Elliot,
This is a great way to motivate students. I do the same and my current students really like hearing from graduates. It helps them to see their own future if they want to put forth the effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always use real-life examples of past graduates...I also tried to expand the realm of possibilities from what they may consider there only option when taking the course.
Jo,
I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I understand what you are saying about keeping the attention of your students. They need a change of pace and some variety at times to keep them engaged and focused for the duration of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In an early morning or late evening class it is difficult sometimes to hold a student's attention and keep them motivated. I have found that if I get off the course subject for a few minutes it will refresh the student's mind and then continue with the course subject.
Charles,
By making the point about the impact that a student has on a patient you are reinforcing their need to have a professional approach and commitment to being in the field. This understanding is critical if they are going to have a successful career in the dental field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
in the dental field, students need to understand how they and adversely effect a patients health if procedures arent followed. patients can go into unwanted medical emergencies.knowing this fact, students will be motivated
Carol,
This is a common challenge expressed by teachers of general education classes. Being able to show application and relevancy is important to students in this case studying culinary arts. Are you able to bring in guest speakers, such as former graduates that can give examples of how the skills developed in speech and English classes pay off in career development? I do this frequently and it really helps my students to see the value of gen ed courses. I also bring in employers for the same reason and my students respond to them as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'd love to find a way to keep my culinary students motivated in our speech and English composition classes. I stress that we're working to help them build a career, not just get them that first job, but it's difficult for them to appreciate that success depends not only on technical skill, but also on being effective communicators. I tell them that those winning job letters and business proposals aren't going to write themselves, but they look at me as if I were from another planet.
If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate your sharing them. (Perhaps they'll work on my planet, too!)
Thank you,
Carol Penn-Romine
Michael,
Can you expand on what this attribute is and how you are using it to engage your students? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Probably my only attribute at this time, Since I am new to the game.
Katina,
Be glad to help out with some suggestions but I will need some addition information about what the goals are for your course and how it fits into their total program. With this information some strategies can be developed that will increase the engagement factor for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is an area I need help in. I teach physical anthropology at a design and technology school. Most of my students do not understand why they need to take this course. So I would love some ideas how to make this course revelant to their career goals.
Donald,
This is so important because in gen ed courses it is easy for the students to dismiss the classes because they don't see any value to them. The more application of the core competencies the greater the engagement will be on the part of the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In General Education courses finding ways to introduce professional examples stimulates interest.
Dawn,
You make a very good point about the need to be supportive in providing feedback. By doing so the students will stay engaged while learning how to improve their performance and/or skills. Learning is a growth process and so we all need to have support as we grow, be we students or instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There has been research regarding how people in general remember negative comments very clearly but need extra reinforcement to remember positive comments.
I think the ratio was approximately 4-5 positive comments to 1 negative before people remember that positive comments were made.
I know I respond much better to a comment such as "That's getting better - keep trying!" It makes me feel like my effort has been recognized, even if the end product is not quite there yet. I try to incorporate more of this type of feedback, then ask the student what they think needs further improvement. That way they can begin to develop internal feedback and critical thinking to enhance future learning.
If the student is unable to identify deficits, often I will call on a student whom I know is well respected for their knowledge in the peer group AND gentle with feedback to see if they can help identify a specific deficit. There are usually a few of these in each class so I can spread those type of questions out to not make it seem like I call on my "pet." It also helps that I have already acknowledged the correct portions of the answer so other students are not looking to shoot down the entire answer.
Damona,
This is a common issue with many instructors. I teach a course from 4 until 10 pm and I have to work very hard to keep my already tired students engaged for such a long period of time. I use many different activities just as you are and for the most part I keep their attention but there are always those few that want to "drift" off and I have to try and bring them back into the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Increasing student motivation is something that I am constantly working with. There comes a time during a clock hour course that the students decide they just don't want to be there anymore. They are done with what is required work and just filling in time. I have had guest speakers from the industry come in a share their experience, hosted student competitions, peer teaching by other students who are gifted or have mastered a topic. That works for a short period of time but then students get bored again and are back to sitting around doing nothing but complaining because they are bored. Thankfully these students are not the majority but the minority and it helps when they get connected with a student who is motivated and enthusiastic about their education.
Hayli,
Learning is always a two way street and you are demonstrating that with your students. They respect you because you are willing to listen and learn from them so they in turn do the same when you present your content. This is a win win situation for all of you.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new instructor I've found what helps me motivate the students is to share stories with them of my time I worked in the field as a cosmetologist. I have also found that if I'm willing to sit and let them teach me something new that I didn't know before then that increases there motivation to learn more. I've learned so much from my students in the short time I've been an instructor. I've noticed the students I've let teach me a new braid or nail art are also more willing to sit with me while I teach them something new. When the student realizes they are teaching the instructor something new it builds confidence in the student.
