Nudging involves interventions that steer someone toward a better decision without taking away their choice. And nudging students, often through text, messaging, MeetUps, email, chatbots or an institution’s learning management system, can be very effective when it comes to student retention and getting students to use campus services, when done the right way, experts say.
Some colleges and universities use nudging to help students get back on track, alert them to important deadlines and to advertise useful campus resources, reported Education Dive.
However, nudging can also backfire. If students are receiving too many messages, for instance, they may opt out. “You can end up with nudges turning into noise,” Mark Milliron, co-founder of Civitas Learning, told the publication. “And when nudges turn into noise, there’s no impact.”
It’s important that nudges not be seen as a cure-all, however. “Nudges aren’t going to save the world,” Milliron told Education Dive. “Nudges are a strategy in a larger family of activities. It’s the right kind of information. It’s the right kind of support systems. It’s the right kind of curricular resources… combined with the right nudge at the right time.”
In addition to formalized programs like those mentioned here, a motivational nudge can simply be a trusted faculty or staff member calling a student out on the carpet. What have they done in the past month to work toward a certain goal? How are they getting involved on campus?
You don’t want to hold their hand, however. Instead, it’s about giving them a nudge of accountability with the results in their very own hands.
Source: Education Dive, 1/15/19
For more motivational strategies like this one, check out our NEW 77 Ways to Motivate Today’s Students guide to help students be their own best advocates and embrace their sense of self-efficacy.
