John Bart

FERPA takes effect the first day of class. Students can not remain anonymous in discussion forums. 

FERPA is meant to protect a student's records. What information may be released is regulated. 

Student records may not be available to all school personnel. Rules may vary by institution. 

Instructors must be well-organized and prepared to deliver. They also need to explain why the subject matter is important. 

Advising students is two-fold. Provide the students with some direction. Allow the student to make their own decision. The advisor must be knowledgeable of the polices and procedures, but must also be an excellent listener. 

True listening requires practice. Acknowledge students with questions so you understand what they are saying. Let the student speak 80% of the time. 

Students are customers, but not in the same sense as business customers. Instructors must be attentive to students' concerns, but always remember the task at hand: education. 

Being aware of the factors that impact adult learners is very helpful for retention. The reasons why they enroll and drop out are different than the traditional student. Addressing these in the classroom and the institution will help with retention. 

Portfolios and Skill Badges set students apart from other potential new hires. They show the student what they have accomplished and created value for themselves. What students post on the internet is important to potential employers. 

Asking for student support with technology is a great tool to develop an openness and rapport with the students.