It is obvious that students who dropped out of class for reasons outside of their control have lost interest, motivation, or the value and importance of education to their personal development.
I believe that instructors can play a major role in interest and motivation by preparing and delivering student centered lectures. Instructors can also create a dynamic atmosphere by establishing working teams in which each students are encourage to participate in a tangible manner.
Hi Ricardo,
You make a number of very good points about how to establish rapport with students. Thank you for sharing this information I know it will be of value to other participants.
Gary
Hi Maria,
Not only will this help with retention but it really helps with rapport. By knowing more about your students and working with them they start to see how you really care about their future.
Gary
Rapport is definately key. A student responds in a positive manner to a instructor they see as approchable with any problem they might have. I have found that if the student knows you, as the instructor are sincerly concerned about his or her situation, be it a personal problem or a learning problem. They will be more comfortable talking to you. From there you might be able to help the students problem & redirect his or her thoughts back to the task at hand. The course of study at the time. A mind without no outside distractions learns more effective. Then they might be able to refocus on the goals previously set by the student. A student that is actually learning might have the feeling of staying in school. Thus retention of the student.
Instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies by understanding the basic needs of each of their students. They need to understand what motivated their student to enroll in school and they need to know how to support each students individual need.
Hi Gary,
Thanks for giving me an Idea on what I can do to help some student gain success on understanding a subject they are not interested in. When I get to the point that some students lose interest in a subject that I am teaching. I will take them to the lab for some hands on training on that subject. In the lab I can show them how the content of the theory is relevant to the hands on training. I have found that most student would be just fine doing hands on and never goning to theory. We know that this is not possible.
Hi Clyde,
Good point about knowing what resources you have available for students. As a teacher you can sense when a student is in need of help that is not possible within the confines of your course. If you know what services your school offers you can refer the student to them and help the student to get the support that is needed.
Gary
Hi Clyde,
Even though it may be a course or topic that they don't care about you can help them have success in the course by giving them success. What this means is break the course content down to the point that they can have success in one small part of the course. Then some more success and before they know it their success builds to the point that they are hooked on the course. They may never like the course in terms of content but they can see how the content is relevant and helps they to achieve their career goals. They start to see the big picture rather than just a course they have to suffer through.
I teach a required course and have done what I have outlined above and the student evaluations are very high because they see application and relevancy.
Gary
Hi Amanda,
Keep that excitement. It does spread to your students. They can sense it through your contacts with them and the responses you share.
Gary
Hi Alfred,
What a great creative idea for helping students remain in school. You are right about many things coming up that could move the the direction of leaving school. By showing your interest in their success you are sending a very clear message that you want them to succedd.
I like the idea of the account to help students in need. This also sends a message that the students are attending a school that cares about them and that they have a resource available should they need it.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
There should always be someone in your organization that is trained to help the students with problems. As a teacher my job is to have good repport with the student that will help with retention and to have the trust of the student so he or she will share any problems with me. Then I can send the student to the people who can help them.
Change is always hard to get use to. From day one the student is subject to changes. He or she are in a new school, new student setting next to them, and a new teacher who knowledgeable and ready to teach. The teacher now has new student names to remember and a diverse age and different background experiences. This is when good educational planning comes to play.
If the student is interested in the subject that is being taught he or she will enjoy coming to class. But when it is a subject that they are not interested in or the fear factor sets in what do you do then?
I think personal rapport is paramount in keeping your retention rate high! I am teaching an online class, and I plan to read every students profiles, and send motivational messages (and even possibly Christmas e-cards) to let them know that I am personally rooting for their success in my class. I am open to any questions or concerns about subject material and even well being factors. I am getting excited!
Gary; I have tryed several ways to improve retention in my classes. One way, I call the students if they are not in school and they didn't call into the school to explain why they are not in school. Our office staff keeps us informed about the attendance of our students, Another way I found that helps with retention is talk with the students that is having the problen and try to work them thru the problem like, financial, family, child care, and the big one now is they don't have money for gas to get to school. I HAD THE STUDENTS AT OUR CAMPUS ALL 725 OF THEM SELL THINGS AND WE PUT THE MONEY IN A ACCOUNT AND CALL THE PROJECT [fRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS]. tHIS IS HELPING WITH RETENTION, aL
Hi Kimberly,
I like your attitude about your class. You are right about the motivation factor. This is a goal all instructors should strive for. Students should look forward to coming to class and all of the activities and learning that will occur within it.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
By becoming more aware of the reasons for students leaving you can plan accordingly. For instance maybe it is financial difficulties and if you have a department to help with local employment this could be an option to help to keep the student in school.
First, by keeping an open mind. Students are not the only ones who resist change. Instructors should always be searching for new and creative ideas to add to active learning. That keeps it fun for students and instructors alike.
Retention is such a multi-faceted issue. I agree that building a rapport with each student definitely helps. Motivation is another key component. One of things that I challenge myself to do daily is to make my class one that nobody wants to miss. Not because of punitive reasons, but rather they enjoy the environment and active learning is taking place.
Hi Clyde,
Listening to students is a good thing. You can sort out all kinds of situations that way. You make a good point about communication. Instructors have to be effective at it so their students will continue to progress.
Gary
