In order to keep retention high, we call students if they're late or absent, have tutoring available, and have special events thru out the year.
We also have written, and verbal ways of letting the student know if they're getting behind in tests, attendance, or labs.
Instructors are trained to watch for students who may have personal problems which might interfere with there education, and help when necessary.
Thanks, Deanne. These are typical of the things good schools do to pay attention to their students. Are there any things that the school administration does regularly to stay involved?
we have awards for attendance and grades. we have end of term activities. we discuss mid term grades with them. we keep an open door policy and discuss any issues that are keeping them from success. we call students when they have missed time at school or when we see their grades are declining.
Thanks, Matthew. What are the student behaviors that demonstrate the core values and ideal you reference?
Thanks, Jacki! This is a great "how to" lesson for distance education faculty.
our school has begun a program to reward students that show our core values and ideals. They give them recogniton by a special pin and to some classes they give them a free lunch. The students appreciate this, after all they are starving college students.
I still use the student's name. It's a different way to establish a connection with the student, but it can be done. I read and re-read my text before sending it. I want it to be perceived as friendly, caring and informative. Also, when the student lets me know about an illness or major event with themselves or a family member, I ask how they're doing and show that I'm concerned.
Thank you, Sondra.
All of the things you mention are "best practices" used by good schools. Keep doing them.
One thing you may want to try is to contact the students who have dropped out to find out what you did well and what you may have done better. we learned a lot at my school a few years ago when we did this.
We have a lot in place but could always do more. We call students who miss class, we have a student lounge, we do perfect attendance awards in our newsletter and do a raffle each month for a gift card. The students seem to like it. We do academic advising....and more.
Thanks, Dee. Folks should find this helpful!
These are the main question areas addressed on the student surveys:
The instructor responds to my questions within 48 hours of being sent/posted.
The instructor’s involvement adds value to the online learning environment.
The instructor returns graded assignments with comments that help to improve my future performance.
The instructor interacts with students through email, the discussion board, and other available features on a regular and consistent basis.
The instructor models the tone and quality of proper interaction with students.
The instructor emphasizes key concepts and other pertinent course related information through ongoing contact with students.
Maureen,
You may want to get your team together to discuss the systems you have in place. It is easy to fall into the trap of spending 90 percent of your time on 10 percent of your students. The trick is to streamline processes for addressing the advising needs of these students so that a majority of your time can be spent with and for the majority of they students.
I feel I am in a simular situation. That 90% of my time is spent with the students who have an attendance problem or grade issues. Leaving only 10% of my time left for the students who are not at risk.
Thanks, Dee.
Others who take this course might be interested in some of the things that the survey addresses that directly reference the quality of instruction. What are some of the things that are addressed on your school's course survey?
My school offers student surveys during and after the course, offering students the opportunity to critique the instruction and support the are receiving. As an instructor, this information is invaluable to me - it allows instant feedback as to what areas I need to improve in!
I agree with you as well - when I took online courses, I always felt as if the feedback meant more when the instructor used my name in the comment. Even more, if the student has a nickname or preferred name, and we remember that name in our correspondence with the student, that also sends a message that we have made this a priority!
Thanks, Jacki.
How do you transfer this perspective into online courses when there is no "face-to-face" interaction?
The students are in charge of their bulletin board for the respected program. they can post pictures, community events, and other resources for each other
I agree. Callinjg the students by there name let's them know that you care about them. I know that the worse thing for me to do is forget a student's name.
I think it is important to call each student by his or her name. Whether you see that person in a physical classroom or virtually, it is imperative that the student feels they are not just a number. I compare this to my physician's office. It has grown so large with so many employees that no one really knows the patient. When I go there, it feels like I'm entering a factory; I become a number. I never want the student to feel that way. Their presence is vital and each faculty member strives to make them feel important. This carries through to graduation and sometimes beyond.
