Motivating Adult Learners
Some adult learners seem less eager to be in class - they are tired, with kids, jobs, families, etc. How do you motivate the exausted student?
Hi Amanda,
Right you are about the need for the "hook". If you can do that then the next class session will be anticipated, and then the one after that, etc. This also helps with the development of respect and rapport with the instructor.
Gary
I have found that with any group of students, if you can "hook" them with a concept they understand or that makes sense to them, then when you apply the more abstract concepts the students can link the two and their understanding broadens. The key is linking their previous knowledge to the subject matter you are teaching. Then students can have that "Ahha!" moment. So for adult learners, linking what they are doing in class to what they will do in their career field should work the same way.
Hi Willie,
Great way to get the students settled into the course and familiar with each other. Ice breakers are a way to laugh, have a bit of fun and develop relationships with other students. This really helps to set the tone for the coming weeks of the class.
Gary
One of things that I do, too, Gary is do polls in the chat sessions. In these polls, I normally ask two questions about the readings for that week. Polls seem to show students that they need to try and keep up with the lessons and not fall behind.
This is a good one, Ed. I will try and use it next session. I never thought of relating motivation to job experiences. Good post!! :-)
I always give them ice breakers to soften the mood. I use this one: there was a girl who was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for cancer. She still, however, completed the class from her hospital bed. Then, I tell my students about the time I was in the hospital for 5 days. I still held my chat sessions, responded to emails (although it took a little longer for me to do than normal), and graded papers. I even gave my students the number to my hospital room so that they could call me if they needed me. Some of them did call.
Another thing that I do is tell them from day one: YOU CAN DO THIS!! I try to get them to understand that everything we do in the class, EVERYTHING, will end up aiding in completing the final project. I think that when they think of the assignments in those terms, they get a better understanding of how the class works.
Adult learning is more of a hands-on. This is where you generally get students motivationally involved in almost any classroom activity.
Thats a great idea!
Thanks so much for your feedback,
Pam
Adult are self directed learners. It is important to listen to the student and direct their focus back to their initial motivation for learning.
Hi Pam,
Have activities that will enable the adult learner to immediately used newly acquired knowledge and/or skills. This points of success really help to peak their interest and gets them very motivated to do even more learning.
Gary
Keeping adult learners motivated can be a difficult task. Getting the learner involved in a profession related activity is a good way to accomplish this. Group projects help get the students involved and motivated. Getting a speaker to come into class is a great idea too! What are some other ways to motivate the adult learner?
Pam Burian
Hi Eural,
This is a difficult position to be in as an instructor. Despite your best efforts and planning you are not getting the student success you desire. I would continue the strategies you are currently using and keep your excitement for the content area.
When you mention these students that are not doing well are you talking the majority of students or just a few in each class. If it is just a few then you can provide support to them and if they don't respond you know you have done all you can do to help them be successful. If a majority of students in your classes are not having any success due to their external influences and pressures then I would suggest you talk with the college administration because there are wider student problems than you can handle in your class along. A team approach needs to be instituted so their issues can be addressed by a host of college personnel and then solutions sought. This is the only way you are going to be able to successful with these students with so many challenges in their lives.
Gary
I find it very challenging to motivate my young adult students. To them their goals seem so distant, and their overwhelming adversities are ever present. They are single parents, some are experiencing hardships and various personal problems. They soon lose sight of their goals because their problems are "all up in their face". I have used every method shared in the forums and I am still losing ground. What else can I do?
Hi Stephanie,
I make games out of the job related and real life activities that the students will be experiencing. That way I have some competition going in the class which really helps with motivation as well as a connection between the classroom and the real world.
Gary
What kinds of activities do you do to motivate students? My students are young adults and want to play games but I am also looking for more "job-related" or real-life activities.
Hi Michelle,
I try to create a connection between the sources of exhaustion and show them why they are in school.
Also I use lots of activities to keep the students engaged and moving so they don't get too much time to get settled into just being physically there and not mentally involved in the learning.
Gary
I am teaching an evening class and it is a difficult task in keeping the learners alert. Depending on the topic, I will invite speakers to the classroom or online. Normally, these speakers motivate the students to ask questions on the topic. The speakers are great resources for careers.
Sandy Braxton
Motivating the adult learner is difficult, but the best way I have found is to relate what they are learning to actual job experience, so they can relate to why they are learning a particular topic
Sometimes I motivate these students by bringing their situations that make them tired into the class room. It kind of breaks the ice when we relate instructional situations with family.
