus withmy contact information, all the assignments for the quarter so if they know they are going to miss, they can work ahead or catch up, online library links to material related to the couse, tutors and of course myself.
I give them a progress report every week for two reasons. It keeps them informed and provides a time to discuss issues. It keeps me from putting of the grading because if I do, I have the whole class knowing that I am behind. Nothing helps you with your self disipline like 15 witnesses.
Communication!!! I use class evaluations after every section of a course, and try to respond to the needs of them, I also make time for all students to talk with them outside of class
i used to give rewards for the best of the class (tools such as a small cutting board, pastry brushes etc - we are a culinary school) but was discouraged by managment. maybe i should try to talk with them and bring it back.
any input?
feedback- evaluation - experimentation
