by having one on one discussions with the students to make sure they understand the subject matter and by watching behavior patterns with excessive frustration
By establishing an open communication with the students from the beginning.
We must identify what is it that is making students not attend. Once the cause is found the task of adressing it is 90% achieved.
Hi Carroll,
You are introducing the human aspect of education with your remembering that you once set where your students set. That is important for us all to remember. A way of keeping us focused on our students needs.
An aid to remembering students' names is association between them and an important fact abut them. By concentrating on fact association and practice which you get every three weeks you will start to develop an ability to get the names down much quicker.
Gary
Instructors/teachers need not loose sight of the fact that at one time they themselves were students.The students are where they were at one point in time.
I try to let my students know that i am just as human as they are.I also want my students to know that I am there for them and that I will do what ever I can to help them.
My biggest problem is learning their names.I have new students every three weeks and the name learning is rough.
Hi Jeff,
You make a number of excellent points about student retention. It all boils down to personal attention for that student. He or she knows someone cares about their success. As you say we need to be on the lookout for ways we can encourage retention. If we have a variety of techniques in our "tool kit" then we will know how and when to use them as the need arises.
Gary
I don't think the question is where to find retention strategies... but when to use them. Finding strategies is not the problem, we can find them in this course. In other instructors rooms (if you take the time to stop, watch and listen). Management has even got some good info, SOMETIMES!!! haha! but in my mind its the instructors delema of WHEN to use them. I honestly belive that they should be used when ever possiable. CHANGE the way students are tought. No MORE SNORE & POUR!!! just vomitting up facts & expecting students to get "A"s is a thing of the past. Pink said it best!! "We dont need your mind control""
Hi Blaik,
We can always learn from others if we have an open mind and observe what they are doing. I commend you for your professional development idea of observing from others, this will help you to grow in your abilities and expertise.
Gary
One good method is to look at another instructors strategy, and see if it is effective, and possibly model your strategy by it.
Hi Stephen,
The WIIFM aspect of learning is a powerful one. We have to keep working at showing the students that there is a clear return on investment (ROI) for them if they work hard and gather all the knowledge and skills that they can while in school.
Gary
Understanding what the student expects to get out of the course is a good foundation for the instructor to begin building retention strategies. The "whats in it for me" idea from the student plays a very large roll on their involvement in the course. I invite students to apply our course content to their own applications. This allows the student, in my experience, to receive a greater value in our material rather than just basic instruction.
Hi Kathleen,
You make a good point of how it takes input from a variety of sources to know how the students really feel about the instruction they are getting. Getting the input the way you are you can have an influence on how the courses go without hurting feelings or making anyone feeling uncomfortable.
Gary
I am a school director, not an instructor. I make an effort to check in with the students in various classes and talk to them one on one during breaks and lunch. I notice some of them have strong opinions (sometimes complaints) that they will not write on a class evaluation or discuss with a teacher for fear it will effect their grade. Yet, when I ask the student if they are enjoying the subject matter or the teacher, they tell me, "I am so bored- the teacher keeps giving us the same motivational speech every class"...or "the teacher keeps going off the subject, telling stories". Personal casual communication with the students helps me keep abreast of potental problems. It helps me help the teacher's get back on track. Sometimes teacher's do not read students correctly. They think the student is tired or has a poor attitude. Teacher's could talk more to the students, but I think other school staff could help too.
Thank you, Gary. I have really enjoyed my work with the kids. It is a great give-and-take!
Hi Kathleen,
What you have outlined is a comprehensive picture of instructional support for adult learners. Your perspective on this is excellent. You have made yourself available to them in a way that they know you care about them as individuals and want them to be successful. You are making an impact on their lives.
Gary
Hi Ira,
Student rapport is essential in keeping the student engaged in the learning process and as a result the student remains enrolled in the training program.
Knowing you care through your actions and support will be of much encouragement to students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I believe, as an instruct as well as a parent, the key to retention in a learning environment is communication. As an instructor, I make it clear to my students that they are expected to let me know if they are not going to attend class. I am very understanding and empathetic, making sure they know I am aware of the conflicts they might have (illnesses, child care issues, work, etc).
Because my students are high school drop outs, they have generally been out of the habit of 'school.' It takes about a week or two for them to get back into the 'swing' of learning, writing, math and paying attention. I make sure that they have opportunities to give daily feedback and ideas in the form of a journal. The journal is to help them practice writing a 5-paragraph essay, but they are also welcome to use it to put down their thoughts and feelings about anything.
In addition to my experiences with my students, I have also had retention issues with my children in extra-curricular activities. When they did not feel valued or attended to, I would have more difficulty getting them to attend. Keeping an open line of communication with the instructor has helped to improve this situation and has also improved their attendance at their activities.
Finally, I believe that it can be crucial to be readily available to my students at 'off-class' times. They may have conflicts with our 'traditional' class hours (jobs, kids, etc). When these conflicts arise, I am able to establish secondary learning times for them. I have a very flexible schedule that allows this type of improvised instruction time. The students are much more likely to continue to attend when they know I will go out of my way to meet them where they are.
Instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies with various methods. One method that I personnally exercise, is that of greeting everyone by name at the door before class begins. In my opinion this is perhaps the easiest method to begin establishing rapport with ones' students. As the learners' become more comfortable, the learners themselves will address any of his/her personnal issues that might interfere with their educational goals. With the learners best interests in mind we can modify our techniques to better suit our learners' needs.
Hi Al,
Great idea. Your knowledge of the students helps you with understanding where they are coming from and how you can support their learning. In addition, they are giving back to the community by their participation in search operations when needed.
Gary
Gary; As an instructor you can read the student and know what will work. The first day of a new class, I have the students fill out a 3x5 card for a number of reasons. When they fill out the questions that i want them to fill out I get a positive feeling about the student. I get thier birthdate, so they get a card from me, and their home, cell, and a close friend telephone number so if I need to contact them I have the numbers. We have a telephone tree that we use when we get a call from State Police, Local Police, DA Office, or Sheriffs for help with a search. I let my students go out if their grades are 93 or higher to assist with the Law Enforcement when call upon. I know a lot about each student and it helps with all kind of problems when they pop up. Al
