Author: Stefanie Lassitter, Teaching and Learning Consultant, CETL
Retention and persistence are at the forefront of higher education, and CMU is not exempt to declines in enrollment. Educators and administrators continually look to the literature on retaining enrolled students without sacrificing high standards. The following best practices are manageable, low-stakes with high impact.
Variation of Modalities
Beyond lecture, Blackboard can be more than a repository of information but an experience for modern learners. In essence, Blackboard serves as a place to “extend the learning time together.” Classroom content can come alive with YouTube videos, images, etc. Class lectures can be changed up with classroom demonstrations, peer teaching opportunities, including activities that utilize the internet and social media.
Provide Choices
Today’s learners value choices, including choices about their learning. Weimer (2017) noted that giving students options encourages motivation and ownership. Choices can be low-risk, such as choosing between writing a paper versus a PowerPoint, paper topics, exam questions, class readings, and even homework problems.
Engage. Connect. Repeat.
Asking open-ended questions linked to students’ interests (e.g., music, pop culture) generate a lively class discussion as long as conversations are directed back to learning objectives. Additionally, demonstrating empathy (e.g., contacting absent students) and interest in students fosters a sense of community and social presence.
Reference
Weimer, M. (2017). Benefits of giving students choices. Faculty Focus. Retrieved from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/benefits-giving-students-choice-learn/