Life After 40:

AMATYC and Teachers Reach

Middle Age

By Joni Pirnot, Cathy Panik, Mary Beth Headlee

Strategies for

OrganizationCreating and Maintaining

EnthusiasmStudent Retention

Organizational Strategies

Class PreparationClass OrganizationEfficiencyOther Strategies

Class Preparation

Arrive earlyArrange and prepare Post announcementsGive out papers/answer questionsHave extras

Class OrganizationMake announcementsAnswer questions from homeworkIntroduce new topicLecture and class activitiesCheck understandingGive homework

Efficiency

Seating ChartPost notes and solutions online1 or 2 struggling studentsEncourage students to work

togetherHandle e-mails and papers as few

times as possible

Other Strategies

Anticipate questionsInvolve students in problemsCall on students by nameExplain whyEncourage students to help explainWrite down student requestsMonitor time

Creating and Maintaining Enthusiasm in the Classroom

Beginning: Celebrate the Beauty of Mathematics

Share secretsPersonify numbers,

equations, and graphsInject superlatives into the

discussion

Middle: Cultivate a Passion for Teaching

Be a lifelong learner; consult colleagues

Welcome questionsPause to appreciate

End: Generate a Positive Learning EnvironmentBreak through the fourth wallUtilize the power of

suggestionThank students every day for

being present

Check: Accentuate the Personality of the Class

Construct a unique experience by scaffolding

Take advantage of group dynamic

Find reasons to applaud

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Make frequent eye contact and note facial expressions

Singers, actors, and comedians repeat successful routines

Ensure that content is current

Student Retention

FlexibilityCreate a “Learning

Community”Personal InterestPost Notes After Class

Flexibility

Be nice and approachableAllow for learning from a

distance if possibleBrainstorm solutions with

the student

Create a “Learning Community”

Safe learning environmentGroup work/study buddies“We’re all in this together”

Personal Interest

Nip problems earlyCall or e-mail studentsLearn names and some

personal information

Post Notes After Class

Still require attendanceAllows flexibility for various

learning stylesGreat for students with

disabilities

What do you think is the most common reason students stop attending your class?

1. Personal reasons (33)2. Getting behind/discouraged (30)3. Immaturity/lack of motivation (18)4. Unhappy with grade/difficulty of class

(12)5. Lack of prerequisite knowledge (7)

What is your best strategy for improving retention?

1.Contact students personally (27)2. Make class useful and entertaining (24)3. Learner-centered environment (18)4. Points for attendance (12)5. Advising early-on/leveling (7)6. Instill confidence (6)7. No idea (6)

Discussion and Sharing