Retention and the 3 M's
In my experience, modeling, mentoring, and monitoring are very important in keeping the interest of my students, and thus, their retention in my classes.
One thing I'd like to point out is that through using the 3 M's, we are not only attempting to retain our students, but also developing genuine and caring relationships. During my schooling experiences, I noticed that the best teachers were those who showed interest in their students and their students' goals. By using the 3 M's we are actually able to do this and to show our genuine interest in the learning and development of our students.
I agree, It is important that we show interest in our student, knowing a little bit about their personal life is important, not getting to personal, ask if they have children, they like to show pictures and sometime share stories.Being a model for them, and mentoring them is important. I have experience that with my student, I know they have a high respect for me and they like to come to me and talk to me when they as having problem, they know ai care.
I agree with not getting to personal. We are not their best friend. We are their professors.
However, letting them know we are here for them and want them to succeed goes along way.
Bonnie,
Knowing them personally and getting personal are not the same thing. Neither are being a friend and being friendly. We need to be friendly and to get to know our students personally to achieve the levels of success we need.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I certainly agree with the 3M's! I exercise the 3 especially the mentoring and monitoring. I strongly believe that consistently exercising the 3M's help students retain information and how to critically think. I teach Basic College Math and Dosage Calculations. When I sense that a student is not understanding a certain topic,I walk them through a formula a couple of times then have them walk me through. I do not move on to the next student until I can see that they have a comfortable understanding of the topic. It also portrays that the instructor cares.
Thank you for this post, Shalomar. The attention you pay to your struggling students will result in retention of students in the school and of subject matter in your students.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree, that there is a direct relationship between retention and the 3 M's. Students thrive on positive respectful attention that improves their skills and moves them to the next level. The 3 M's foster success and pride in student work and prepares the student for the workplace.
