A strong working alliance with the online student will greatly affect the retention of individual online students.
Developing a strong Working alliance with the individual online student involves early. frequent, and consistent interactions with students.
This includes making yourself available to students with contact information and hours of availablity, communication with the student at prescribed regular periods during the semester, and responding to students questions and comments in a timely manner
This is all about relationships. Good ones do good in the long run.
I've used the Client/Supplier model most of my teaching career, and believe in it. Trouble happens when a student can't play the role of client, or doesn't know how to. The "fear of the grade" changes the dynamic to see the teacher as a boss.
But I think for attitude, it is best to see my role as The Supplier. Winning over the client. Speaking truth to the client via the "play money" of a grade.
Seth Soronnadi
Learned that "strong working alliances and communication are linked to retention"
Sometimes students do not know where to go for help on campus, or that there is such a thing. Students go from 12th grade- told how to do so much , where to go that I believe they can not critically think for themselves and when help is offered, they may not even know what to do with it.
I learned that the three retention factors are, individual, external and institutional factors.
I can see that Building strong working alliances and creating a positive campus climate will help in student retention.
Relationship based learning applies to online multimedia as well
Building strong working alliances and creating a positive campus climate will help in student retention.
i learned that retention is established through good relationships between the student and faculty.
The transition from the classroom to Teams online learning has been interesting yet challenging. One-on-one interaction is important in the classroom but critical with online learning. It is too easy to let some students fall through the cracks. I have found the students are much more likely to stay engaged when I contact them individually about every two weeks. A little time consuming with 24 students but well worth it.
For me, I have always learned better when the instructor enagaed and took the individual time to see how I was doing and helping me in the areas I was struglling with. As an instructor, the area I have struggled with the most is helping to motivate those that don't want to put the time in.
Motivating online students is very hard. We have so many obstacles before us. Time management, family, work, school and dont forget the most important, a social life. The postitive, motivated and informative instructor has a better chance of retaining the audience or client.
I have taught online for about 10 years now, however our courses are blended so having them in class greatly improves the communication challenges of online. Building that relationship is so important to the student's success. Now working with zoom where you can see the students is a huge tool in the success of online.
Student retention is extremely important in my opinion. Without the students there would not be instructors. Thus, creating a meaningful professional relationship with the student is imperative, and will ensure that students will feel supported if needed. If you can recall your own school experiences as a student and can associate how faculty and administrators treated you, what were you best interactions?
I beleive we must convince the student that we (as an institution and personnally as their instructor) care. Therefore, making a connection with them on some level seems key whether on line or not.
Being able to effectively communicate and engage with students is adificutl task at times. Adding the impersonal touch of online learning will definatly take new skills and techniques to help motivate and communicate with students.
The diversity that we are challenged with can be quite complex at times . In three weeks we have very little time to figure out every student and there backrounds, however I strive to get a grasp of them in only a couple days and generally it seems to breakdown into different catergories. We have some students who have had previous learning and or upbrining values that are makiing the course easier to adapt to and some may be the total opposite and some in the middle of the road. I the first few days I try to understand where everybody is and focus more time with the students who may need more time then others but also make all the students feel equally welcome and let them know that we are always here to help.
The current group of students is just like customer service in the work enviroment. You tell them what you will do and when you will do it and than you actually do it. Telling a student how it benefits them is crucial!!!
Many of today's young students have not had the personal relationship that most previous generations took for granted in the home or even in many cases at their schools. Most having been brought up in homes where both parents have to work outside the home or single parent situations that required most of their time was spent at child care facilities or home alone, they didn't get the personal attention and guidance that would be provided by a parent or family member. I feel that, because of that, it becomes more difficult for many of them to trust and connect with other people particularly those in a position of authority who is trying to convince them to take a different path than the one they have developed on their own. It takes time and effort to prove you are sincere and truly want the best for them. Sadly for some we just don't have enough time as it is more difficult to reach some than others. Show empathy not sympathy and show the big picture while laying out the details and the next small step towards a goal that is reachable. The important thing is, they have to know you are truly on their side.
Hands on in the public sector has been basically removed from their curriculum. Therefore most have no self confidence in their abilities or potential abilities. So so many are lacking BASIC mechanical skills and aptidude for doing essentially anything for themselves. Sadly MANY ride the coat tails of others work and still get full credit for the assignment without any effort on their part. The public system has failed them by not preparing them for life. Leaving many/most/some with the mindset they will have it given to them without having to put forth any effort. In turn, puts us in the situation of not only having to catch them up on basics but also instill or reassure their self confidence and motivation levels to get them to a point where they're actually equipped and prepared to succeed not only in their given field of choice, but in life in general.
