Attention=Retention
How are some ways you connect with your studets?
Jason,
You are absolutely correct. The things you describe, when paired with great teaching, absolutely help with retention.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Our entire staff is very good at connecting with our students. I along with another co-worker sit at the front desk and we greet students as they enter the building. Many just say"hi" but others have taken that invitation to come talk to us regularly about school, their lives and things they may be struggeling with or even are interested in. We have built many great relationships just by that simple acknowedgement. I beleive that creating those relationships help with our retention.
Giovanni,
All good things. Try to plan things in your lessons that allow for greater opportunities for friendly interactions.
Jeffrey Schillinger
When I see them I make sure I smile and say hello to them. I ask them how their day is going, or how was there weekend. If there is an opportunity, I share with them my experience in the field of work.
Jeffrey,
Calling on the quiet students, and making sure they get a chance to speak without being interrupted, is very important. Thanks for pointing it out.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Much can be learned about the student's personality by discussing why they chose to solve a particular assignment the way they did. Most classes have a cross-section of students who verbally participate, and may seem easy to rely on the more vocal ones to keep a discussion going, however it is important to encourage the "quiet ones" to participate equally. Calling on them by name is the first step.
Kenneth,
Great observation. Students who feel isolated or who isolate themselves are often the first to leave.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Besides just being attentive in the classrooms, I ask the staff to be mindful of the students while they are on break. I particularly look for students that are sitting alone. If these students continue to keep to themselves, they many times are the first casualties of retention. I find that by spending some time with them and trying to hook them up with other students helps give them a sense of belonging. It's amazing the difference once they see that they matter.
Traci,
This is a great way to show caring.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I ask them about their goals for completing the course, what they think is helpful from me as an instructor to help them meet their goals, as well as asking them to tell me something about themselves.
I find it is very important to stay in touch with your students on a regular basis
Elisa,
Thank you for this post. It sounds like you are already paying attention.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I connect with my students by asking about their jobs, their pets, or about any interesting cases at their rotations. I plan to implement the attention=retention study that was recommended by this course.
Meher,
Do you do anything during your lectures that allows students to share during class?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I always start my lecures with asking the students how are they, how was the weekend. how are things going at home etc. they like it.
I firmly believe that creating the personal connection is very important to retention. One practice that we put into place recently was the creation of special ID badges for our students that are signed up for an elective program. The badges are attractive and allow our elective Instructors to identify their students months in advance of the start of their program. This time allows opportunity to make personal connection and develop rapport, which should lead to improved retention.
Jeannette,
Thank you for this post. What are the most effective strategies for doing so?
Jeffrey Schillinger
It's very important to stay in communication with students at all times.
I also have them tell us something about themselves that the rest of us probally would not expect of them.
