I've done the candy reward as well. Most of my students are adults, but it still works well! They enjoy being recognized for what they know. I always write comments on their papers and assignments as well. I don't just give them back with a check mark or nothing written on them but a grade. Even if it's just to say "great improvement!" or something like that. I want them to know I really value everything that they do and that I am actively trying to help them wherever I can.
I teach applied math and I find that the things that motivate my students the most are the ways I can tie-in what they learn to their current or future work. I always try to present the material in a way that would be relevant to the workplace, as in using practical problems that feature situations and questions that might arise during a typical workday. I know they are excited about their careers, so if I can show them how math is necessary and helpful to them in their work I find that it helps them to appreciate math. They may not end up loving it as I do, but they come away from my course, hopefully, with greater understanding and confidence about the subject. I also like to share with them any articles I find in the recent news regarding math and how it relates to the workplace. We start some interesting discussions that way and it starts off the class with a liveliness you don't get from simply jumping into some calculations!
Share the outcomes of the course
Yes, I would agree. Bad attitudes are contagious. complainung about couse ciriculum in front of students, not good. A possative attitude goes along way.
Where can I find out more about Clicker Method?
Be excited and motivated about the coarse yourself. Get them envolved by asking questions and creating a positive discusion about the subject being lectured. Let them know you care about them learning the coarse and being successful with what they are learning.
Hi Barry,
Great attitude. Would like to take one of your classes. This is one of the essential parts of teaching and you are reflecting it in your approach to classroom and working with your students.
Keep up the good work!
Gary
Hi Niles,
I know giving out candy sounds elementary but you are right, it can be a great motivator. The adults like to be recognized for their abilities and giving out candy for answers or other successes helps to reinforce their self confidence.
Gary
Hi Joyce,
Well said. We can never forget where out students come from. Many of them bring a lot of baggage into the classroom and we need to help them to be successful so the baggage doesn't get in the way of their success. We are helping them to create a future and that is why we are teachers.
Gary
To excite my students, I must be excited myself. Some people refer to me as "the cartoon" because, no matter how lousy the day, when I hit the classroom I bubble over with energy.
To motivate my students, you have to be passionate about the topic (not just knowledgable). And most importantly you have to make the class applicable to their lives/careers. For me, that is easy. Food Science is the "Why?" behind all of the technical and technique classes.
Even though we are at a college level, I motivate sometimes with candy, something simple as a piece of gum. Even as adults, we like prizes! In a class discussion, I have a bag of candy, if someone answers a question, I throw them a piece of candy.
Also, extra credit is motivation!
In order for me to motivate my students I kick off the first five minutes of class time with a real live salon experience. This usually activates their morale.
I am aware that a lot of the students come from low income as well as the students that I teach in the middle school where I am employed, but you have to have high expectations for your students, no matter what. You have to respect them and try to be understanding. Let them know that you actually care about them and they will perform for you. You have to be understanding that a lot of them have been out of school for years and that it is all new to them, but you can do this. Encouragement goes along way.
Joyce Brown
Hi Joann,
Right you are about providing support to students in a way that can help them be successful and that all faculty needs to be on board with this concept. When this happens there is a flow to the learning paths of the students that continues throughout their entire course sequence.
Gary
Hi Patricia,
Good plan for reaching your students and providing them with learning opportunities based upon their learning preferences. These efforts will help to keep them engaged and focused on the course content.
Gary
By conveying a message to them through interactive lectures that you are very intersted in their feedback and getting to know their knowledge base. This will send a message that their questions, viewpoints annd opinions regarding the content of the lecture is important. Another way is through directing them to all the staff that are in place as resource people to help them. They have to know that all the faculty are on board to help them succeed.
I try to keep in mind that each individual learns differently, so I do some lecturing, some demonstration and some hands on desk work and some group work. I try to relate as much as I can to their career field. I will say, "Those of you in business will use this skill when you . . ." I also try to be as encouraging as I can be. I'm a good "cheerleader," as the course content put it. I also like to try to say or demonstrate a skill in several different ways, hoping that each student can relate to at least one way it was said or demonstrated. If I can help them succeed, that is the best motivator I know.
I've also found that bringing in speakers from the field, real life success stories so to speak, make students warm up to the subject, interact with each other, and ask very relevant questions
I think by being motivated yourself this definitely helps and involving the students in their learning. I teach clinicals but in our post conferences I always plan for the students to share what they have learned with our group.
Hi Terry,
You raise a very good point about student motivation. The majority of my students are full time workers and I have them in class from 4 until 10 pm. This presents a real motivation challenge.
For some of my classes I have the students bring examples from their community lives of how the content can be applied. I also assign them some assignments where they apply content either in their homes or community so they can see the value of what they are learning and this really helps with motivation as well. So they get to see application and relevancy in both their professional and private lives.
Gary
