J.,
Good professional development plan. These efforts will result in increased growth and skill development as an educator.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
1) by studying courses like ed102.
2) by being aware of what drives students to be there in the first place and working those interests into the class dialog.
3) Ask other instructors what they find effective.
4) Ask the students how you can improve the course.
The best way I can think of is direct interaction with the students. With a good two way discussion you can determine their individual needs and come up with a plan to meet those needs. It should be noted that the student needs may change from time to time and you need to be flexible in your presentation to ensure that needs are met. Ask questions as needed to be sure that all are understanding the material and give the students some time to digest new material prior to asking regarding their understanding.
Another thing is to present an enthusiastic positive attitude and know your material.
If a challenge does arrise with an individual, be sure to make yourself available to provide extra assistance as needed.
Basically communication is the head of the list followed by preparation and presentation.
I feel the best way to tell if your retention strategies are effective is by listening to what your students are telling you. Wether this is by means of instructor evaluation surveys or by discussions during class. Are your students engaged? Do they show interest? If you promote an interactive class room, one that allows open discussion on topics, you will find your students engaged in the material you are presenting. I like to allow the students to try and answer questions to material presented in class and then clarify the information in follow up discussion.
Becoming familiar with the students. What have they learned in their jobs or previous classes. I like the statement of the Harvard instructor that we must know our students. Knowing their retention history is an important beginning. Second moving the knowledge from short to long term memory. I believe repetion is important in doing so. Letting the students move materials into the working memory by giving projects and assignments that relate directly to their chosen field. I like to set my students free to use all their resources in remembering. I am there to facilitate that process if they are stuck or unable to do so.
Kathryn,
Good follow up. Even if they don't come back to school they know that they have someone that missed them and wants them to come back. This contact often results in them coming back to school once they have resolved their problems because they know they have support.
Gary
A portion of my introduction tells my personal history in acquiring an education. I stress my understanding of work, family and other issues. I try to build the rapport that success is possible if one really wants to succeed. I want them to know they are not alone and that I am here to help them reach their goals.
I call all absentees the first few days of class, to tell them we "missed them" in class, and can we expect to see them next time? I will remind them that I have special materials for them, and I look forward to working with them during their college experience. They truly can't believe an instructor called them (I surely didn't have this luxury during my college experience)! It also shows that we're reminding them of their goals, and are willing to assist them.
Great posts and comments! I absolutely agree that encouraging retention is paramount and that as instructors; we are often the first line of defense.
Retention can be as simple as sending our personalized emails each week to offer personal guidance, feedback and positive reinforcement.
Sometimes, a further step might be needed in cases where student do not return to class.
However, because integrity is priority for all academic institutions, we as teachers must also be cautious not to alter expectations during our endeavor of retention.
In my experience, I have found that clarity and communication are excellent tools to encourage natural retention.
Great strategies. When students receive positive feedback, it helps contribute to a positive learning environment which leads to students feeling comfortable, and ultimately retention.
Kimberly,
Students of all ages like games and this is a good one. Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
I would have the students write questions from the chapter and turn them in. I would then play a game like Jeopardy, the winner I would give a soda or the fireball candy... saying they were HOT...
Excellent answer Karen, I agree. I enjoy creating a positive environment by using alot of positive reinforcement; finding something, even the most remote positive thing about the most difficult student and giving effective praise.
I find the most effective praise encompasses close physical distance, facial expression, non verbal jesture of approval, being very specific with the verbalization.
I also tend to have little songs that students like to sing along to, which gives them each a piece in the scenerio and has shown to be very enlightening.
I will always believe that education should be a fun, learning experience.
I like to (attempt) to engage students in conversations that are related to the course but are not exactly over the course materials.
For instance, I decided to attempt online chat this coming semester via Facebook. When considering my choice, I sent an email to my class asking what they thought of my idea, what would be the best program to use, and if they thought the tool would be helpful.
Although not everyone responded, I did receive positive and negative feedback concerning instant messages.
I believe asking students for their thoughts based on outside classroom knowledge helps retention and improves the student/instructor relationship.
We, as instructors need to have a comfortable atmosphere where students want to come back.
I would agree! I teach developmental math and I strive to show a student something they did well each time they ask me a question. They like the positive feedback, especially in a subject where they feel they don't do well.
Another aspect to Effective Retention Strategies is simply being sincerer and treating the students the way you would like to be treated. I find if you can connect with each of your students in a sincerer and respectful manner, you can motivate and empower them to go further in their course work and learning.
I strongly agree that as an instructor you need to have the student feel that you care about them as an individual and that care to see them succeed. You need need to give a personal touch with each student no matter how busy you may be.
Kara,
Keep providing the encouragement and feedback but don't get trapped into babysitting them. It is easy to do and there has to be accountability and commitment on their part as well. They have to understand you have already graduated and been successful so you don't need to do the course work, you have the big desk in the room.
Gary
Although I feel I provide encouragement and positive feedback, I often feel as if I'm "babysitting". I know this isn't the best attitude to have. However, I have a difficult time understanding why some students' hands need to be held......They should want to be there and not have to be talked into staying in school.
