Proven Tips To Improve Student Retention

By Saeed Ashrafinia

This category contains elements directly related to the affective domain of student growth brought about by Instructor/Student interaction. Psych, ego, individual worth are all intricately bound within this framework.

1. Learn the name of each student as quickly as possible and use the student's name in class. Based upon the atmosphere you want to create:

   1. Call on students by their first names.

   2. Call on students by using Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.

2. Tell the students by what name and title you prefer to be called (Sensei, Master, Miss, etc.).

3. At the end of each class period, ask one student to stay for a minute to chat (compliment on a technique: tell student you missed him/her if absent, etc.).

4. After completing belt testing, ask students to stop by your office to pick up the specific results. This presents an opportunity to talk informally with students.

5. Call students on the telephone if they are absent. Make an appointment with them to discuss attendance, make-up work, etc.

6. Get feedback periodically from students (perhaps a select few) on their perceptions of your attitudes toward them, your personal involvement, etc.

7. Socialize with students as your "style" permits by attending their clubs or social activities, meeting their family, by walking them back to the car, etc.

8. Conduct a personal interview with all students sometime during the year.

9. Provide positive reinforcement whenever possible; give students a respectful answer to any question they might ask.

10. Listen intently to students' comments and opinions. By using a "lateral thinking technique" (adding to ideas rather than dismissing them), students feel that their ideas, comments, and opinions are worthwhile.

11. Be aware of the difference between students' classroom mistakes and their personal successes/failures.

12. Be honest about your feelings, opinions, and attitudes toward students and toward the subject matter. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know all the answers. If a student tells you something in confidence, respect that confidence. Avoid making value judgments (verbally or non-verbally) about these confidences.

13. Lend some of your books, magazines or videos (reference) to students and borrow some of theirs in return. You can initiate the process by saying, "I have last tournaments fight videos, would anyone like to borrow it?"

14. Give your students a contact (e-mail) that they can always use to get a hold of you if they need.

15. At stretching, pair up the students and have them get acquainted with one another. Switch partners every class.

16. Have the students establish a "buddy" system for absences, work missed, assignments, tutoring, etc. Exchange telephone numbers, etc.