Classroom instruction and retention
I think what happens in the classroom is the biggest factor in retention. If students can't find meaning in what they are being taught they will leave. What classroom techniques have you used to keep the material fresh and meaningful to the students?
The maxim at our campus is that the time in the classroom MUST be more valuable than any other option that might grab the student's attention that day. You MUST be more compelling than Oprah, Dr. Oz or a myriad of other real or potential distractions. It is a daunting challenge, but it is doable. You MUST make them quite reluctant to miss class!
I agree Cindy! I also try to incorporate articles into my courses that I know would interest the students. For my business students, I have found Fast Company to be one of the greatest sources.
Thank,
I will email to you
Hi Joyce,
I like your approach to being sensitive to the needs of your students. I like you, like to take a break from the stresses of instruction and have a diversion that allows students to have some fun, develop rapport with faculty and get ready to finish the course. I have found that this is not wasted time, in reality helps the students refocus, thus making their learning even more targeted.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
Sometimes the stress becomes too high in our classes and life so to let off a little steam, I bought water guns, tops and paper airplanes from a party store. We served snacks. We had a large tub of water to refill the water guns. I was glad I bought the small water guns. These adults from 19 to 55 went up and down the halls shooting their water guns at students and instructors alike. One instructor thought it was childish, but most everyone else had a good time and laughed and relieved some tension.
Hi Suzanne,
Great explanation. Your input is very helpful.
Gary
Thank you Gary. This started as one of the Icebreaker and Energiser Activities we used in our conflict resolution module. After seeing how well it worked there, we thought it would be good to implement everywhere. Our inner voice chatters away at us and it strongly affects our behavior in a situation.
It is important that instructors recognize that mindchatter does happen to students and to ourselves. It may be something that happened today, something imminent, something we must remember to do, or other important personal matters, our mind tends to chatter about this and distract us.
For anyone using it in their classes, certain ground rules have to be set of course, or it just becomes a complaint session. We want students to learn how to look for solutions not problems, so students briefly explain what is bothering them or what is on their mind. Either by talking about it, they automatically feel better or someone else will have a solution for them. However, once talked about, it is done, and the student should be more relaxed and ready to start the class.
Hope that helps.
Hi Suzanne,
I really like both of your approaches. Students really like hearing from those that have gone on before them. This helps them get a glimpse of the "real world" that is awaiting them out there.
By doing the 20 min check-in you are dealing with personal student situations but keeping control. Your students should be happy with this approach. Do you have any recommendations for an instructor that might be thinking of using this approach? Things to do and not to do to make it successful.
Gary
In all of our programs, students who go for their practicum, return at the end to "pass the torch" so to speak to those new students. They are able to talk about how the program worked for them, how well they did on their practicum and most times than not, help to celebrate their employment with others. It is a great way to motivate the students and helps them to keep their eye on the goal.
We also do morning check-ins. The first 20 min of each day is discussing anything that is bothering them from outside sources (family, kids, car, etc), then it is "thrown into the garbage" and the focus is then on the class for the day. We have found that by doing this, students not only form a good bond with each other and the instructor, but gain further knowledge of handling things.
Hi Luther,
What are some examples of the things that you use with your students?
Gary
I use things people deal with every day in life to reach each person on their level.
Hello everyone,
I find that I have no trouble getting student to stay in my class, so long as I have them engaged in meaningfull work that relates directly to what they will be doing in the workplace. In fact they get real charged about it. I, on the other hand have had to deal with the given situtations, far to many times, and having to reapeat in in class, is not helping me, be more enthusiastic about it, and I think it's showing. HELP!
Andrés
Hi Robin,
External factors contribute greatly in terms of student retention. I work very hard with instructors throughout the United States on how to understand the impact these factors have and what instructors can do to help overcome them. We can't always do it, but we can sure try to be of support and help.
Gary
I tend to disagree. The environment and external influences also contribute to the students' decision to stay in class or to drop out. For instance, since my classes are night class, and the students have a full time job, they occasionally missed school due to work requirements. Once they failed behind, they became obligated to go to class. The same thing is true for student whom showed up in class but did not comprehend the material (lack of understanding of the materials or not adequately reading the material).
I TRULLY BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE, IN MY EXPERIENCE AS AN INSTRUCTOR FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS BEING ABLE TO RELATE WHAT WE DO IN CLASS TO THE REAL WORLD IS SO IMPORTANT.
I TEACH AUDIO ENGINEERING AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE THE LEARNERS REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES WHICH I HAVE CAME ACROSS MAKES THEM FEEL AS THOUGH I REALLY CARE ABOUT THEM.
I TRY TO CONSTANTLY INTRODUCE NEW MATERIAL AND NEW TECHNOLOGY INTO THE CLASS SO THAT THE STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TO MY CLASSES.
Hi Sally,
As I have mentioned before the Jeopardy game has been great for my classes. The students help me to create additional questions so my question pool keep growing each time I teach a class.
Gary
I like the idea of creating a Jeopardy or Family Feud style game. I plan to use that idea in planning a new orientation course at our school. It has been my experience that inside every adult is a child that loves to play games.
Incorporating current events, using different forms of media, relating personal experiences where possible, and utilizing former students as guest speakers are some of the ways I've used to keep material fresh and meaningful.
I will be emailing you for some of the content I can use to leep my students motivated and retained. Thanks for the offer of help.
