In the current "Facebook" generation, an excellent method for motivating has always been engagement. Setting an environment where the student needs to engage with the material, the instructor, and their fellow students. The current student population is almost always consistently engaged by their world, by increasing the level of interaction and engagement, we can increase their interaction and motivation.
As an Instructor at the school I graduated from a short time ago. Like many I try to use My past experience to motivate students. For Me that would be the fact that I quit my secondary eduation the first time I enrooled in it(in 1983). Using the example of the many different jobs, not carrers,I have had since that time.By not finishing my carrer training the first time it has been a financial struggle since.
My approach to cell phones seems to be different from most of you. FIrst I must say that all of my students are adults who are expanding on their careers. That being said, my policy is simply turn the phone on silent as to not disturb others if it goes off. However if you do get a call, and you feel it is important then please take it outside and not disrupt the class setting. Quietly leave the room and handle your business before returning.
Ted,
A very well made point. Internal motivation is so powerful and can be lifelong if an individual truly believes in their abilities and skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching students to overcome their fear of failure and create a life long love of learning will lay the groundwork for motivation to excel in any endeavor they undertake in life.
Kevin,
I am with you on your policies. I want the attention of the students to be focused on the course not their outside issues.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes. I agree cell phones are not permitted during class time by myself or the students. When working in a computer lab, I also ask that facebook not be used.
Miriam,
You have hit upon one of my big issues in class. Lack of respect and using a cell phone in class are two things that I deal with right up front, just as you do. I really like your approach because you are letting your students have fun with the examples while making clear the behavior expectations. The stage is set for a great class with this method.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Debbie,
Good to hear you have a model to follow based upon your own positive experience as a student. Build upon and use all the strategies that you have had exposure to and with your own creativity you will have a tool box of teaching that contains all kinds of "tools" to get the job done.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I also tend to pull from my own experiences, and I remember how it felt when the instructor would allow students to talk through their lecture or talk while another student was trying to answer a question posed by the instructor...I thought it was disrespectful. In my syllabus, I add a section for classroom etiquette, which addresses such issues as talking out of turn in class, talking on/texting with cell phones, interrupting others while they are talking, etc., and I go over this section thoroughly on the first day of class. While covering this section of the syllabus, I ask the students if they will give any other examples of being rude in class and I usually get a lot more examples than I list in the syllabus. The students tend to be pretty proud of themselves at this point, because they are given the opportunity to expound upon the syllabus, the culture of the classroom environment and they are being allowed to "own it" a little by showing, through their own examples, that they know how they are supposed to act in class.
When I was a student, I became more motivated when the instructor asked me for insight or feedback or insight. It made me be more prepared for class that day and to ask more questions and therefore learn more from that lesson.
