Garry,
I agree with you. I am one of the first to try and help a student when outside interference causes a student to lose focus. The problem is I have seen teachers get so involved with a student's outside interference the teacher loses focus they are there to teach.
Hi Garry,
Well said. The human side of learning has to be the center of our focus. By integrating the human aspects of learning into our approach the students will have respect for what we are doing and we will develop rapport with them. Student rapport is important because it helps to open the door of communication between us and them. This way we can stay on top of any encouragement and support they might need as they progress through the course.
Gary
My belief is that every student has the so called "Green Button - Red Button" built within them. Oftentimes the educator/teacher overlooks the human side of the equation which is the stongest driving force. The material being taught in itself will follow it's own natural course if the student is lead and believes it is in their best interest to learn the material before them. Also as teachers our job may be the relighting of that fire within the student that may have gone out. At times outside interference of other responsibilities can derail the best students commitment.
Hi Tony,
You are very right about the need to build rapport. Once done this is one of the rewards of teaching due to the opportunity you get to visit and work with students.
Gary
Gary,
I feel the key to retention is in building rapport with the students. Many of my students actually come to class early and some stay after just to chat. Many of them just need someone to vent to. You would be amazed how easy it is to teach when the students trust you.
Hi Don,
I commend you for your attitude about instructional improvement. We instructors need to be on the look out for ways we can get better at what we do. By using your evaluations and comments from fellow instructors you are developing constantly as an educator. Keep up the good work.
Gary
This is not always an easy task.I believe that sharing information through educational forums such as this one is a great way to stay on top of retention strategies. One strategy that I believe in is to stay involved with your students and learn their personalities. There are only so many personality types in this world of ours. The more experience that an instructor has identifying personality types, the easier it will be for him or her to excite that student about the material and/or find ways to persuade them to stay focused when the seem to go a stray.I also enjoy letting the students evaluate me and my course on the last day of the phase. By reading the evaluations and comparing them to previous courses, I can look for certain trends to help identify areas of needed improvement.A little constructive criticism goes a long way when learning how to keep a high retention rate. Good evaluations from satisfied students will also help me stay excited about teaching.Another way to become aware of retention strategies is to talk to coworkers about their strategies, you will be surprised at some of their ideas and techniques.
Hi Gabriel,
You make a number of very good points about how to set the stage for positive learning experiences for students. These things all do contribute to student retention. Also, the point about making referrals for students needs to be highlighted. If students know there is help available to and for them as they encounter situations during their college experience they will be much more at ease with their education.
Gary
Retaining students is like sales, in that you try to remove the objection. Retention strategies should directly address the
barriers a student cites as reasons to drop out of school.
Obviously, the fairness, competance, and interest an instructor creates in the classroom can help a student resist the temptation to drop. But, there are life issues that the student sees that appear to force their hand to drop.
Instructor rapport can be helpful in difficult circumstances because the student may confide about a situtation that the teacher can't do anything about. That's the time to direct the student to financial aid, if that's the issue. Maybe Student Services or the Registrar, or the Director of Education can help solve the problem.
The point is to get the student to the office that can potentially help the most.
As the librarian on campus, I send students to the appropriate offices all day long.
Hi Keith,
You make a number of good points about how you can help students get the big picture in terms of their education. They need to be shown application, relevancy and transferability of their newly acquired knowledge and skills. If they can see that they will be ready to go.
Gary
Hi Helen,
I bet your students enjoy your classes. You have a great sense of humor. Your use of humor gets your students' attention and keeps them reading the online posts concerning what ever they need to know about such as weather. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Instructors need to make the educational process indispensable. In other words they hold the key to unlock the concept that this information is critical to their future. If presented well and personal to our employers (the students) will see the value of this information in their futures. This is my strategy,or secret formula, give them what they paid for in a way they want it,and clear away the crap so they can understand it, and put it into a real world situation so they can appreciate it. Lead them don't drag them.
I try to become human with my students on the first day of class. The weather is sometimes a problem here and the students drive some distances to get here. I tell them that it is essential to check the class website and emails before coming to class. Not only for cancellations by the school but, if I get a hot date, I am out of here. This always gets a laugh, which is their attention. And they know that they are not the only ones dreaming of skipping out. AND, they always check the website and emails before class. AND, they know I am human and approachable.
Hi Gary,
I would use the 3X5 cards for evaluation after each activity, I think that is a great way of monitoring the course offerings.
Josh
Hi Gary,
Creating learning groups can be a good strategy is some situations, but among young adults there are many personality differences, generally they have to find their own group. I find that caring for the individual student and their situation helps in retention.
Josh
Hi Dale,
Student rapport is critical for teaching success. You are using a number of strategies to make that happen. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I let students know from day one that I am approachable. Kidding around at roll call sets the tone for the day and I try to interact with each student at least once a day. This can be difficult with large classes. I try to give struggling, or withdrawn students extra attention when I can.
Hi Raymond,
Great story of how an instructor can have a major influence on the success of a student simply by following up. I congratulate you on saving this one and I know you will be able to help others as time goes by. Keep up the good work.
Gary
On the first day of class I spend some time with the class just talking to them about the concerns or difficuties of coming to class each day on time. I also send around a page and collect phone numbers from any student that may think they will have a difficult time getting to class every day without failing or houring out. Most students will embrace this method willingly but others are reluctant because they feel that they are grown ups and should be responsible for thier time in class. Just this morning I called a student at home and woke him up...his alarm didnt go off so he was glad I did because he already had 8 hours out of the class and this school only allows 12 per class...he would have houred out today but he made it within 20 minutes of my call and still has time to spare before houring out of class (PHEW SAVED ONE)
Hi George,
You make a good point about needing to be right on with your instruction from the very beginning. By working hard at understanding how learning occurs and the nature of your student body you will be able to prepare to meet their needs. You are a subject matter expert (SME) striving to be an Instruction Delivery Expert (IDE) and you can be that through on going professional development.
Gary
