Welcome to the second week of Retention Boot Camp! This week’s microlearning session focuses on two actionable strategies to help you engage learners and improve retention using new product features on Outschool. These tools—the Notemaker and the Assignments Tab—are designed to streamline your communication and enhance the learning experience for families. Let’s dive in and explore how these features can benefit your teaching practices.
Feature 1: The Notemaker
What is the Notemaker?
The Notemaker, launched in 2023, is an AI-powered tool that helps educators draft feedback to share with families after a class. Initially introduced for one-on-one classes, it is now available for all class types, offering a seamless way to provide post-class communication.
How Does It Work?
- Take Notes During Class: Jot down key points—observations, highlights, or challenges—on sticky notes or any note-taking tool.
- Input Notes into the Notemaker: Use the tool to draft a message for families.
- Review and Personalize: Edit the draft to ensure it reflects your tone and style. Avoid including personal identifiable information (PII) to maintain privacy.
Why Does It Matter for Retention?
Research shows a direct correlation between post-class feedback and learner retention:
- Best Retention: Families receiving feedback drafted with the Notemaker exhibit the highest retention rates.
- Good Retention: Educators who manually craft and send personalized feedback still see strong retention.
- Poor Retention: Families who receive no feedback are less likely to continue with classes.
Takeaway
Providing feedback within 24–48 hours after a class helps families feel connected and valued. Whether you use the Notemaker or write messages yourself, the key is consistent communication.
Feature 2: The Assignments Tab
What is the Assignments Tab?
Introduced in 2024, the Assignments Tab organizes classwork—whether in-class or homework—into a dedicated space. It simplifies submission, review, and tracking for both educators and families.
Why Families Love It
According to a recent survey:
- 33% of Families want to track learning progress.
- 82% of Families actively seek comprehensive learning experiences, including assignments.
The Assignments Tab addresses these needs by making it easier for families to engage with class materials and track their child’s progress.
Learner Feedback
One learner shared:
“I enjoy being able to view all the assignments in a separate tab so I can look at previous ones without having to scroll past everything.”
This streamlined experience reduces frustration and enhances engagement, ensuring a positive class experience.
Why Does It Matter for Retention?
The Assignments Tab improves retention by:
- Creating an Organized Learning Environment: Families and learners can easily find assignments and track progress.
- Meeting Family Expectations: Many families value tools that make learning experiences comprehensive and accessible.
Action Steps
- Incorporate Feedback with the Notemaker:
- Send post-class notes within 24–48 hours.
- Highlight key moments, challenges, and growth areas.
- Personalize every message to create meaningful connections.
- Utilize the Assignments Tab:
- Organize classwork into manageable sections.
- Provide clear instructions and timely feedback on submissions.
- Use the tab to enhance communication and engagement with families.
Supporting Resources
Explore additional resources in the Retention Boot Camp Padlet, including:
- On-demand webinars.
- Discussion opportunities.
- Recommended readings and tools.
By integrating these features into your teaching practices, you can create a more engaging and retention-focused experience for learners and families. Start small, take action, and watch your retention rates soar.
