My responsibility limits
How do I know where my responsibility for student retention ends and the students' own responsibility begins? Sometimes I feel like I am being pressured to assure success even at the cost of allowing my students to take ownership of their own learning. I don't feel like they will be successful in the real world if they don't learn to commit themselves to putting out their best effort, but I feel like am pressured to assure passing not necessarily learning.
I feel the instructors responsibility is to inform the students about the information presented to them, explain just how much value the course they are enrolled in is going to give them. Share both personal and professional benefits. Of course be open to hear about the challenges they face, but do not lower your standards to allow retention to be the goal. Provide clear and open instruction, expectations, information and deliver it with a positive attitude. The rest is up to the student.
Not so much for me because I know, having been involved in most of the facets of my industry all my life, there are parts not as desirable to do. I am a high performance enthusiast/instructor and I realize not everyone is interested just as I am not interested in ball sports. I continue to have the passion for not just their education, but for my enjoyment as well. I only become frustrated when a student refuses to acknowledge the benefit of the information which is very rare.
Steve, it must be frustrating to have students who think they know enough to be selective about what they will need to know.
I understand your dilemma. I feel the same way on a regular basis. What I have done in the past, is ask the student if this is really what they want to do. Many times it is, but they want to take parts of their education and specialize. Now the onus is on me to explain, during a class they feel is irrelevent, why this class is important to their overall success and how it ties into their ultimate goal. Using this tactic has proven successful most of the time, however, it doesn't always work. Sometimes, the lesson is they will have to do undesirable things in their career because it is part of the job.
Patricia, are you able to link pre-admission test results with graduation and national board results? My guess is that some with high pretest results fail while some with low results master the material.
Alphia, do you share this expectation with your students? I would think that it could be motivating to them to realize that they are representing you, as well as the school, in their professional practices.
I feel this is true. I work in a program where retention is extremely important for the school. However, like you mention it has its turn around. Our students have to pass 2 national boards to receive a license. Student’s that just pass through usually fail boards and are strapped with large student loans they can’t repay but would have been able to if admission policies required a higher pretesting to get in. This would also help with retention rate.
I feel responsible for each student that come into my class room, because they will be using my name in the field , as their mentor/ instructor. I do not want my name or school associated with a student with no human dignity, or who want things handed to him/her on a platter. Each student have to be responsible as do I for the ultimate outcome.
Good point, Eric. It is impossible to over emphasize the need for open, candid discussion among faculty, staff and administration about satisfactory academic progress. This should include an understanding of what support resources are available and how/when they are to be used.
Students who simply are "pushed thru" creat problems grater than themselves. They are looked down upon by other students and faculty. It will become infectious, folowing them thru the entire course of study. Challenging these students or finding a different approach to teaching them can help turning them around.
That's an uncomfortable feeling that requires an open discussion. Students who simply passed through a course will become a problem sooner or later.
