Dealing with students that are not motivated
Make the classroom fun so the students will want to come to class everyday. Give them incentives to want to come to school everyday.Remind them how important all of this will be when they are out in the field working. An employer will not put up with them if they are not motivated or doesn't want to come to class/work everyday. The student needs to treat school like a job.
I agree. If students can connect with the course content and their career it provides the motivation and focus. I bring into the class my professional experiences that helps tremendously. Once they get the "why", then they are more eager to continue learning.
Hi Joseph,
I get the same student every semester as well and I don't know if it works or not but I ask them why they are here.
I'm very bold with them. I then tell them if they acted like this at a job site they would be fired. I also tell them if they continue to act like this they will not find a job after school. They will be just another person working a low paying job with a degree if they even obtain the degree. That seems to sometimes get through to them.
I also give a beginning of the semester lecture on why are you hear and what do you expect to obtain from my class and your chosen profession. I have five older kids that have moved on so maybe that's where it comes from but it seems to work for the most part. I make everyone stand up and introduce themselves and give a brief reason why they are here in my class and what do they expect from it.
My opinion is to just be bold with them and give them a REAL dose of real life. It seems to work for me most of the time.
Hope that helps,
Val
Kitt,
Great news to hear! Glad this strategy worked for you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You were right!
Placing the students in groups created a team-spirit and the learning started clicking from there. The students formulated the topics for the mid-term review so all were engaged and motivated.
Joseph,
I have the same situation each course phase. I strive to make a connection with such students by talking with them individually and listening to how they see themselves in the class. I then work to encourage them to become a part of the class and let them know I will be supportive of their efforts. I know within my mind that I have done all I can professionally to help them progress in their learning efforts. If they decide not to participate then the results rest on them but I know that I have done all that I can do to be of help. It comes to a point that their success rests with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have to deal with a lot of unmotivated students as well. I do my best to make the class fun and enjoyable as well as challenging and engaging, but I always have at least one student in every class that is not compelled to contribute during class (whether it is for a grade or not) or do their homework/lab work at all. No matter how I express to them that if they do not do the work then they will not receive a grade for the assignment I cannot seem to get them to understand. With some of the students I start to think that they have just given up on actually passing the course, but still show up to see if I teach anything that they find worthwhile that day. Any suggestions?
Kitt,
Create teams that research and present topics in class. I make the effort competitive so it is still somewhat of a game but is more focused on student preparation and delivery. We do ratings like they do in judge events so the students work hard to have the best presentation. I also use learning groups to create questions that we can use in our discussions. As they are student generated I get a high level of participation. Hope these ideas help. Will be glad to provide any additional help if needed just let me know.
Gary
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that giving credit for in class assignments is a great tool to increase student attendance.
Other than games what other activities have been useful in creating a fun yet educational experience in the class room?
Dana,
Good strategy for engaging them and helping them to see that they can create a future for themselves if they will put forth the effort. You are personalizing their education for them and that is so important.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree. This is hard to do with students whose previous jobs have all be a negative experience though. Many of my students have had to work to support family, including their parents. I have enjoyed watching their attitudes change by sharing stories of rewarding events I've experienced along the way in my career.
Dealing with students that are not motivated can be challenging, but as Cheryl stated, you have to make the learning experience fun and offering incentives is exactly my method to keep them even more interested. Some instructors can seem as if they're drill sergeants and disengage the adult learner.
Cheryl,
Your last sentence says it all. School is their job right now so they can prepare to enter the career of their choice. They need to be serious and dedicated to that cause and if they are they will be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
