1. be aware of student concerns and issues
2. clearly and appropriately address concerns and issues
3. be pro active in asserting retention strategies
4. consult colleagues who have successful retention strategies
5. Research, research, research
Hi David,
Way to get a real good read on your students and their progress. This way you can make changes as needed. You are customizing your instruction for each of your students. Good job.
Gary
By having an understanding of the needs of the students the educational planning process is much easier. You can target the specific learning needs of the students.
Give them recognition daily, be fair and caring to the student, as a teacher need to develop a method of providing personal attention to all studnets.The student will do in class if they find personal meaning and value in the materials,to retain students, they must see how their efforts.
As a teacher we should make the student feel that they are always part of the class and they are treated fairly and equally.
Dr. Meers,
This is really hard topic, becaused even now I am still learning how to adjust on each student learning, specially on our class is moslty adult, some of this tips would help me get better understanding of the adult student. Then ultimately will help me become aware of how I can help the student to stay on the program.
Today I feel sad, I heard one of my good student have to withdraw from my class due from work problem. I try to contact him and leave a message and try to save him on withrowing, but he never call me back or return my call and not replying on my e-mail. How to handle such situation, even I know all I need is to able to talk to him and keep him aware of many way to stay in class, point him out to the right person to talk to get some answer to his financial burden.
I dont know, its hard like I said, hope this training help in the fuutre.
In my classes, each student is given a daily assignment separate from each other. As the instructor I am able to roam the lab and check how each student is doing and offer my feedback. While doing this I can identify possible problems and see if there is something I can do if I notice the need.
When the class stops comunicating with you and you seem to lose them is a sign that you need to spice it up or change the scenery in which they are learning.Go to lab and finish the lecture there.I have even stoped the lecture and walked around the parking lot looking at automobiles that relate to the subject in which I teach.Use the suroundings you have-go out side,GOD created a lovely world in which to learn in.
Hi Bridget,
Well said. Retention is based upon satisfaction, respect and relevancy. If a students senses these items and knows they are respected by their instructor they will be back. Their motivation levels will be high and everyone succeeds.
Gary
By first understanding what causes poor retention. They must be “observant” and “aware” of their environment. They must know their students…know what support their students need to remain in school and evidently GRADUATE. Then they can develop appropriate strategies that will encourage their students to return daily. The goal of the instructor should be to give the student a reason to WANT to return.
Initially, when I begin a with a new class I always ask students to state their names and explain their desires for being in college. Owing to the various age groups that I often teach at any given time this enables me to focus my attention and teaching towards their particular needs.
Hi Michael,
The personal touch is what really impacts students. Keep up the good work. I know you are going to make a difference in the lives of many students.
Gary
Calling them on a daily or weekly basis. This way they hear a human voice on the other side. We are sometimes too quick to just send an email, but it takes that human connection sometimes to make a difference.
Hi Kerry,
Right you are about how to start a class off. Doing the things you mention will help to develop respect and rapport with students. With these two items in place you are ready to have a real impact on the learning process.
Gary
Starts by greeting the students everyday before class, giving them encouragement, getting to know there names as quickly as possible.
I believe that you should engage your students from day one.
Find out what there expectations are and explain what will be delivered by
personalizing the syllabus and it's delivery to best accomodate the students expectations.
Hi Michael,
Good suggestions for keeping your finger on the pulse of the class. This way you can change as you need to to keep the students on course.
Gary
communication is the key. starting with day one find out about you students what intrested them to learn about the course there taking. after that keep a lookout for changes in attatude whitch is a sign something is wrong.also know the differt departments at your facilaty because there problems might be finacel, transpertation, housing,etc. and differant department could help with those needs. if it is class room related you can find a solution to help meet the student needs. all these are ways to keep the frustration down and retention up
Hi James,
I like the way you spread out your approach for including every student in every class. This way you can keep your finger on the pulse of the class.
Good job.
Gary
An instructor has to really pay attention to the students. Greeting students as they enter the room gives an instructor information about the emotional state of each student. If an instructor knows the tone of the class before it begins, the instructor can adjust his/her personality accordingly. For example, if the class tone is low energy, the instructor should try to be even more enthusiastic that day. One also has to be aware of verbal and non-verbal cues such as eye rolling or sighing as these indicate a lack of enthusiasm for the material. If an instructor sees such cues, he or she should switch gears or get the students out of their seats for a few minutes. I personally have discovered that while students need structure and predictability in the school setting, they also appreciate a little bit of spontaneity. I will occasionally lecture from the back of the room instead of the front or have the student spontaneously switch seats. Sometimes I skip around the room. If I keep the students guessing about what tomorrow holds, their curiosity gets the better of them and retention increases.
I try to arrive at class early so I can engage the students informal conversation. These conversations provide a great deal of information about the concerns of individual students and the feeling of the students about the class, the school and other instructors.
During the class, I ask the students if they understand what I'm saying and if they understand the application of the information to their particular situation.
I also try to call on every student during class. The tone of voice can tell me a great deal about what is going on. This way, I can use break times to talk with the student that appears to be having problems.
Hi Glenn,
You hit on a key point, that being understanding student needs. If you have an understanding of their needs you then can adjust your instruction to make sure you are on target.
Gary
