I send out weekly 'friendly reminders' to them listing their outstanting assignments with an offer to help them with them.

Cheers, Dennis

I send an email weekly letting them know their status, percentages, etc.  I also remind them I'm their to support and help them in any way I can. 

I have found it very effective to talk with them on a more profitional levle as almost peers, to express to them an that their education effects them more then anyone else. no matter how difficult it may be it wont be forever. 

I do try to involve student advisors who tend to provide more persuasive arguments for attending and keeping up with assignments.

I set up a professional Facebook account and I keep up with many of my students in this manner.  They may not answer their telephones but they will check Facebook at least once a day.

I love the comments. Most helpful.

I try to contact them by email and sometimes will call the student if the student has disappeared from the class.

The students also appreciate it when the instructor takes an interest in the students progress.

Send them a note of encouragement and remind them of the reason(s) they enriolled in the course, e.g. professional advancement, certification, self-improvement, etc.