RETENION
STUDENT RETENTION WILL IMPROVE IF EVERYONE IS UP FRONT WITH WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED AT YOUR SCHOOL. BEING UP FRONT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE STUDENT BECAUSE THEY THAN WILL NOT BE SURPRISE LATER DURING THEIR SCHOOLING AS TO WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED. THIS SHOULD BE REPEATED MANY TIMES.
Servet--
The type of classroom experience you describe is the ideal! Do you use any particular techniques to make this happen in your classroom?
Susan
Well Manage classroom one that providewith areal work world envirement will give students the experiences and confidence necesary to succeed in the work place adressing the course content and expectation and provide opportinities for students to increase their comfort level with classmates and faculty will be great benefit for all concern
I absolutely agree with this. Being candid and consistent with the studnet would prevent buyer's remorse.
I think it also helps for new students to hear from the other students about the commitment required in order to be successful.
Ha,ha,ha. You have probably done a good job is you see the rolling eyes.
Lisa--
I have also found this a growing trend...the amount of time students actuall need to put in as opposed to what they think will be required. Setting those expectations up front (from Admissions to the classroom), helps students be successful.
Susan
I agree. Student expectations should be specifically defined by each instructor. Many students have unrealistic views of what is takes to succeed in college. Many of them do not realize the amount of time and dedication it takes to acquire and implement knowledge. We need to present clear and concise activities to be successful. For instance, present examples of A level work and C level work and quantify the amount of time each requires.
Always sit in the front of the class room and most of all do not memorize the information learn the information .
True, i think there is more to retention though. i review multiple times per day with my students about the class objectives as well as doing a non graded daily review test. The test helps them decide for themselves what the answer is as well as them hearing it from me and writing it down.
I agree that the recruiters need to be upfront and not candy coat what it will take to get through the program successfully. If recruiters are more concerned with weather or not this is a good fit for the student then it is much easier for the faculty to try to retain someone that truly deserves to be in the program. Perhaps stronger testing could be used or a waiting period to weed out those that are not as dedicated or that do not want it as bad. Sadly a school is after all just a business and sometimes students are sold a bill of goods so that the school can make money.
As well as being upfront is consistancy. The students need to see the staff as one cohesive unit. If the students see that some instructors are "harder" on them than others the more they come to disrepect the rules and only follow what individual instructors require in their course.
Retention is tough. I understand what you are saying. I do not sugar coat the fact that my program is difficult. I use the word challenging but I let the students know that this is going to require sacrifice and effort. I think it does help in the long run.
I agree that it is important for the admissions department to be up front with prospects, but I also feel that we in academics need to continue making those expectations clear in orientation as well as in our classrooms. Prospects and student sometimes need to hear an expectation several times before they internalize it. Repetition is key. Of course, you have to find a balance, so people aren't rolling their eyes and muttering, "Oh No, not again."
Bryant--
I completely agree. That is why I think it is so important that the appropriate information and expectations are set up-front in the admissions process.
Susan
However, being up front with students could prove to be a red herring for the institution. If during the admissions process, a lot of this information is not covered, than when the student begins school, there could be a vast disconnect and distrut with the school from the students standpoint once this information overload begins.
