I like to do small breaks not only for the brain but for the body as well.I try to do riddles or anything fun for small prizes to keep their motivation level high.
Hi Evelyn,
Great list. Thanks for sharing it with us. I know it will be valuable to other instructors as well.
Gary
Remain Positive
Provide Opportunities for Success
Be Excited
Teach Teamwork
Public Praise
Teach Problem Solving Skills
Provide Opportunities for Varied Experiences
Hi Chonitia,
I like this model a lot. It really gets the students involved and accountable for the content. I like your reward format as well I am sure this really gets the students going in terms of working to get the incentives.
Gary
I tend to use the "Each One Teach One" Model while letting them know they have major student/administrative support to help them on their journey. For difficult tasks, I use incentives such as "Student helping Student" pins, pot lucks and if time permits; at the end of the module, the student will select a medical DVD of choice
Hi Jennifer,
Excitement is catching so we instructors need to bring to class each time we enter the room. We are enthusiastic about our field the engagement level of students is going to be much higher to the benefit of everyone.
Gary
Hi John,
Good strategy. This is a great way to prepare them for the coming "real world" in which they will soon be entering. The more that you can do this the easier their transition is going to be.
Gary
I can help my students become motivated and excited to take my course by showing THEM how excited I am about teaching this course. I can vocalize that it is one of my favorite courses. I can outline all the different skills they are going to learn so they can see right away all of the skills, training and knowledge that they are going to get from my class.
I give them workshops withing our lab setting. I for example will give them a Mock clinic where they need to work in groups of 2 where one is a Medical Assistant and the other is the patient and they role play what is being done for that Lab day.
Hi Esther,
Welcome to teaching. I wish you much success in helping to prepare the next generation of workers in your field. You have a very good understanding of how to engage students in the learning process. I know you are going to do fine as an instructor.
Gary
I am new to this, but think one important factor is to listen to your students, know them and what is important to them. Then use this info to help them stay motivated.
Hi John,
You make a number of very good points about student motivation. I do know that after many years of teaching and researching cognitive development I am amazed at how little I know. Humans are very complex creatures so we need to do the best we can at understanding what is driving each individual student and then try to customize our approach to target that student.
Gary
It has been my experience that some students are self-motivated: they are inherently enthusiastic about learning. Others require what I call an awakening -- through self-discovery, such students find a subject interesting. Through self-discovery, they may also find that the subject is not their cup-of-tea. Hence, "[e]ffective learning in the classroom depends on the teacher's ability ... to maintain the interest that brought students to the course in the first place" (Ericksen, 1978, p. 3) is not necessarily always true. For example, the counselor's pitch that got the student to signed up for the course can be out of sync as the student discovers the subject matter.
Componding the issue is the fact that there is no one solution for motivating students. A student is motivated by many factors (Bligh, 1971; Sass, 1989): subject matter interest, usefulness perception, achievement desire, self-worth, as well as determination and perseverance.
I have found that an engaging curriculum and student-teacher interaction are key to nuturing the student's willness to learn.
Inserting "tricks of the trade" that come from years of experience seems to inspire!
I noticed that very topic being discussed in later modules. It seems like a viable idea - I'll give it a whirl. Thank you.
By relating patient related success stories relative to the clinical environment we're in. And defining success not just as a cured patient but perhaps a peaceful and comfortable death. Also, by relating personal stories about patient care/interventions that make nursing just about the best career there is.
Hi Nicholas,
Some technical content is a challenge to deliver in an interesting way just as you mention. What I try to do is to deliver content and then have an activity using the content. So there is a change of pace being offered to the students. 10-15 minutes of content then application, 10-15 content and then application. This way the students can segments of content in relation to relevancy. This is in addition to colorful graphics, PP and other media to help keep students engaged.
Gary
Begin by showing sincere enthusiasm for the subject matter. From there, show a high level of competence without, and here's the tricky part, coming across as superior.
I've noticed that after explaining the material on basic levels, it's best to put it into real-world scenarios and see whether the students retain the information/put the ideas into context with what's being put in front of them.
However, I do find, in certain situations, keeping their interest is a little difficult. Especially in times of extreme technical explanations - the material may be dull, but not unimportant. Are there any tips for keeping the interest going?
As an instructor, being enthusiastic about your course topic is key. I posted a comment to the 'Instructors as Role Models' question earlier and gave an example of how I bring current research findings, articles, and news clippings to class and keep them at a central location. I also find it extremely valuable to tie-in current course discussions with real-life scenarios. Using current 'real-world' scenarios not only helps them tied-in to the learning objective (current-day application), but also lets them know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and all the studying does pay off. On occasion I have even had 'guest speakers' and 'field trips' to corporate companies (of course completing any admin paperwork and approvals/sign-offs needed prior to the event)
Hi Kleinkauf,
Good strategy for showing students relevancy and application of their new knowledge. In addition, it teaches them attention to detail to make sure everything and everyone is where it/they need to be.
Gary
