I agree as well. I loved the field that I am now teaching. I can't imagine teaching and preparing students for a field that you did not love. It will show and come across in your teaching if you do not love it or are passionate about it.
I increase my student retention by making my lectures meaniningful and somewhat entertaining. I also know my students personally. Another factor that helps me retain students is when they miss one day of class I will call them, to make sure that everything is ok. This gives them a sense of caring.
It is important as an instructor that value is being created in which ever course being taught. With out this students won't mind missing a class or actively participating. Instructors can do this in many different ways but one of my favorite, is getting to know our students, support them as best we can. Creating that relationship of instructor and student, but the student knowing we are always her to support and help them succeed with their goals.
Jeanie,
It makes me sad when I see a student with potential not catch fire and be excited about my field. I like you am very excited and honored to be able to share my knowledge and content with students. The really is that not all students will be as excited about the field as we would like them to be. When I have such students I work hard to get them engaged so that I can feel proud that at the end of the course I have done all that I can to help them move forward in their career development. If they don't then it is because they do not have the self discipline and dedication needed to move themselves forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Anyone who has taken one of my classes knows that I am enthusiastic about my career. I teach in the healthcare field and have loved my job for 28 years. I always believed that If I could show students how great the field is that they would all love it. Not so, I've come to realize. Of course there are students who I know that I have infected with my passion of my field. I need to implement some other strategies to let the students know I care about them and want them to succeed. One thing that I started doing a couple of sessions ago was to have the students email me if they were going to miss class or be late. I started it because I was teaching professionalism and wanted to get them used to being held accountable as though I was their employer. After starting this course I realize that it also sends a message to each student that I care about whether or not you attend class, and want them to stay connected. I guess I'll continue doing it. I have learned a handful of great tips so far in this course and have already started sharing them with my peers.
Stephanie,
This is so powerful for students. They need to know someone cares about them as individuals and believes in their potential for success. A person in authority that believes in them is even more important. As the instructor we are that person so we need to reflect the human factor in teaching as much as we can.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Thomas,
Good question and one that is being asked by school all over the country. I have been working with a number of schools in trying to come up with solutions to this question. Some very good ideas out there but still nothing that covers the total financial aid need.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think by using the Human strategy the instructor will have the most success for retaining their students. In the non traditional education system, the students sometimes don't have anyone in their life that believes in them, sometimes they don't even believe in themselves. So when someone they admire or respect suddenly shows them that they can be successful and that they truly believe they can, the student becomes more motivated to become successful.
We have been spending more time on this topic than improving teaching at our campus for the past year and a half. We have tried many different things. The main cause was attendance, we reduced it by following up with absent students and having each instructor emailing students expressing how important class was and what they missed. We have been able to reduce the attendance cause off the list and are left with financial aid as the main reason for retention issues. How do we fix retention now?
Faye,
Such an important part of getting a class off to a good start.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Making sure to learn all students names and making students feel welcome and needed in class.
Showing the students througout different actions that as instructors we care about their success.
LYDIA,
Good way to get to know your students better. You are showing them that you care about them as individuals and that you are there to help them be successful. This places their success within them if they are willing to put forth the needed effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The Instructor can increase student retention by being fair and caring. This needs to start on the first day of class. We are all overwhelmed, however, we can help the student by learning their names and something personal they'd like to share. I've seen 3x5 cards with names, years of schooling and why they have chosen their career choice.
Della,
Good comments about student relationships. We must always retain our professional distance with our students while providing them support and encouragement in relation to the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You are right, we should never confuse showing that we care about the success of our students with "buddying" up with them. As instructors and leaders, we should never cross that line of professionalism. Doing so encourages gossip,animosity, dissatisfaction, and drama amongst students and a loss of respect for, you, the instructor.
Kevin,
Glad that the information was of value to you. You have a strong experience base already so you are building on your expertise to expand your competencies as an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kellie,
Good advice to share. Thanks.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I liked the module material in that it reaffirmed many practices that I implement in the classroom. I also learned a few new ways of rephrasing instructions. The best way for retention is for them to enjoy the experience. I vary activities and have a fluid session so students do not want to miss content from the class.
By making the class more enjoyable..making learning fun
