The purpose of this presentation is to outline the strategies that will help professors and educators to be more understanding of their students when they are going through difficult times and how, above all, to engage ghosting students. To foster a more compassionate environment where students do not feel distant, disengaged, or uncared for by school and professors, this presentation discusses what additional training and resources should be given to the professors. The way a student is treated has an impact on whether they remain interested in the class or university and it also affects the dropout rate. With the pandemic-induced school closures, academic normalcy remains out of reach for many students, educators, and parents. Colleges and universities have faced severe staff shortages, high rates of absenteeism, and quarantines. Furthermore, students and educators continue to face mental health issues, increased rates of violence and misbehavior, and concerns about lost instructional time. This has given rise to disengagement and student ghosting. Ghosting occurs when students stop participating in a course, either physically or virtually, without informing the instructor or giving a valid reason. Interestingly, students do not disappear suddenly, but they do show some signs of disengagement before they start ghosting. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the causes of student disengagement from the classroom, how to spot it, and how to act before they start disappearing altogether. Relationships between instructors and students are central to teaching and learning. Compassion, flexibility, and communication are essential in these testing times.

Authors:
Bindu Ranaut, West Coast University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Bindu Ranaut is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at West Coast University, United States

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