I always let students haw this will help them in real world . get all the information you can out of a class , because the more you the student know about how something works the easer it is to fix right the first time. I also mention making money , that seems to be a motivater
Way out WEST here in Cali forn ia as Arnold says... We also deal with SOP's That's the standard operating proceedures. It includes conduct, dress, do's and don'ts. The most effective teachers here on campus are stearn regarding their "requirements." The frankness and explicit presentation of expections from the students really tends to set the stage for a professional classroom and students respond
I generaly start the day with (WIIFM) "What's in it for Me". Explain the industry standards and attempt to list all the posivitive aspects of the job.
I look at every portion of the content I am teaching, and try to find as many pratical, 'in the shop' applications for this information. I then put that accross to them, so they can realize why they need to learn this particular idea. It is a good 'whats in it for me'. Professionalism is an area I have for many years in the shop environment, felt that we as technicians, were lacking in improving the poor image that has been put across. I do try to instill in my students, with practical examples, what each action that happens effects them.
challengeing students to set their goals.give them a reson to be here not just to spend time at school showing them it will affect there work and everyday life if they put there best foot foward
I to like to use positive reinforcment,and agree that it must be sincere.Praise in puplic discipline in private.Another method that has worked for me is stories,from the field,of my successes and failures this I thing makes me more human in there eyes and creats a safe learning inviornment were we learn from mistakes and celabrate successe.A good store about a time you made a mistake and what you learnded from it is a great teaching tool and if its funny thats all the better. Make them laugh and they will remember it for a long time.
Mark I like your idea of having fun with the students and challenging them to look beyond what is in the textbook and material to look at how you might see this in the real world and how it can help them achieve success.
Clearly explain my expectations as well as those of the industry. Explain the benefits of meeting the standards as well as the results of substandard performance. Try to keep class and lab as close to the industry standard as possible, praise those that deserve it publicly and encourage privately those who struggle. Above all, be fair in your dealings with the student.
On proffessionalism I like to lead and teach by my example. The way I conduct my self, the way I dress, the way I talk and listen and the way I follow rules and policies.
I like to keep students motivated by stories about their chosen field both successes and failures. Examples of getting promotions and getting fired. Financial motivation is always interesting as well "How much will I make?"
I like to give clear expectations and describe the benefits of each lesson(how will it affect them in their career?) during the lecture I like to mix it up with discussions, I stop every so often to review what we have learned so far, individual and group research projects and demonstrations. I like to close the day by a class discussion to recap the material covered by asking individuals the toughest question of the day "Tell me one thing that you have learned today?" taking time to comment and praise every student's answers.
Stan
I believe applying the course to real world examples is absolutely necessary to motivating students to learn the material in your course. If the student have the perception that the skills learned in your course will not be of value to them in the field they will lose any motivation they may have had. The expression "keeping it real" really applies here. Make the students aware of just how they will use these skills in the field and how necessary these skills are to their success after graduation. Sometimes it requires a little imagination to get the point accross when you are teaching a theory based course with little hands on or real world labs, but a little imagination can extend the concepts learned to the next level were they are necessary.
The most effective motivation i have found is to explain what value this will have for the student.
Set clear expectations of what you ecpect to have accomplished by the student and why it is important to them and you. The instructor must beleive in the value if students are expected to.
Bernie
I like to challenge students to set their own goals. I will tell them "you only get out what you put in". If they want to skate by and barely pass then their careers will reflect that. If they are a motivated "go getter" than they will probably have successful careers.
I like to share personal experiences, either of my own or of other people, that have gotten fired or promoted based on their choices of professionalism.
i try to use news articals or magazine stories that pertain to the topic being covered for the day. Relating what is happening in the field and what is being learned is a good motivator.
I think by dicussing the value of the course to the students is very important. What is in it for me? What is this course going to do for me? Are a couple of questions that I as a student would want answered. If you can show value to this course, motivation should not be an issue.
Keeping a student motivated on a daily bases is different every day. I can challenge a student on one occasion, or a simple "good job" can do the trick on another. Every situation is different and every student is different. The goal is the big picture. --What is in it for me?
I set clear expectation of what is expected in the course and the behavior that will be allowed. I try to have several change of states to allow the students a changing learning enviroment, this allows them not to get board with the lesson. I also review their progress and were we are heading
Hi J,
Great to hear from an instructor that is having fun being an instructor. It is a great opportunity to impact lives and all of us need to work our hardest to be competent and prepared each time we step into a class.
Gary
motivation takes many forms, I use stories, examples praise and I challenge my students to look deeper into the subject at hand. I started dressing better for class,both for myself and the students. This does raise the bar for all the class. I also provide coffee, candy and cookies on a daily basis to allow the students a break from the routine of the class and it reduses their trips out of the classroom. I also am in my element and I am myself in class, I involve all my students in class problems and diacussions. I have fun!!
Hi Nandan,
You make a great point about praise. It has to be sincere as you mentioned and focused. The student needs to see exactly how he/she has merited the praise and what the benefits are for having earned the praise. Those benefits are increase skill development and additional knowledge acquired.
Thanks for sharing.
Gary
Praise is definitely a motivator. However, to be effective, the praise must be sincere. If a teacher praises a student when the student is well aware that the work is sub-standard, the student not only refuses to take the teacher's comments seriously but begins to be uncertain when he/she is receiving real praise and when he/she is simply being praised so that the teacher does not have to get into an argument with the student.
Hi Edwin,
You make a very good point about reminding students of professional expectations. It seems at times they forget this most important aspect of their training. Their expertise is of no value if they don't come to work and cannot get along with supervisors and co-workers.
Gary
