21 CLASSROOM TECHNIQUES
TO PROMOTE RETENTION

1. During the crucial first class sessions, stress a positive “you can handle it” attitude.
2. Emphasize your willingness to provide individual help with the course content.
3. Learn the name of each student as quickly as possible and use their name in class.

A couple of simple methods for doing this are to utilize name "tents " (index cards folded

in half and placed in front of each student) or to circulate a sign-in attendance sheet that

can double as a "cheat sheet" to help you correlate the names with the faces.

4. Be sure to specify your name and how you would like to be addressed by the students                                                                     (i.e. first name, Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Prof., etc.).
5. At the first class meeting (or within the first few class meetings), pair up the students and
   have them get acquainted with one another. If time permits, switch partners every five
   minutes. Faculty should participate. Have students introduce one another to the entire class.
6. Have your students establish a “buddy” system for absences, work missed, assignments,
   tutoring, etc.
7. Provide your office location, hours, and telephone number to students. Tell students where
   your schedule is posted.
8. Conduct a full instructional period on the first day of classes. This activity will set a positive
   tone for the learning environment you want to set.
9. Tell your students what they should expect of you and how you will contribute to their
   learning.
10. Arrive in your classroom before your students arrive; be the last person to leave the room.
11. Distribute an outline of your lecture notes before class starts. This approach assists students
    in organizing the material you are presenting and impels you to present your materials in an
    orderly manner.
12. Circulate around the class as you talk or ask questions. This movement creates a physical
    closeness to your students.
13. Take the initiative to contact and meet with students who are doing poor work. Be especially
    cognizant of the “passive” student: the one who comes to class, sits quietly, does not
    participate, and does poorly. Consider referring such students to HFCC’s Early Alert
    program (see 21).
14. Encourage study groups (a form of peer tutoring). Emphasize the fact that students are not
    competing with one another, but that they can learn from one another.
15. Invite college advisors to visit your classes to foster awareness of counseling and college
    services.
16. Encourage students to attend cultural activities and to participate in extra-curricular
    activities.
17. Help students feel free to ask questions. When you answer a student’s question, be sure the
    student understands your answer. Have them repeat in their own words.
18. Place study guides and lecture notes in a file in the library, along with old tests and quizzes.
19. Utilize small group discussions in class whenever feasible. Identify a goal to be achieved
    through discussion.
20. Use your imagination; devise ways to reinforce positive student accomplishments. Try to
    avoid placing students in embarrassing situations, particularly in class. Be patient with them
    when they don’t understand the material.
21. Follow this link to submit the optional Early Alert form, which will alert the appropriate advisement

office of students who are struggling academically, emotionally, socially, etc. The appropriate advisement
office will then contact these students and seek to provide support or guidance.