share my own interest in the subject and share personal experiences
Your advice is well taken. I need to work on being more positive and encouraging in the classroom so the students will be motivated to work hard and write a successful resume instead of it being drudgery.
Thank you
Jackie
Thanks for the suggestion. It is definitely an idea I will explore. I think that because some of our students struggle with writing and are nervous about interviewing, it hinders them from realizing how important the resume work is.
Telling them real-life scenarios that have occurred in the field and how I handled those situations. Having positive outcomes and if they were mistakes, how I learned from them to do better. The course I am teaching is extensive and difficult, but telling the students that they are this much closer to their dream and goal and working hard truly pays off in the end.
Hi Jacqueline,
I'm not surprised by the attitudes of students about writing resumes but I am amazed. A resume is a window through which a perspective employee can view a student. Without a well prepared resume employment chances are greatly reduced. Sorry, I'm preaching to the choir on this one.
Keep up your efforts. I would bring some graduates back into the class and have them tell the students how important a resume is to their future career. Maybe this will get their attention.
Gary
Since my course is called Career Skills and helps students with writing their resume and practice interviewing I try to motivate them by helping them to see that the harder they work on their resume and the more they practice their interviewing the more successful they will be in obtaining a job in this challenging economy. I can definitely use more advice in this area as sometimes the students are overwhelmed by having to write a resume and become demotivated.
Finding a way to take theoretical discussion and move it from a classroom setting into a laboratory situation in which success can be measured immediately is a great way to show wisdom of a lecture. Often times having the "proof in the pudding" motivates students to further investigate and explore lessons being presented to them. Success reduces the apprehension in attempting new ideas or techniques. In a team scenario, small successes have a great impact on other members of the team.
Hi Jessica,
I am a big promoter of service learning. It helps to build the connection between students and their field in so many different ways. It is also a big motivator as you know. Service learning is a win win for everyone. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I incorporate a service learning activity in my classes. I help students find some aspect of the project that they're interested in. Through incorporating what they've learning in class into action with an organization, course material seems to hit home. Students often become more motivated to learn as they recognize that the information they are learning now will be very beneficial to them in the future.
Hi Jennifer,
This is be a great deal of fun and allow you to be creative in your instructional planning. By coming up with examples of how your course content is relevant and has application to their lives you are going to increase the motivation of your students so they will see your course as being more than just a basic course they have to take.
Gary
For my courses the key will be tying classroom knowledge to real world application. I'm teaching a basic knowledge class & students frequently don't see "why I need to know this". It will be my job to tie the basic knowledge to real world applications to they know "why".
helping the students to understand of looking at from different angles things. see from the students point of view and help clarify thing that a students don't understand. encouraging students to do the best and how manage time.
To model it...if I am happy and excited about what I am teaching, the students will be.
Let them have some control over what and when things are done. People are more likely to follow guidelines and rules if they have had some say in its creation.
I definitely agree with this statement. I believe that teaching is not only about instruction in the specific subject area which you are teaching, but in all aspects of life. By using the 3 M's, especially Model, we can motivate and lead our students through example both professionally and personally.
Hi Ellory,
I teach the same type of course. It is required as a part of their certification process so they come into the class with a bit of an attitude. It is 3 hours in length from 7 until 10 pm. So it is fun to try and engage all of the students in the learning process whether they want to be in the course or not. This lets me be creative in my activities and projects.
I really appreciate your excitement about your field and how much you like to teach about it. This makes the job a lot more motivation and challenging because you are there to share you knowledge and expertise to a wide variety of students.
Gary
I absolutely love the subjects I teach. I hope that I portray that love through my enthusiasm and energy. However, I know that not all of my students are enrolled in my classes because they wanted to take the course. Some are taking the class since it is required; others since it is the only class that would fit into their schedule and they needed the credits to graduate. These are the students that must be reached in other means besides just course content and material. Keeping the students engaged in class and having many activities throughout the class (a 3 hour block of time) helps to keep some motivated. Others need more "valuable" incentives - although I rarely give it - extra credit will sometimes work well. Real-world examples also help some students to stay motivated. Once they see the application of the material outside of the classroom walls they understand that the material is valuable and transferable.
Hi Carol,
So true. They really like examples of what has happened to you the instructor as well as how you handled the situation. With all of your experience you have enough stories to last 3 lifetimes of teaching so continue to share those stories and motivate your students.
Gary
Hi Matthew,
Good question, not sure I have a response that addresses strategies. We are still working on some techniques that will help in this area but they are in the field testing stage of development. Will have further information coming.
Gary
Hi Matthew,
I like the way you introduce the value of what you are teaching. The taking away of one application opportunity each time the class meets really helps with relevancy. I am sure this makes teaching much easier for you.
Gary
