Increasing Student Retention
How can an instructor increase student retention?
The greatest way I've found for instructors to increase retention is by giving the student a quality product. In higher education, a quality product is an engaging and insightful lesson that is applicable to the student and their goals.
Dr. Meers,
I like to portray myself as Chef Liam Lynch, what I mean by that is i like to get to their level. I know they are scared about college so i try to relate, make myself vulnerable so that they can see that 15 years ago i was in their position and now I'm teaching them what was taught to me back then. Another method than just appealing to their human side is that I am fair and just, I choose no favorites, and have an equal opportunity environment in my classroom so that not one student feels out of place.
Student retention can be challenging at times. I think it is important for instructors to be enthuastic and engaging. Sometimes I bring in current events that relat to the topic we are discussing in class. This seems to help the students stay engaged. Offering a variety of instructution methods is important. Like we have learned in this module, having a personal relationship with the students is important. When students miss my class, I call and e-mail them to "check in" with them. This seems to help bring students back to class.
I ask students to share their "WHY" they are choosing the area of study. I get students to relate to something other than themselves. I have found out that people complete what they start for others in their life. I ask them to have their "WHY" somewhere they can see every day.
I have found that by bring in your insite to whatever,ie: personnel life or work related you are able to make a deeper connection to your students. We also have the students come up with new ways to do different activities.
I try to find out why they are taking the course and why they think this would help them to get to their goal? I also ask if anyone knows someone in their family or friends that they know whom did what they are doing and are successful. I also try to give examples of my own experiences.
Maya,
Love the way you do this. This is a great way to check for understanding and know where your students are and what you need to review and then be ready to move forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an instructor, I do what's called a Door Buster. The Door Buster is a recap of the previous days lesson or lecture. This will let me know what information students have retained and/or what areas of opportunities we need to revisit.
For me, I like an instructor that is engaging and energetic. I like an instructor that has open discussions and is thought provoking. Instructors that stick strictly to lesson plans and quizzes lose my attention very quickly.
Michael,
Your method is a good one to follow. I know that you will have results by providing support to your students this way. Keep up the good work and impact you are having on their lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to think that I increase student retention by remaining fair and flexible with my students. Many of my students are high risk and need to be followed and coached much more than a regular student.
TANYA,
This is so important because it reduces student anxiety and frustration. Everyone is on the same page and knows exactly what it takes to enjoy course success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
At the beginning of the course make sure the student has a good understanding of what is expected from them and also what they can expect from you. That you are their to help them every step of the way. The instructor is there not only to educate but also to guide.
Grant,
Students like change of pace and variety in their instructional delivery. You are doing both in your approach and the results are engaged students and enhanced learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I usually have lectures that last 1-1 1/2 hrs in the class, most students start to loose focus after 15 mins, I like to break up my lecturing with either jokes or stories that engage the class to bring focus back, a good laugh will generally get them alert again.
Hugh,
Humor is a great teaching tool, especially when it is used in connection with field experiences. We all have had humorous situations occur in our work lives and our students like to hear about them when we are discussing topics related to those experiences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I wholely agree. I use humor in the classroom everyday. I tell funny stories of experiences I have encountered in my Network Admin. career. I ask the students what their oppinion of the sitiation would be and how they would handle the situation.
Gail,
I know your efforts reinforce to the students that they did in fact make the right choice when they enrolled at your university. They as a result of your efforts start to see themselves as part of a learning community and this is when they really get excited and their classes and their future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am not an instructor, I am an advisor at an online university. I am the one the student has the most contact with. I make it my job to check on my students at least once a month to see how they are progressing. I encourage them when they have passed an exam or turned in a paper and I offer them suggestions when they have had difficulty. I hope that this personal attention gives them some motivation since working on your own online can be discouraging for them. I also try to record any personal information they may give me so that I can ask about that when I go back to them the next time.
