This depends on why it is that a student is taking a particular course. Is it something they like to do, is it money motivated, or are they taking it for their on enrichment? When I know what motivates them to attend/enroll in their program, I can tailor my speech/lecture to try to motivate my students. On a related note, I often discover that students in Career institutes are motivated by the money they've heard they can earn in the field...Something that I am not totally in agreement with. I believe one's motivation for a course/program should be to "enhance" the passion they already possess for the career field.
I think to ensure opportunities for the students success by assigning tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult. Also, help students find personal meaning and value in the material. Create an atmosphere that is open and positive.
Rick,
Great advice for instructors to follow. These strategies are going to result in engaged students that will see the value of the content being offered. Thank you for sharing this information with other instructors especially those that are just starting their teaching careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First of all, to be excited about the topic in the first place and make it exciting (and relevant) to the learners. Making the instruction interactive giving the students (individually or as small groups) the opportuntity to respond and interact can really help to keep them engaged. Also, attempt to make it personal, either through your own experience or better yet through theirs. I like to ask a lot of questions of the students always refering to them by name. If there is a student who avoids speaking up, ask them an opinion question, where there is no "wrong" answer -- only their opinion. One more thing is to acknowledge all responses and make a closing comment on their response often times thanking them for their input. All of these things can get the students more engaged and thereby, a bit more motivated.
Sharon,
All good ways to get your students engaged. The connection between the course content and the real world is a powerful one. The more you are able to do that the better because that increases the ROI for the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find that by connecting the skills and subject being covered to their practical application in the career field, students become interested in the course. Additionally, being animated in vocal delivery, and moving around the class room, can help the keep the student's attention.
Stephen,
Thank you for this list of ways to reinforce students. You are right about their need to have someone appreciate them as human beings as well as students. It is a building process when it comes to confidence and personal growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There are many ways to motivate students in the class that they are taking. First impressions are critical and can impact the motivation and set the stage for failure or success.
Body language, tone of voice, excitment, and showing that you want them to succede can all be motivating to the whole class. Praising students and rewarding them for a job well done is also a great motivating tool. Every person needs a "GREAT JOB" or "WAY TO GO" to keep them going and not give up.
Remind the students how far they have come and how much they have learned from time to time. An instructor that cares will see and know when a student needs encouragement, timeing is importiant.
Claudia,
Like your attitude and I trust your efforts will be rewarded with increased student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Claudia,
I have had classes like that. No matter what you do they will not become engaged. Do your best and remember that as a professional educator you are maintaining a high level of instructional delivery. When I have a class like this I do everything I can with the class and leave it at that. Then I focus on the fact that I have a lot of good students that really want to learn and I am helping them move closer to their career goals. Having these students is what keeps me coming back to the classroom. I wish you the best in this situation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Claudia,
Good plan because students like variety and change of pace in instructional delivery. This way you are keeping them engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Great ideas about motivational materials and using their interest in their field. I am going to look for some motivational literature to add to my class and also great idea on props. Thanks
I totally agree about enthusiasm and all my observations state that I am one enthusiastic presenter but I have this one class... I love my subject and I have tried lots of different activities and I still have trouble getting them to raise their heads off the table and participate. I spend hours preparing for this class and still can't motivate them.
I try to use different methods to deliver information and not rely totally on lecture.
Yvette,
How have your students responded to this approach?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use real images and life situations to interest the students.
Nicholas,
This is such a great way to create a connection between what you are teaching and what the students see as the value of the course. The more examples you can share the more relevance they see and it just builds from there. Good model to follow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use my experience has a law enforcement officer to relate real life situations to the criminal justice material that I teach. It has worked to increase student motivation and participation.
Rico,
Good way to make the connection between the classroom and the lab. The more experience students have like this the easier their transition is going to be to their employment setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A few ways that I motivate my students is by giving them real world projects to work on and then infuse a problem while doing it to see how they react. After the project is done, we sit and talk about how they reacted to the project and what they could have done differently.
