So what you are saying is that there are many levels to connect to the student. Having a safe and friendly environment is important but, what are they really there for, to become proficient in their fields. Everyone must contribute to the success of the student and nurture them through the obstacles they will face. Many times students lose focus of their goals and it is up the the members of that institution to keep them aware of why they are there. Instructors, staff, student organizations, and the physical environment all play a role into keeping the student interested and excited in completing their goal.
Many times in class, I remind the students why they are taking math. Not to just learn the problem itself, but the logic of setting up tasks and solving in them in an orderly fashion. Then we discuss how this applies to their area of training such as CJ, and CJ's orderly tasks in a case or client.
Thomas--
Exactly! Everything and every interaction plays a role in retention. We often take the day-to-day things for granted, but our students need our constant encouragement, support and challenge to succeed.
Susan
Richard--
As a recovering math-phobic, I appreciate your explanation of how this helps in others ways. Too late, we realize how thinking in this manner helps us in many other areas.
Susan
I agree the non-verbal ques are very important. Reading your student's needs as an instructor gives you the ability to connect with them.
I agree. It is important that the instructor creates a comfortable classroom for the students.
I also think a sense of excitment by the instructor about the course is addictive to the students.
Each student has to feel like they belong in the class. You have to get them to relax and enjoy the learning experience in the class. The instructor must be able to break the lecture down so everybody can understand what is being taught. Each student must be able to apply what is in the lecture to a real world application.
James--
I heard once that the most effective teachers pressent material in several different ways to accommodate different learning styles. It sounds like you make every effort to ensure your students understand the material in a way that allows them to utilize the information. Making it ia relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere supports that. Do you use any specific tactics to help make that happen?
Susan
This is so true. I find that a lot of my students do not realize what will be expected of them out in the field. So I explain that the material they are learning in class is very important for their success.
Philippe--
Great! Making that connection from the classroom to the 'real-world' is important for students to understand. It helps to build some motivation to master the material.
Susan
I feel it is important to take time on the first day of class to go around the room and ask each student to tell you and the rest of the class a little something about themselves to help dreak the ice.Hobbies,common intrests,or what brought them to you're institution.
I believe constant interactions with the students as the instructor and engaging them with one another decreases this sense of not belonging to some degree. I also will talk to the student individually if I feel there is an issue of them "not belonging".
It sounds like you make every effort to ensure your students understand the material in a way that allows them to utilize the information. Making it ia relaxing and enjoyable
im a firm believer that while we talk about all the things that factor into the BIG "R" (retention) the single most important thing ive identified on campus that makes or a breaks a students experience and impacts their motivation to continue are the personal relationships they develop with every single person in the building from admissions rep to career counselors when they finish.
leigh ,
I completely agree. Getting students connected with the institution by means of a relationship with anyone (custodian, staff, faculty, etc.) is one of the single most effective retention tools.
Susan Backofen
