Student retention
Keeping students in class and looking forward is difficult, but if the instructor keeps all the students involved in different sections of the course it keeps there interest, plus a hands on
activite seem to keep them interested and returning to class the following day.
Donald--
The stronger connection we can make between the classroom and the work place the better. It encourages students and provides them with motivation to master the material at hand. While we can argue that all subjects prepare students for the future, we don't always articulate how. It's important to make that connection.
Susan
I agree that we need to keep their interest and I would like to add that we need to continue to enforce how the activities they perform now will lead to a profitable career for them. We can make the connection from school to the job place. This keeps it in perspective and shows them that they will be ready to take on a job in our field.
John--
It is truly difficult to always keep students focused on the end goal. The daily pressures of 'life' along with the classwork does take it's toll.
You are absolutely correct about maintaining student involvement, especially with the hands on activities. Sometimes making the connection between what they are doing now and how this applies on-the-job makes the information more inspiring to them.
Susan
