Identifying and dealing with students at risk

Abstract

The engagement and retention of engineering students are issues that have been of concern for educators for at least 50 years, and with an increasing number of students engaged in work outside the university, the pressures are increasing. In the current study, the effectiveness of a program titled "Students @ Risk" has been assessed. The program revolves around a weekly summative quiz where performance and attendance are noted. In an attempt to prevent problems before they set in, students who have not attended at least half of the quizzes in the first four weeks of semester are contacted by the lecturer and urged to make the most of the opportunities that the quizzes afford. The numbers contacted normally account for up to 10% of the class, although it is often less than 5%. Experience has shown that the students who are contacted respond well to the approach. Approximately 40% respond to the email, and in most cases these students then make significant improvements in attendance with rates going from a low 35% to 45% for the rest of the semester. The students are also likely to go on to pass the course. The feedback from the whole class is very positive with regards to the quizzes, with 64% of respondents to one course evaluation listing the quiz as one of the best aspects of the course. There has also been encouraging feedback from individuals in the class who have been contacted as part of the program.