Strategies for student retention
For each student have different styles of teaching methdods.
Kimberly,
I agree that we need to have some of the skills of a chameleon to teach for each of the student's learning. How do you manage balancing the chameleon act? For example, have you become too much of a chameleon towards some students and yourself for others?
Angela
Christopher,
We all deserve to have one on one attention at times. If we have a student who is just jumping back into school, there will probably be a learning curve. Good point!
Shelly Crider
I too agree, we have to treat all students the same but they all are differnt. sometimes this means we need to take the time and do some one on one. this is hard on line and my get better as tech gets better. As i teach on campus with students in the class; many times it takes see and reading the students body languge to figure out that they dont get it. This is where i get my feed back and when i get the chance to focus or restate the information in way that other may get it. some times it means drawing a picture.
I agree that every student has different learner techniques. I have found that most students are visual learners. They learn by having illustrations, charts and graphs to help them understand the concepts.
Another methodology is applied application; we as instructors can lecture all day long. However, I noticed my students do not fully grasp the objectives unless they are given the opportunity to apply what was learned from the textbooks.
The students want to know when they will use this process learned from the textbooks etc. Teaching cannot be based on just academics without an applied application.
Kimberley,
I love this analogy! We do have to show patience and flexibility. These are the soft skills students need to learn as well!
Shelly Crider
As an instructor, I think that you have to be flexible and embody some of the skills of a chameleon so that most of the needs of each student is met.
I worry about this as well. I also watch carefully their body language and facial expressions to gauge understanding. I suppose asking for information through the feedback channels may work or maybe that is too public for a student who is still struggling to understand material to publicly respond.
I think the other part of student retention (other than reaching out to all learning styles) is to be sure the instructor is accessible to the students. The instructor needs to answer questions promptly (whether is to return phone calls or emails)and assist the students if they have any problems. I know at my school if a student is struggling or falling behind in a course it is very important to reach out to the student. The experience has to be enjoyable for the student.
Carrie,
Great posting, I don't find it easier to gauge a student's learning style in the traditional setting either. I agree with using different online topics as well and I usually add a follow-up question to my DB topics to keep the conversation moving along.
Deborah Balentine
I agree that many teachers are not teaching to all the different different types of learners. I have observed instructors teaching in a style that is easiest for the instructor to learn and not their students. I think that it is important to have on-campus mentors and inservices that support instructors branching out of their comfort zone.
I agree but sadly in the online world, that becomes a difficult task. The main reason is because you can't gauge your students learning styles if they don't reach out to you. While the same holds true in a traditional setting, you still have the ability to read on their faces if they understand a topic or not. In the online world, you most likely will not see their confusion until they fail an assignment or quiz. I think using a lot of online discussion topics and making it a requirement for every student to complete at least 2 discussion topics is a good way to see into the minds of the students that are on the other side of the screen.
I will agree with you and take it a step further. Not only must the instructor engage the different styles of the learners, but the technology employed must also be crafted to reach out to different learners. While threaded discussions and chats play an integral role in nearly every online course, they will not reach the auditory learner. The course material must also be presented in a fashion to include, not exclude. Chats can be supplemented with Skype-like audio communications, or even a lower-tech conference call.
I agree with your position. However, many teachers are unwilling to meet the needs of all of their students. Teachers must be able to engage the auditory learner, visual learner, and the kinestic learner.
Mrs. Portilla,
Your statement couldn’t be truer. As any good teacher knows, all students do not learn in the same way. In addition, it is common for a class of students to be at a variety of levels in any particular subject. Teachers need to use different teaching methods in order to reach all students effectively. A variety of teaching strategies, knowledge of student levels, and an implementation of which strategies are best for particular students can help teachers to know which teaching methods will be most effective for their class.
Patricia,
True....in online and traditional classes.
Shelly Crider
