General Strategies for Student Retention | Origin: ED102
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Student Retention Methods --> General Strategies for Student Retention
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Slow down and build rapport.
As instructors, have the passion and excitement when conveying information. Truly care about the students. Start the day with a motivational video or icebreaker. Create a psychologically safe learning environment.
My takeaway from this module is the importance of providing positive, encouraging feedback on student assignments. I will be intentional about offering constructive feedback that supports student growth and learning.
Remember that the students are adults and handle them like you would handle adults. Keeping adult learners engaged by noticing what they have accomplished well and give them praise for that but also challenge them to do the not so easy task that they may not like. Reward them when the except the challenge encourage them that they are doers and achievers .
Creating moments in the learning process to find a connection with students and to make learning fun.
The importance to make even the "boring" or not so exciting topics, be engaging to keep the students attentive and engaged. Making sure that when you are lecturing on a topic that you are confident and enthused during that lecture to maintain engagement. encouraging the students to partake in the lectures, can help improve understanding and maintain retention as they feel the importance of their presence.
Comment on Harold Hegge's post: I 100% agree with you, I have faced this challenge many times. especially when having to teach a very structured course outline. It gets very redundant, can resight the entire lesson plan verbatim to the point I sound like a broken record. What I have done in the past, is to bring relative world events to the class and get the class taking. From this I am able to pick up different ways to paraphrase my thoughts from something a student may have taught me. I am very big on class engagement, I can learn just as much from them as they can from me.
One of the hardest things for me in previous classes is coming up with new activities to keep the class interesting. A few minutes of distraction can be pivotal in keeping students alert and interested. Depending on the activity, it can even bring a class together and help them develop comraderie.
I have learned that being in instructor isn't about boring lecture and mundane studies. I can/will implement fun activities that will make the learning material more interesting and relatable to be retained.
The human factor is the foundation in which instructors build their reputation as dedicated instructors.
In this section I learned that it is important to memorize each student's name as it personalized their experience and to greet each student as they come into class because it breeds opportunity for rapport.
Clear communication, consistent expectations, and timely feedback help students stay on track.
In this chapter, I learned that building rapport and creating an enjoyable classroom environment can improve student attitude, strengthen engagement, and reduce the pressure students may feel during class. I also learned the importance of being flexible and open to planning meaningful make-up days or special activities that motivate students, while remaining receptive to the types of celebrations or events that are most meaningful to them.
The instructor's enthusiasm to share the knowledge is important part of teaching process. An instructor should be able to identify each students needs and capability .
I learned that the social environment that I create for the class creates a more meaningful experience for the students.
Implementation: I will do my best to learn tips and tricks to remembering students' names and important facts about them, I will greet them all, provide meaningful feedback on their work, give praise and encouragement, etc.
Set the stage. Everything from the classroom itself to the students' individual styles, to me as the facilitator of learning matters.
Be positive and enthusiastic about what you teach, get to know the students, students need our support. The human factor is a big key in retaining students. Dont dictate your classroom. "ask dont tell"
Goal setting from the beginning is very important.
I genuinely like to keep my students engaged with little jokes and funny ways of remembering different rules. I feel like having good energy and genuine excitement for the material and them as well.
The students will be a reflection of you. If you come to class ready, prepared, and excited to teach, they will come to class excited, prepared and ready to learn.
