Audrey,
That devotion on a deeper level helps the student to see the prize at the end of the program.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Recognizing student achievement throughout the term helps with encouraging student success. We also have the students involved with community events that pertain to their field. This gives the student a sense of what it will be like when they have completed the program. When students give their time to activities related to their field they become devoted on a deeper level.
Mary,
These are all good efforts to help in retention and in aiding student learning.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Suzanne,
This might be a truism for team sports or another competitive arena. However, we need to understand the "less motivated" student and what is behind that lack of motivation. Many of those students need help in learning how to be a successful student. Yet, we need to recognizes the top performers as well. A challenge for sure.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our school has clubs for students to join and network, provide outside events to meet people in the industry, meet with new students each term, radomly visit their class at the top of the hour or just befor it ends to see how they are doing.
This is absolutely true. Most of our focus is on the "less motivated" students. We need to be proactive instead of reactive. If we nip this in the bud from the beginning and reward students that truly deserve to be rewarded (i.e., best attendance, most improved, most effort, best attitude, etc), the student's that aren't being recognized might try a little harder.
Jacqueline,
I agree. You do need activities and strategies for dealing with the entire spectrum of students.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We have recognition ceremonies for Dean's List and President's List, and graduating students with highest GPA, most involvement, athletics, etc. I find that shifting the focus to reqarding students for success, rather than just focusing on at-risk students bring the level af achievement up for all students. Orientations, graduation, and social events on campus really get students excited and bring them together. Participation by faculty and staff shows them that we support them as well.
Susan,
What "community" features are available within the online learning platform? There may be some tools available to enhance the activities described in your post.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Lise,
All positive activities and ideas. Thank you for your post.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Coming from a small liberal arts distance university it takes creative thinking to develop activities for adult, working students to create a community. We have instituted quarterly telephone discussions over various selections of literature to provide a way for the entire school to get together in an informal environment and interact with other students and tutors. Additionally, students are invited to participate in weekend Great Books events which are often attended by tutors and staff from the university. We have also started a blog where students can read and participate not only with each other, but also with the public who also leave comments and feedback.
We have Awards Day every quarter to present the students with their Academic achievement awards. We also have club days that we get the students invoved in. At graduation we take pictures, give out flowers, pins, cords, invove the families and relatives of the students. I like the idea of posting it in the paper. Or even on Facebook!
Francis,
Are these all in place at your school?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Orientation, Student Support Sessions, Mentoring, Professional development for faculty on engagement strategies, Recognition of achievement certificates and early intervention and tracking of students.
Jamie,
Hopefully the events are well attended. This does help the students see the school more as a community.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
At our school, we have social events each semester that involves the students. They include events to celebrate holidays. We have food and music and always have a good turn out. We also have an awards ceremony each years giving out awards acknowledging student's achievements.
Cheryl,
What activities went into spirit week?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We just had a student spirit week which went well. We also have quarterly student appreciation days to help students have fun and stay engaged
Suzanne,
Yes, all these activities help.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
After a long break or holiday weekend, our school usually has a raffle with great prizes for those students present the first day back. This goes over very well. We also have student appreciation monthly with a variety of foods served. At the holiday time the staff and faculty will bake cookies for the students which they really appreciate.
