Three Steps
Identify 3 specific steps you will take within the next 30 days to improve retention at your institution.
Step 1: Contact each learner in one’s classroom in at least three different ways each week. This might include an email, an Announcement, and a response to a discussion posting. Other options include assignment feedback or emailing an Adviser if a student has stopped participating and responding. The key here is to either know that all students are participating, or to alert the student’s Adviser that the student may need special attention.
Step 2: At the start of each term, send out a welcome email that answer common questions, offers clarity about the class expectations, and encourages questions and comfort. Make sure to receive a response from each learner.
Step 3: During the first week of class, personally email any leaner that is not active. If that learner cannot be contacted, alert the Adviser to pursue the student further.
These are fantastic ideas. I especially like #2. Sometimes the students just hear so much information that they cannot keep track of it all. If it is written, they can go back and review what was said. Also, asking for the response will confirm that they received the information.
