Loretta,
How does one demonstrate "paying attention" to the students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
At my school we pay special attention to our students via both classroom monitoring and high level administrative meetings that target at risk students.
At the instructional level, we have a point system that assesses the students’ level of involvement in classroom activities. This approach reinforces good student behavior, and discourages negative behavior.
Most importantly, it shows that we care about the education of all of our students, and is designed to ensure that those students that are here to learn; do learn.
At the administrative level, at risk students are identified, and discussed in weekly meetings, in conjunction with the school counselors, to identify barriers to their success, and to discuss the ways in which we can help them.
This help can take a number forms, including, but not limited to transportation, tutoring, financial assistance, etc.
I agree. It all comes to down to caring. If you truly care about each of your students, paying attention to them comes naturally. And, let's face it, if you don't care about them, you need to find another line of work.
Our school has a common goal of student retention.
We have a retention commitee that discuss and present opportunities for better and or maintained retention. Students are communicated with on an individual basis and followed up on through out their educational experience.
There are a variety of things my school does to demonstrate that we are paying attention to our students. For instance, when a student is absent from class, our faculty are proactive in their approach to contacting the student to see if they are well. If students are falling behind on assignments or need tutoring services, our faculty advise and counsel them so that they are able to feel a sense of accountability not only to themselves, but to their academic success.
The welcome team makes the day before and three days after the student starts their first class. After that, the instructor's and program directors will call whenever there is an absence.
we give the students awards for be on time
Bruce,
Do you continue to make regular phone contacts after the first three weeks?
Jeffrey Schillinger
One of the methods we use for paying attention to our students is calling them by telephone. We have a Welcome Team which divides up the names of starting students. We call them the day before and three days after their first day of class. We tell them we want them to feel welcome, and ask if they have any questions or issues they want to voice.
The school I am at has a mentoring staff for specific student concerns and encourages instructors and staff to be available and involved to all students.
Robert,
This is a good strategy. Our classes met for 12 weeks. We had out teachers do similat advising in weeks five and nine.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We use various forms and require regular feedback to the students. For example, at the middle of a term we complete a students Mid-Course review, so that there aren't any surprises about their performance at the end of the term. Such things serve as reminders, but also give an opportunity to interact with the student one-on-one - something that I often don't make time for.
As mentioned in some of the previous replies, our school has a bulletin board specifically for students who have achieved a 4.0 GPA and Perfect Attendance earch quarter. I personally make it a point to say hello to every student I encounter while going to class and learn each students name on the first day of class. The response is great, they truly appreciate that I made an effort to learn their names immediately. I also greet them as they come into the classroom and thank them as they leave. This is done on a daily basis. I know it makes a difference, because I see their smiles as they come into the class, and if they are going to be out, they make the effort to inform me. I ask about their children or interest and share some of my fun stories about my grandson. They all know my little man (Moses) and ask about him.
It is great!! I'm glad I'm on the right track. I also lead by example, no food or drinks in the class including myself.
Mark,
Nice plan. Thanks for sharing it!
Jeffrey Schillinger
Tricia,
These are great days when the staff and faculty are really into it. It is important not to allow folks to just go through the motions.
Jeffrey Schillinger
The school that I am associated with has a couple different approaches to give attention to the students that they deserve.
The students receive a call each week from their mentor for a weekly check in. During the conversation, the student’s motivation, goal, and academic status are discussed. Some students may not be available during the initial call from the mentor that week. If that is the case, the mentor will email or send a Facebook message. If no contact has been made through the various mediums, the mentor will do a follow up call later in the week.
Monitoring grade reports is another tool that is used to show students that they are being paid attention to. If a student’s grade has had a dramatic change, either positive or negative, they will get a call. The call will either congratulate them for bringing their grade up or discuss what has happened to have their grade drop and what can be done to successfully move forward. Also, if the student has not been participating for a few days they will also receive a call to check to see what has been happening.
The conversations that are had during the weekly outreach and the monitoring of grade reports gives the student the feeling that they are truly being paid attention to.
We have student appeciation days where we celebrate the students attendance and grades with awards and give away a student of the month reward based on the above criteria plus setting a good example. The students look frorward to this every month and they are so proud!
i agree the students must know you care about them personally, but you must also keep there attention by making the actual teaching fun and interesting. As a result of this module and the feedback on the forums, i have started taking a few minutes of class talking to them about my experiences and challenges in school and how i overcame some obstacles. Then as students for them to relate success story from their past. I try to tie it together to acknowledge the difficulty of the program, and let them know they were personally picked to be there and if they stay focused and positive they will succeed. We have to be believable, the voice of reason, and a light of encouragement.
Amjad,
What are some of the most important things on your retention plan?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Joyce,
This is a common approach that is usually effective if the call is centered on helping the student and not just a check in the bix for the faculty member.
Jeffrey Schillinger
