Research Planning
We're brainstorming research areas for the coming year. Any input on topics and data most useful for the sector?
Jean I had retention opportunities with students in their 1st and 2nd module. I organized sounding board meetings once a week for these two modules. This has had a positive impact on student retention. I worked with the instructors to teach them about retention and have held regular training classes. Today almost a year later we don’t see as many drops in the 1st or 2nd module(90% Improvement). Identifying the high risk students early on can give us an opportunity to coach them.
Hello Dr. Childers. Your approach sounds very interesting. We'd love to learn more about it.
Dr. Norris every Tuesday and Wednesday we have a sounding board meeting one for first module students and one for second module students. The sounding board leader is like a conduit in that it absorbs any concerns or questions students might have. The sounding board leader must not seek this information because it might be skewed. If a student has concerns they will share with the sounding board leader without soliciting it. This information is shared with me. I don’t want to know the student’s name. I just want to identify the problem and fix it. I will share with the sounding board leader that it has been fixed. I have been able to act on many opportunities with successful outcomes. We always provide pizza, chicken or Chinese food for the meetings which helps getting students to show.
Dr. Childers, it seems you have had great success with this. Many times students are reluctant to speak up in these types of meetings. How does your leader get them talking? Is there an agenda for these meetings? How long are the meetings?
Mr. Frame these are very good questions and I am glad your asking. You Stated: “Many times students are reluctant to speak up in these types of meetings.”
How does your leader get them talking?
The sounding board leader role is to be conduit. They should never solicit for negative information. If a student is unhappy they will let you know if you give them the opportunity. I also know students don’t want to get their instructor in trouble. That’s why instructors and directors are not allowed during the meeting. The sounding board leader sets around and visits with the students.
Is there an agenda for these meetings? How long are the meetings?
No agenda other than date time place and lunch menu. The students will talk about bowling night or other activities they like to do. I know if a student is not happy about a class we got to find out why? The meetings last about twenty minutes.
