Where I teach we are preparing students for apprentice jobs in an industry where the journeyman expects and demands a high level of participation, enthusiasm and responsibility.
My job is to educate them according to the core values of our institution and yet expose them to the reality of what their situation is going to be without demorilizing them. Earning their trust is one of the first things that I must do. Being perceptive to their feelings as they sort out where they are in relation to each other in skills is parmount. Just because they are not the fastest or the best at something does not mean that they are not going to a good and qualified employee in the trade. Getting that understood is sometimes the hardest thing to achieve it seems.
Motivation can come in a number of ways from me. Some is , cajoling, some is reward, some is peer pressure and some is just good old fashioned "if you can't do it here, how are you going to be able to do it out there".
My responseability as instructor is that of a mentor, role model and to be as positive as posible presenting the course material.You have to motivate,the students also makeing sure they understand the information. being positive to make all learning constructive.instructors become connected with students and become supporter as well as instructor. retention is good when instructors are motivational along with a good positive attitude.
We are the reason they come here and by showing that we care about them and what there goals are means a lot to them and keeping them interested in the class they are in
As an instructor it is important to be upbeat every day.A good attitude on our part goes a long way to winning student trust and opening communication channels.
We are on the front line of keeping the students in the chairs by doing our job every day. You must keep them involved with their education and the way i find best is to know them by name and not a number. It shows them that you care about themand they are not just a number.
Audie Toney
Avondale Az.
If it is academic, I will work with the student with study and test taking skills. I will suggest tutoring. I remind them that if they feel they would like any specific help I cannot help them with, I encourage them to talk to student services. I will try to follow up with the student to see if they feel they are making progress. I try to be observant for changes in the student’s demeanor. It can be very difficult at times. From the first day I try to get to know the student and begin the class each day with going around and asking the student about how they are doing. Throughout the day as I am interacting with the students I look for signs of drop in interest or frustration. Usually it is related to lack of grasping the material or task. There have been times over the years when a student needs help with a personal issue. Directing the student to the proper resource the get the help they need or sometimes just a listening year that shows I care is all it takes.
As an instructor I try to keep students motivated by relating the material they are trying to learn to real world situations. By giving examples,where possible, of how the material will aid them in doing their job as a technician. I think that this strategy helps keep them going to reach their goals of becoming employed in their career choice.
How do you incorporate learning styles into your classroom presentations? Does your institution provide training about learning styles and how to integrate them into the classroom?
How much information about yourself do you give your students, Leonardo? When talking about your professional experience, do you simply give them information about job titles and employers or do you share "tales of the trail"?
As an instructor, I feel it is my part to deliver the material in a manner that excites and challenges the student. This includes making them want more. This goes back to understanding learning styles. I also feel it is necessary to engage the student with the lecture and activity. The student should leave at the end of the day with the feeling they received what they paid for.
As an Instructor we play a critical role in retention. It is our job to make sure that our students our given the proper tools that they need in order to succeed in this learning institution. I think a good healthy learning environment is a good start. I also like to let my students know a little but about myself and why I am qualified to be an Instructor. I want my students to feel like they know me. I feel this makes me more approachable with any questions or concerns they might have. I also like knowing what there goals in life our and use there comments to motivate.
A motivational and approachable Instructor in my opinion is the key to retention.
How much latitude do you have in giving them different types of test options? How do you determine when to make an exception?
How do handle referrals to people in the necessary channels that can help students work through their problems?
How do assure accessibility for your students? Do you have established office hours?
Jeff, could you share some examples of how you make correction positive and constructive?
Bob, are there any particular personality changes that you look for?
Bill, are you also part of the high school recruiting program?
Is "sops" standard operating procedures? Does this refer to your comments at the start of a course?
How do you report inconsistent performance by a colleague? Does this create hard feelings in the faculty room?
Well said, Errol.
What percentage of your students seek you out for support?
As instructors we play a very important role in a students retention at the campus level. We are often the students first Line of defense (contact) between the school officials and the student, and we as instructors are often the first contact that the student feels most connected with outside of home. As students become connected with their instructors, we become their role models, their mentors, their family away from home. The students usually bond well with the instructor so there is a unique connection between instructor and student. A good many times a student will communicate with his instructor but feel less inclined to talk with others when needing help. Some students are seeking guidance, while others are searching for understanding, and others are looking for someone to vent at, these students just want to be heard and understood. Since we spend so much time with the student and we are often their role model, the student will sometimes come quicker to us quicker than others in the students support group. We can often head off problems, by listening and directing them to the best source of support before they become frustrated to the point of forgoing their dreams. There are all kinds of dream thieves out there and we are the closest support person they have short of their own families. As instructors we have taken on a unique role as supporter as well as instructor so we can't shirk our role and not help the prospective student reach his or her ultimate dream. This will help the entire school (UTI). If we do our part as instructors, we should be able to help most of our students reach their dreams, and retention becomes a non issue. We cannot lower our standards, we must believe in our students and their dreams and we must address all their issues, real or imagined. If we do, all will WIN!
