By, Edwardo Mojena
It’s always important to have 1on1 time with each student early that may be starting to have problems at beginning before it gets to far and able to correct. This will help individually the student so they will feel that they may have a chance.
Being empathetic and approachable seems to help build a rapport with students. If a student knows they can go to you with an issue, they are more likely to seek help verse just disappearing.
To me, knowing your students is the first place to start. After time, an overview of student evaluations, verage grades on each subjects can be very useful
Hi Asma,
Good to hear because sometimes online students can feel forgotten even though they aren't. By reaching out to them as you do you reduce the chance for isolation.
Gary
In asynchronous environments, it is very important that each instructor shares the successes and the areas that needs to be improved individually with a caring approach. The students in online environments require some attention as compared to the other students. I work with my students individually and if they have any concerns they share with me.
Hi Nicole,
Yes, this is so important. The personal caring approach needs to be brought to the classroom so each student knows the instructor cares about their success.
Gary
Instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies by continuing to communicate with students in and out of the classroom. Some students feel more personalized attention is spent on them when I take break with them or when I pass them in the hall.
Hi Asma,
This is a good point about online courses. If students don't participate there is no way to "read" what is going on with them. So every effort should be made to keep them engaged and communicating with you throughout the duration of the course.
Gary
Participation is the key factor that help instructors to find out if students will be in the class or not. Every instructor should know that how much the students participate in the classroom activities. Classroom activities such as discussion boards and individual assignments submissions can show the instructor if the participation is good or not.
I believe that just being open to what the students are asking, and making every student feel like their questions are important.
Hi Cyndy,
You are so right on this. I teach these types of courses so I experience the students not seeing value to what is being offered. This is why I have to work extra hard to keep them focused on the content and engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Ask appropriate questions and be ready to help students find resources if needed for tutoring, etc.
Other experience instructors/teachers/admin/reaearch
Retention strategies have to be personalized at times for the specific student as to what is going on in their lives and how they are relating in the classroom.
Empowering the student, measuring the intent, does this student really want to be here and are they interested in the subject matter. The general Education classes are probably the hardest for the success of the student. They never seem to understand the need for the silly class, so one has to give special efforts to make the environment inviting and worth for return..
Hi Beth,
This is bringing the human component into the classroom. We are perk up when we know someone cares about us and our success.
Gary
Treat every student as an individual,say Hi and Bye everyday. Encourage students to talk abot their day or week and bring in their life experience so you can get to know your students.
Hi Dominga,
Good way to get interaction going by your students plus helping them to get settled into the course. By getting to share something about themselves they see that they are being valued as human beings rather than just paying students.
Gary
On the first day of each MOD I have each student to introduce themselves to the class and to tell us the name of their support system while in school- I let them know that i will ask them about whomever they referred to on day one (parents, children, spouses, girlfriend, etc.) if i feel they are not fully focused on the SET GOAL.
there are many ways to find out if your students are retaining information, but i think the most obvious would be......when you are discussing something from the day before and your student looks at you like it was the first time they heard it.
