Faculty Guide: How to Use a Tag in Dropout Detective

Introduction

Tags in Dropout Detective allow you to connect students with specific support services across SPC. This guide explains what tags are, how to use them, and what happens after you add one.

Contents

What is a Tag n Dropout Detective? 

How to Add a Tag in Dropout Detective

What Happens Next? 

Frequently Asked Questions about Tags

Other Dropout Detective Resources

What is a Tag in Dropout Detective? 

A tag is a way to flag that a student may benefit from a specific support service, such as tutoring or resource assistance. Tags are a one-way communication tool—they notify the appropriate department, but they do not create an ongoing conversation inside Dropout Detective like advisor alerts do.

Instead of back-and-forth communication, tags act as a referral: you’re connecting the student with the right team, who will then take the next step to provide support.

How to Add a Tag in Dropout Detective

1. Navigate to your course and select Dropout Detective from the Third-Party Tools section of your course navigation. 
2. Select the student to open up the individual student view. 
3. Select the Notes tab. 
   
4. Click Select Tags (1) and choose the appropriate tag from the dropdown menu (2). 
   For example: Tutoring/Academic Support Recommended
   
5. Verify that your tag shows in the Tag area (1), input detailed notes regarding your tag (2), and click Submit Note (3).
   

What Happens Next? 

A tag is one-way communication in Dropout Detective. When you add a tag to a student note, the system automatically sends an email notification to the appropriate SPC department.

For example, if you tag a student as Tutoring/Academic Support Recommended, the Learning Resource Center will receive an email and follow up directly with the student’s SPC email, sharing tutoring options and how to schedule an appointment. At that point, communication continues outside of Dropout Detective via email between the student and the department.

What happens next depends on the tag you select. Some tags route to the Learning Resource Center, while others, like Laptop Lending, route to Titans Care or another support team. In all cases, your tag connects the student with the right people, and outreach will happen via their SPC email. Encouraging students to check their SPC email is key.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tags

Q: Can I add a tag to an advisor alert if it's relevant so they're in the same note?
A: Yes. You can select both an Alert Advisor tag and another tag (like Tutoring/Academic Support Recommended) in the same note. It’s also fine to create separate notes if that works better for your situation.

Q: Should I tell the student that I'm tagging them?
A: You can if you’d like. For example: “I recommend tutoring, and I’m also going to request they reach out to you directly—keep an eye on your SPC email this week.”

Other Dropout Detective Resources

Faculty Guide: How to Alert a Student's Advisor in Dropout Detective

Dropout Detective Page in Faculty Support Group in Titan Hub

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team 
 
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