Retention
It is important to have a routine structure in the lesson plan while integrating a variety of diverse learning mediums. In an attempt to increase retention we must satisfy interest and create and environment where the student feels like he or she is learning.
I agree. It is extremely important to have a routine structure with the flow of the course in order to keep the students engaged. The adult learner is easily distracted and can stray away from the target if improperly engaged. The instructors must maintain a high level of motivation and enthusiasm to keep the students from losing interest and dropping out of school. Thanks for sharing.
It makes a lot of sense to have a structured approach to teaching adult learners. More often than not clarity makes it possible for adults to focus on what to a minimum is relevant to an objective they want to accomplish. With work and family issues competing for their attention, adults just want to meet the basic requirement. A structured lesson becomes the clearest roadmap to achieving this basic minimum.
Hi Shawna,
Awesome ways to accomodate your different generations of students. I am sure your babyboomers really appreciate the paper version of the test.
Patricia Scales
Alexis this is so true and really hit home. At my institution, I have a hybrid of ages and with regard to technology, they are all in a different mind state. For example, I offer testing on line and on paper (via scantron). The older generation have a fear of computers and prefer scantron, but I use both methods. With regard to learning styles, I still use the traditional auditory, kinesthetic and visual methods and found this triage effective for all styles.
Hi Janet,
It is a challenge. Let the 18 year olds help the 60 year olds with technology and let the 60 year olds help the 18 year olds with experience/wisdom.
Patricia Scales
for the adult learner I have students 18 yrs to 60 years and it's quite the challenge for all our instructors to engage and retain this huge variety of adults
Hi Chris,
Awesome that you routinely contact your students. Some students will disappear the moment they become frustrated. They will not reach out for encouragement/help.
Patricia Scales
I work with online students and retention is a major issue. When a student is working from home, they encounter distractions and frustrations. Its very easy from them to get up and walk away from the computer and we never hear from them again. Our techniques include routine phone calls, emails and text messages. Although this seems to work, Social media is the most effective tool to keep students engaged. However, we are sadly refrained from using social media. So strucutre in the classroom and with routine contact efforts are what seem to pay off for the online learner.
Hi Somen,
These are great practices put in place to help better retention. Students tend to do well when they know the instructor's format.
Patricia Scales
All of my courses have a common structure and weighted categories. Furthermore, my tests are structured the same and the students know there is a paper due and a project. This way, when I have a student a second or third time, they know exactly what to expect and they appreciate the stability and can prepare for class as such. I provided a class-by-class Topical outline with not only the material covered but also the chapters in the book that go with every class.
I agree. I think my students like structure and routine and even tradition. The same things we value about going home, having a base to touch that we can count on being mostly the same each time we visit.
Hi Anne Alexis,
I concur! We must do our due diligence in every way to sell the student on wanting to come back to class the next day. Make things fun and interesting to entice your students to want to keep coming back.
Patricia Scales
