I would disagree. First of all, a teacher should never give up trying to reach out to a student; if the student is non-responsive, perhaps the instructor should try to reach the student on a more personal level. Also, students usually have advisors. An instructor that is not getting a response from a student, perhaps they can reach out to the advisor to try reaching the student as well.
I agree and disagree with this statement. I think there comes a certain point where the instructor has done all that they can to reach out and there is nothing else they can do. If they only send one message to the student asking for a repsonse I do not think that this is adequate enough. The instructor can find a way to contact the students advisor which can help them get in touch with the students. I think it is the student's responsibilty to stay in class and do their work, not the instructor.
I would have to say that I disagree with this assessment. It might feel like this at times. However, as an instructor it is my job to explore all avenues towards reaching out to the student. Does the student have a better relationship with their advisor? If so, I will reach out to that person and see if I can get assistance in reaching the student. Sometimes another voice helps to get through to a student who might be disengaged.
Herbert/Peers,
I see a difference between offering ideas and motivational comments to offers of help and assistance.
I can continue to respond to the best of my ability to assist the student satisfactorily complete the course while maintaining the integrity of the program.
I can continue to offer assistance and even direct them to institutional labs, the library, and other sources, but I agree beyond these there is little one can do if the assistance is rejected.
I agree. I have offered phone class, video chat, etc to struggling students who simply ignore or reject the offer. At the end of the day, they will need to react to your offer that is on the table to help them. It is very hard to force them to decide, even after all the encouragement to get help.
Simon,
If you have used all your possible options to reach them and they choose not to be reached, then you have probably done what you can. It is important for the administrative personnel to try to follow up with them later though to see why your drop outs are leaving. Most of the time it is family or related issues you cannot control.
Herbert Brown III
Greetings:
I believe there is a lot you can do. I never give up for one. I continue to email them and provide feedback. I also will upload examples and additional resources that will assist them. I also make sure I let there student advisor know what is going on so that they can contact the student as well. I send updates to the students to let them know where they are and that they have missing assignments or need to revise something. I believe that it is my job to keep trying until the class is over. If the student never responds that is up to them but that doesn't mean I won't continue to try to engage them and make sure they have the resources they need to succeed.
Rachelle
Greetings:
I agree, I contact their advisor as well as send an early alert. I do whatever I can to make sure they get the support they need.
I also keep emailing them the notice that they are late with an assignment and the late policy. I have had students contact me several weeks after I have been trying to contact them letting me know they were on a military training, in the hospital or some other type of emergency. They always express that they appreciated me staying in contact even if they couldn't respond.
Rachelle
I usually will followup with a personal call to the student. Often shy, reserved students are hesitant to contact you even when you offer help via email.
Rachelle,
I appreciate that you don't give up on them. It is so important for us to show our students we are concerned for them as individuals and want them to succeed.
Herbert Brown III
There are mechanisms to reach out to the student after your attempts have failed. Communicate with the student's advisor. But, I agree, -- after trying to help -- a student must be willing to accept the help.
Question -- in a class of 35 or more -- what is a good retention percentage?
Jack,
I there a point at which you cut the strings and determine that there is no help? I understand that students pay for the courses -- but some course come with anxieties. Some students begin the course expecting to fail.
How do we change this mindset?
Nashid,
A good retention percentage for any course is 100%. Reality is it will be something lower than that. However, if we strive to stay connected with our students and do everything in our power to help them along the way, then it seems you have done what you can.
Herbert Brown III
Nashid,
Communication, Communication, and more communication. Stay connected with your students early and often to try to alleviate their anxiety. If you know it is an anxious course, have extra help sessions, and ask the students what would make them less anxious. The main way to change their mindset is to convince them they can succeed and you are there to HELP them not fail them. Reassure them that you are there to help them through the process. Reach out to them personally when they are struggling...communication...
Herbert Brown III
Nashid,
Communication, Communication, and more communication. Stay connected with your students early and often to try to alleviate their anxiety. If you know it is an anxious course, have extra help sessions, and ask the students what would make them less anxious. The main way to change their mindset is to convince them they can succeed and you are there to HELP them not fail them. Reassure them that you are there to help them through the process. Reach out to them personally when they are struggling...communication...
Herbert Brown III
I agree that communication is the key, but even the best of teachers are going to lose students. A lot depends upon why they are taking the class in the first place.
Jeanice,
Agreed. If you communicate with your students well and take every opportunity to connect with your students you can still lose some of them over time. I also believe it is vital for someone to follow up with them to find out why they dropped to ensure it is just a personal issue or related and not something the school has control over to adjust and retain.
Herbert Brown III
Jeanice,
Agreed. If you communicate with your students well and take every opportunity to connect with your students you can still lose some of them over time. I also believe it is vital for someone to follow up with them to find out why they dropped to ensure it is just a personal issue or related and not something the school has control over to adjust and retain.
Herbert Brown III
I humbly disagree with this statement.
If I offer help and the student does not reach out, I need to consider how I contacted them.
Was it welcoming? Was there genuine concern?
We should never feel like there is little more we can do. We can always do more.
Dr. Albert
I second that Herbert. Although sometimes I am still unsuccessful, especially in those short 5 week long courses.
