Get Your Students Hired
Elizabeth,
Thank you for this excellent out line on how to increase the retention of students. If the students don't stay in school we can't help them. Instructors are the critical connection in keeping students coming to class and making progress toward their career goals.
Gary
I have the modules on retention strategies very useful. Students come to school with different needs and it is critical that the instructor understands each one of them in order to respond to them individually in a class setting effectively.
The outlines that come with each module and at the beginning of the course I found to be very useful. It is important to follow thie outlines as I find it very useful with the information.
I thought this course was excellent. It gave some great tips on student retention and the ability to help the students. I learned many inportant tips from the course.
It is very important not to embarras students or put them on the spot if they dont understand. I make a strong effort to
bring all students into the discussion and will try and speak with a student after class if I feel they dont understand the material.
I agree completely. Showing relevance to the material is extremely important for the students. They become very interested when they see how the material covered is relevant to their career goals.
Keeping the students focused is extremely important. Sometimes I can tell that students are losing their focus. I will try and change up the classroom format and try to be more interactive with the material. Forming small groups or dividing up the class into teams can create renewed interest in the material.
I agree. It is very important for the students to see Instructors as caring. Sometimes I state that others have had the same issue and this is how they solved the problem. Let the students know that they are not alone and that others have experienced the same problems in their academic careers.
I agree. The Instructor needs to be viewed by the students as someone who cares about their issues and wants to see them succeed. I will often times try to suggest possible solutions to issue and problems raised by the students.
I often try to bring in the actual work expereinces of the students to the class. Adult learners and even
young learners can effectively relate work and life experiences to the material. This also creates interest
among the students who see the material in a different light.
There will always be a situation where students will be required to take a course "just to fulfill a requirement"
It will remain a challenge and the only thing to do is try and give examples of why this may apply to their field.
At times, it may require some creativity, for example, incorporate their particular field in their project or class paper. More work for the instructor but may be fun and challenging for the student and keep their interest.
I have utilized all of the methods in an effort to keep the students engaged and eager to learn. I find that if the student has not properly prepared for entering or re-entering into the learning environment, they usually have difficulty staying in school.
Field trips really give them a since ah ha and how they will apply the knowledge they have learned
Managing students expectations through information. Once students understand the policies and procedures of the local environment, they can learn to navigate successfully.
It is important to encourage students to make good decisions about their leaning process and the plan they have set forth for themselves
Retention.
A complicated "recipe".
To the extent it is possible and appropriate, get to know each student.
Understanding "external" challenges that life, work, kids, parents, ect.. may pose.
If a "bi-directional" dialogue has been established, perhaps the student will disclose a particular challenge early, before he/ she "crashes and burns".
An perhaps the instructor can make a modification or recommendation that will allow some flexibility during a particular challenge.
some things that have worked for me
1) course syllabus is given and every student is tested on it. this ensures that they have read it and understand it
2) I have all students work on weekly projects to present to the class. Each week they are placed with different groups to work with. This is great not only in learning but they get to know each other.
3) Get to know each student and their learning style helps me prepare for their success.
4) provide consistant structure everyday they are given what is expected/gpals for the class session
5) give my personal experience with lots of hands on
6)most of all respect, respect each student.
I agree. As you learn more about your students, you can use thier personal experiences as a lead-in to discussion. For example, "Mr. Jones, you said you worked at a hospital. Have there ever been times when you've seen people leave post-its with thier username or password on thier monitor?"
The response...."Oh, all the time! I can't believe how many people do that!"
Other people will jump in and start to share thier experiences and become part of the discussion.