The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of students on the importance of developmental relationships related to teacher satisfaction and retention. It involved the use of a 20-question survey that was focused on perceptions of on-ground undergraduate students on components of The Developmental Relationship Framework from the Search Institute. Cronbach’s Alpha, T-tests, and a Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Independent T-tests and the Mann-Whitney U Item Analysis discovered no significant differences in mean scores of survey questions and the demographic variables. While the statistical results were not significant, areas for further research were identified.
Tag: student retention
Healthcare Learning Community and Student Retention
Teaching, learning, and retention processes have evolved historically to include multifaceted techniques beyond the traditional lecture. This article presents related results of a study using a healthcare learning community in a southwest Georgia university. The value of novel techniques and tools in promoting student learning and retention remains under review. This study includes a healthcare learning community as a cutting-edge teaching and learning modality. The results of an introspective survey of 22 students in a learning community explore strategies to enhance culturally relevant teaching, learning, and retention. Although learning and retention studies have been conducted at numerous universities, few have included feedback from students in a healthcare learning community. Frequencies from student responses were tabulated using five thematic factors: social support, career knowledge/opportunities, academic support, networking and faculty rapport/relationship building. Of the five theme areas, social support was identified most frequently by students as a means to support their learning and retention in the university setting.
A Dual Approach to Fostering Under-Prepared Student Success: Focusing on Doing and Becoming
A paired course model for under-prepared college students incorporates a dual instructional approach, academic skill building and lifelong learning development, to help students do more academically and become stronger lifelong learners. In a reading support course, students improved their reading skills and applied them directly to the paired content course. They also developed lifelong learning attributes through increased self-knowledge (using the Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory), reflection, and coaching. Students showed significant gains in lifelong learning, an 85% success rate in the paired content course, and a higher retention rate than students outside the project with similar SAT critical reading scores.