I think attending staff/faculty meeting discussing various strategies helps to keep everyone in the same facility on the same page. Other instructors always seem to have helpful suggestions too
I think fellow faculty members can be great resources for ideas
Applying the idea of putting information into "bit-sized chunks" so that you keep the students attention on a subject is very true. Students get tired and you lose their concentration if you continue with a matter for a long period of time. Getting students up and involved on the subject keeps their minds from wondering and lets everyone interact with each other.
Hi Suzanne,
You responded to the question in a comprehensive and well thought out manner. The key to the question is the understanding that the instructor is critical to the retention of students. The Student Services Office can do many things and they should but the personal relationships developed by the instructors are essential. This is due to the fact that the instructors are with the students daily and they help to integrate the students into the learning environment.
Gary
Dr. Meers:
This question is a bit confusing to me. As I understand it, you are asking how instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies for use in their classes. Instructors can become aware of effective retention strategies from speaking with other instructors, taking training classes and availing themselves of information from the university or teaching institutions or professional groups on what effective strategies may have been developed in the past. Additionally, instructors may develop some strategies and then determining after the course is completed whether the class retention was at 100% or similar. This would then be an opportunity to determine whether the methods in use were successful or not.
Suzanne
I like small classes since I can give individualized attention to each student. This is somewhat difficult for large classes. However, by putting students in small groups, I ask them to apply what is being taught. I challenge them to think of situations where this concept may be applicable.
At the same time, I treat all my students with courtesy and respect. I tell them that I care about their education, but I cannot do it alone. It has to be a partnership.
Know your students! retention strategies are different for the diverse groups of students we see each day. dealing with the adult learner and some of the challenges that they face is much different from dealing with the generation nexters in the class. Even preferred means of communication is different with age diversity. Where an older student may prefer a phone call or e-mail, an 18 year old might prefer a text.
Regardless of whether they are external or internal issues I like to be proactive in getting the issue out of the way so the student can concentrate on their work rather than an issue outside of school. I see it that as soon as they can settle this issue the better the chances are they will stay in school. an empathic ear, directing the student to somone that can help, involving student services and all other departments necessary to overcome the issue is necessary before it becomes too big to bear for the student.
I always keep a midterm for my classes, at the end of the test or a project, i give a feedback form and ask the students about the class and improvements if any. I study the feedback and if need to make improvements, i implement it immediately the following week. This help the students and the instructor bonding - when the bonding improves and when students get comfortable..the retention improves. it is an ongoing process and we have to deal with students indivdually.
In my situation I try to always enhance the curriculum given my school to make sure the students receive up to date information and feel they receive what they paid for.
Doug
Effective retention strategies can be learned from other instructors who have more success in retaining students.
Hi Bill,
Thank you for the compliments about the module. I agree with you and I hope that these topics do come up at your faculty meetings and in-service trainings.
Gary
I believe this should be an on-going in-service training experience for instructors. As I have indicated previously, we - the facutly - are the primary determinants of student retention. We have the closest relationship with the students, and it is through our personal and professional efforts that students acquire an impression of both themselves and our respective institutions. The issues discussed in this unit are crucial and should be a topic of discussion in faculty meetings and in-service training sessions.
Letting know the student you care about their well-being both in and out of the classroom. When a student misses a class ask about them and tell them they were missed. A student is like any other person, they want to know they are appreciated and welcomed.
You need to identify why the students are having issues. Are the external or internal issues? Once they are identified as an instructor you can work with the services the institution offers to help the student. The resources used will depend on the situation. We have weekly meetings on at risk students and work with multiple departments to find resources and possible solutions for the students issues.
It has been said that 'knowledge is power'. In the context of student retention knowledge of the student's wants and needs is all powerful. There can be no substitute for understanding what the student is looking for in a class. I usually ask each student ta the beginning of the class what they expect out of that class both personally and professionally. This helps me to address any student who has a negative attitude or low expectations.
There is quite a lot of research on best practices in student retention. Understanding these practices and the issues of a particular college/university is important to designing retention strategies that will meet the needs of our students.
It’s important that instructors understand that they have a role and responsibility in student retention. Typically, schools gather data on student retention. Most conduct student satisfaction surveys regularly and this info can help instructors understand student reasons for leaving.
Ellen your reply is great and that is what I try to do all the time.
Retention-I start my new classes off trying to relax each student whatching for the differences in there personalitys small jokes to start off, helps create conversation which hopefully will last the three weeks of the course
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for sharing this resource with us. This website has much information that is of value to instructors. I am sure that many of the participants will review this site for content that will help them with retention.
Gary
