You can help students be motivated by giving them relevant examples of how they will use the knowledge gained in this course while on the job!!!!
Hi Scot,
Like your plan. This is a great reward for putting forth the maximum effort to gain an advantage in test taking. I know for me the fewer tests I have to take the better I feel.
Gary
I reward them for mastering tasks...we have 5 weekly quizs I tell them if they get two 100% they can test out of the other quizes
Hi Earl,
The connection between the classroom and the real world is so important. I do like you and use guest speakers a lot in my courses to validate what I am teaching is accurate and current with the demands of the career field. This helps them to get motivated with their studies because they start to see their future in the field as a result of the speakers.
Gary
Hi Mark,
Well said about the need for being a life long learner. If we can instill that into our students while they are with us we will have done them a great service. Keep up your efforts.
Gary
The best ways I can think of is to do your best to explain them how what they are learning in the classroom is relevant to their job. What really helps if you can tell them in the classroom,is repeated by someone working in the career field (guest speaker) now. I guess some students need to hear the same thing from more than one person to be motivated.
I teach nursing students in a clinical setting and have the flexibility to arrange some of their clinicals in areas of special interest to each student individually. Students appreciate the effort I make to customize each student's experience to their future career goals. Consequently, they are more patient in attending the other required clinicals which may not be of as much interest to them.
This works for children and adults. By being a learner. I tell them I get excited when I am learning about something new and when I find out something new. I get excited when I see countering opinions. While growing up it was always said, you were successful if you learned something new each day.
I really enjoy learning. I acknowledge I don't know everything and deny I have met the peak of my experiences and learning about a given topic.
This is openly conveyed to a student and will go a long way to their habits of lifelong learning.
Is there anything better than to lead and in turn motivate by example?
- Be prepared and comfortable with the information and subject I am teaching.
- Get to know the students, their strengths and weaknesses, and look for ways to include and challenge them.
- Provide practical applications of course materials so the students can see how the course will benefit them.
I liked the comments by the Harvard Business clip that instructors have to focus on convincing students that they love the subject, and love the student. Careful preparation is essential to laying out a relevant and challenging course that will motivate the students and convince them of your professional competence.
I find this to be very helpful as well. They always need to know the "why" behind the information. I teach general education courses at a primarily technical school so it is very challenging to get the "why" across, but once you do it's very rewarding!
Hi Renetta,
Good strategies. You are having a number of points of contact with them that lets them know your are there to support them as needed while encouraging them in their efforts.
Gary
The techniques I use to motivate students in an online environment is to send encouraging email, converse in the instant message tool and coach and encourage through grading comments.
Hi Heather,
I wish my students had taken your course before they get to mine. I teach upper level courses and the quality of writing I get for the most part is very weak. They don't understand how this reflects on them in the application process. Their resumes will go straight across the HR person's desk if they contain poor grammar and misspellings.
You are teaching an essential course and the more you can show application and relevancy the greater value this course will have to the students, even though I understand how hard it is to convenience them of it at times.
Gary
I try to relate everything we do in class to how it will help them improve in other classes, and more importantly, in their lives outside of the class. I teach composition, and often a writing course is just a hurdle to them, or a credit they need to graduate. I begin the quarter by asking them how often they write in emails, texts, or at work, and I show them how the course is meant to improve their writing skills all around, not just for assignments.
Hi Lindsey,
Go for it! Sounds like you are being dynamic in your delivery even if the content is not as exciting as you wish it to be. The key is to take the content and format it so the instructional delivery keeps the students engaged while they acquire the needed content.
Gary
I teach a very dry subject and sometimes find it is very hard to get students interested in the material. I keep them awake by jumping around the room and asking them questions. I try and relate the lecture to real life, something they may have experienced.
To motivate your students about the course, I would explain real life scenarios that are relevant to the course.
Hi Dr. Vuolo,
Good point. This really helps to make it real for the students. Sometimes they miss the connection between the classroom and real life. By bringing in the cases you are helping them to make that connection so they know what they are in for when they complete their schooling.
Gary
Hi Teresa,
You are doing all the right things to help your students to be successful. The more you can build their confidence the stronger they are going to be as they complete their rotation. Also, they will have a much clearer picture of what their careers are really going to be like when they complete rotation which is critical if they are going to stay in the field.
Gary
