Get Your Students Hired
First, let me preface this question by stating that I work as an academic advisor. Tracking all of the interactions I have with students, I have been disturbed to find that the ones I deal with are primarily either in the academic erosion or stagnation phases.
This concerns me....I think it is so important that we also stay in close contact with the students who don't show up on our radars as being at-risk because this will definitely help to prevent future problems and build relationships with them; however, I find that the majority of my time and energy is spent on the students exhibiting problems.
Does anyone have some ideas for how I can stay in contact with those students who are doing well, too?
Thanks!
Teri
Picking the right person to serve as Coach is critical. Likewise, developing a delivery system that students will use and feel comfortable with is important. Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of help, Cynthia.
This form of communication can be very effective for schools willing to make the commitment. Every college in the country tells prospective students that they have a caring, supportive environment. The reality is that they all execute differently. Providing this type of connection with your students can separate you from your competitors.
I really like this idea! We have a forum, to which students are required to post several times a semester. However, these postings are directly related to coursework and are not necessarily confidential. I'm going to suggest that we begin to utilize something like Coach to provide a venue for confidential, virtual contact for students. I believe this may go a long way in making them feel more comfortable asking questions or discussing issues, rather than feeling "on the spot" with a faculty or staff member.
Yes, this is something that I am doing and have done for sometime. I have taught in business schools for 17 years and in public schools for 25 years. I try new things, if they work I repeat them, if not, I throw them out. This works for me, maybe not for you.
This procedure has been more difficult to administer as the rules for teaching have become more restrictive and everyone is told to be on the same page. Teaching is suppose to be a profession. What works for one teacher does not necessarily work for another. Some day this might be realized. Tell a doctor how to operate. If they all had to operate the same way there would be no advancement in the medical profession. Maybe some day teaching will truly become a profession.
Is this something you are currently doing, John? If so, what are your results? If not, will you implement this practice soon?
Yes, I tell students to help each other if they have completed the step(s) that a fellow student needs help with, but not to do the work for the student needing help. Both students seem to gain from the experience. This is usually done when I am involved with helping another student.
I would ask the students who are doing well to be involved in a mentoring program. It will promote them to report to you their findings and progress with other students and allow you the time to interact with them.
Are you involved with these evaluation meetings, Kathryn? What sort of issues are addressed? How do the students feel about the process? Do they respond favorably or do they feel that this an intrusion?
I agree. We have 'Evaluation' meeting that are set up by the instructors with the students. the next appointment is made at the end of these brief meetings. the time between meetings is determined by the instuctor and the student together.
By Partnering with the student, we solve some problems before they get too far.
Virtually everyone responds favorably when another person shows concern for their well being. How often do you try to meet with students? Is it a formal process for every student?
I also find talking with students and asking them how everything is going and if they have any concern about anything really helps open them up. Even the ones that don't know me directly.
Currently the program is set up for instructors only. That is a possibility I look forward to exploring.
Thanks!
Sounds like a great program, Mandy. Sounds like something graduating students will be able to put on their resume. Can students nominate peers?
Teri,
I too am an Academic Advisor. I was getting very weighed down with only working with students that were having concerns or were not attending.
I have started a program called Spotlight. This program "spotlights" 2-3 students per month for going above and beyond in class, attendance, internships, etc.
We are a small school and this allows me to sneak in on weekly instructor meetings and get nominations from instructors for these students. Nominations come in and a week later we vote and then get comments from staff and instructors to put up. I get a photo and some student work from the student's nominated and have gone around to area businesses and received donations and discounted "prizes" for their honors.
It has been great for me to touch base with the high achiever's as well as the students "on my list".
Good approach, Mildred. It's human nature to open up more to people who invite communication by their actions than to others who don't show any interest in connecting.
I alway try to greet every student that I come in contact with some sort of a greeting, I feel if we lead by example it can only manifest in a positive attitude change
I FIND BY JUST SAYING GOOD MORNING GOOD AFTERNOON GOOD EVENING TO ANY AND ALL STUDENTS I PASS OR THEY PASS BY MY OFFICE. I USUALLY HAVE MY OFFICE DOOR OPEN, SO ALOT OF TIMES STUDENTS WILL JUST STOP AND SAY HELLO. I VISIT THE CLASSROOMS JUST TO SAY HELLO. I MAKE A POINT TO LET ALL THE STUDENTS KNOW MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN AND THEY CAN STOP BY ANYTIME. IF I AM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THEY WILL KNOCK IF THEY NEED TO SEE ME. SOMETIMES YOU MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE WITH THE STUDENTS BEFORE THEY WILL OPEN UP TO YOU. YOU CAN'T PLEASE ALL, BUT MY METHOD SEEMS TO WORK FOR MOST OF THEM.
Every contact is important, Debbie. Students like to know that people notice their successes. Contacts from their department head might be another effective way to acknowledge success.
My Advisors shared the same frustration with me - so we just started a couple of new things: the Advisors now sent out congratulatory letters for students that receive and A or B in course (this is shortly after the grades are posted - we do this via an email merge); we are also posting the names of students who have reached milestones in their program (25/50 & 75% complete) on our student web site (we were already listing the names of grads & near grad students); the advisors are also trying to periodically send out some general information regarding something about the curriculum or industry along with a reminder of their office hours.