Student retention (as far as instructors are concerned) is centered around one question:
Are your students learning the material?
One of the most difficult concepts for an instructor to come to grips with is that WE work for the STUDENTS...essentially, the students have hired us to steward them through this material...if that isn't happening, then you are not effective at what you do. The instructor's job is to figure out how to improve that relationship in any way possible.
It is not the mark of a successful instructor that they are considered "hard" or "demanding" because the majority of their students fail to pass their course...that is actually the sign of a failed educator. The sign of a successful educator is that the majority of their students both COMPREHEND THE MATERIAL & PASS THE COURSE..
I have always held to this standard, but I am surprised by the number of instructors who brag about how many students they have failed....it confounds me on a daily basis.
I welcome all comments!
Thanks!
