You play the most important part of the puzzle. The instructor spends more time with the student than anyone else. You can impact the student by just helping to guide them along on their everyday process in school. Always do the right thing and think of the students.
On the first day of class I go through a greet and meet.In the introduction to themselves I ask there name where there from and why they are here and what do they expect from here.Also on a daily basis I interact by saying hello how are you and LISTEN AND RESPOND wether it is good,bad or indiferent.if they are having difficulty addapting I try to reference to the help we have on campus.Example Student services or financial aid or towards direction of need.
Spending the time to get to know your students from day 1 is critical. If they don't feel comfortable with you as an instructor, you certainly won't be able to read them when they have issuses that may be overwhelming to them.
Do you go so far as to clearly state what they can expect from you? Is it fair for them to evaluate how well you did meeting these expectations in the end of course survey?
As an instructor you set up and give the student you expect them to accomplish during your class. If you don't hold up your side of that or tend to go off track you cause dis content in the class. So, 1. Set expectations that they can understand clearly and know what goals they will attain.; 2. Hold yourself to that, if you want to give them extra information that is fine, but explain that is outside of what you normally do and they won't be tested on it. As long as you keep up your end of the bargain and communicate, they will stay in class.
My part always exists no mater where I am. I run into students all over town and encourage them in whatever environment I find them in. I have seen some of those who dropped while "out and about" and still try to get them back in to finish. But that is as far as I can go when thier trouble is with student loans etc.
As an instructor one of the most important things that I can do is to make the students feel that they are my reason for being at work today. Too often we get rushed or pressured and students get the impression that we see them as an annoyance. If the student doesn’t believe that we see his education as important then he may not take it seriously either.
Successful retention of students begins with the instructor. With the intense pressures that accompany being an instructor and dealing with classroom management, instructors frequently find themselves transferring their personal discomforts and negative outlooks to their fellow instructors and students. Begin by demonstrating to both your fellow instructors and students a positive attitude and outlook for the day regardless of how you feel about it personally. Starting each class with upbeat comments and presenting the positive opportunities that exist for the day, should lead everyone to begin the class with a smile on their faces.
At the start of each class, take a few minutes to greet each of your students as they arrive with a smile and enthusiasm. Share some positive comments and demonstrate a sincere interest in them.
If a student approaches you with a concern, avoid assigning blame. Listen intently, and then work diligently to help them find a solution. I try to be observant for changes in the student’s demeanor. It can be very difficult at times. If it is caused by an academic problem, I inform my students that failure is not an option. I am available both before and after class. I will suggest tutoring as an available option for help on study and test taking skills. If the students concern requires attention beyond what I can provide I will encourage them to talk to student services. I will follow up with the student to see if they feel they are making progress in finding a solution to their concern.
As with all the previous responses,our role at our 'institution' is not just that of an instructor,but also a mentor,someone to model behavior,someone to listen to their problems and frustrations,and also,hopefully,someone to share their successes with.Someone said about a hundred posts ago'a smile goes a long way'.I agree.Same as an anonymous 'how are ya doing?' in the hallway.My role is also to share real world experiences,as well as what the students need to expect when the get their chance to make their own mark in the world.
keep subject material interesting and challenging /and stay alert to student attention and participation in class and lab.i stay interested in their commitment to succeed and give praise often.
As an instructor it is important to have a positive attitude in class and in the hallways and the students need to know you are a person they can talk to .
it's not just an instructors responsibility to encourage retention. it's every section of the organization. I try to encourage the students to understand there is great value in learning what we have to offer, and that they can only learn by being here. It also helps to provide a enthustic learning enviorment.
My part as an instructor is to meet the academic objectives of the institution and the students.
My part as an instructor is to help meet the schools obligations to the student to provide a quality education and also to provide an environment where the student desires to be in school
Actually listening to students' feedback.
I try to play as thier roll model. What ever I expect them to do I also do. I also feel you should talk to the student and be understanding and a good listner and not talk at them.
Instructors have the opportunity to identify most academic or personal issues that students may have and will need to identify them if possible. From what I have seen over the years is that most students will become frustrated to the point of forgoing their dreams. This now comes my part to help remove that frustration (if I can) by talking with the student about this frustration and help the student come up with a working plan that will help remove most of the frustration. Accessibility for students I have hours that are set before or after class. If a student has set a time but fails to come in, I will not allow the student to come back in until that student has put in writing why they have missed that appointment. This I found holds the student accountable for there actions and works well for me. John
If this was a perfect world, students would confide their problems to their instructor, and the instructor would automatically be able to magically make the problems disappear, or at least not seem so bad. Sadly, I cant do that. What I do try to do is be available if a student wants to talk about anything. If I can help, I will. If I can direct the student to someone else who can help, Ill do that too. Mostly what I see is personal problems that need to be addressed by the student himself. What I try to do is guide the student into making the decision that is best for him in the long run.
I keep my class interesting.i keep them involved in class lectures and hands on.comedy does also help.if the students likes you and your form of teaching(style)he/she will enjoy and look forward to comming to this campus and learn.keep it simple,keep it fun-if all possable.
As An instructor, we play a hugh role in student retention. We are the ones that the students have the most contact with and therefore we will make the biggest impression on them. I try to treat all of students with respect, honesty, and courtesy. I don't paint them a picture of some fairy tale world where money falls out of the sky, but remind them they came here to learn a skill that will reward them for hard work....and that work starts here!
