I try to implement student motivation everyday into my classroom. Ways that I do this are as followed: (1) have a good energy in the room: positive attitudes make them more eager to learn and more motivated. (2)tell them that I am proud of their work when they go above and beyond. Stressing the fact that hard work will pay off. (3)I encourage the students daily. Motivating students makes my day worth while.
Hi Bruce,
This is a very practical assignment that enables students to use their knowledge and skills in a variety of ways. The real life approach you use helps them to see how their skills are going to be used in the future. Great project and preparation concept.
Gary
My students have to write a menu, cost it out & pair with wine. This is a big project for them.
I demonstate the techniques of menu costing and ask for a sample of their work prior to the assignment. I follow up daily with ingrediant prices, yeild % and have previous menu assignments available for viewing. We just spend three days tasting wines and discussing wine pairing. All students turned in their work on time and though they have not been corrected yet, it appears they grasped this difficult subject.
Since I teach psychology 1, I like to demonstrate to the students how they can use the knowledge gained in this class in their everyday life. We do a fun exercise and it not only helps breaks the ice but they seem more engaged in the course.
I believe it is important to learn student career goals and to continually reach out and reference materials that are relevant to their specific needs.
Students are motivated when they connect with the subject they are learning. A good way to increase their motivation is by sharing annectdotes, examples or giving them information that questions to their preconceptions. Didactic materials can also add motivation because they tend to be engaging.
Hi Suzanne,
Excitement is catching so you make a good point. We need to be excited about our field and the fact that we get to share our field with others through teaching this is what gets the students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
I agree. Imagine us as students, sitting in a class that the instructor had no passion or desire. We would not enjoy the program we enrolled in which then typically would make us dread the field
I find that my being excited about the career helps to excite the students. My motivation becomes their motivation.
Hi Debra,
You got that right! Chocolate is one of the more effective instructional tools available to teachers.
Gary
My class seems to be motivated by understanding how the class topics and coursework can be related to real life. Chocolate works well too!
I believe in order to increase student motivation, begins on the first day of class. If you outline you expectations of the students, and explain to them that this course is what you make of it. If you follow the texts and pay attention in class you will succed. The instructor has to keep a positive attitude, and enjoy lecturing the material. If the student get one idea that the instructor is not motivated or bored with the material, all will fail in the classroom.
Hi William,
I think what you are doing with students that raise such questions is good. What is their response once you have shared your perspective with them?
Thanks.
Gary
When one of my students informs me that Im taking this class because it is required, but has no interest in applying these skills out in the field. I usually lead a class discussion about how it is important to expand your knowledge and at least be proficient in all areas of the field so one can give direction and criticism when needed.
In this economy everyone of my new students are worried about finding jobs. I make every effort to bring in guest speakers, including graduates of the program, to show that the work involved is worth the effort. I also stay up with our career services department for information on graduates obtaining jobs. This information does motivate.
I have used success stories to show the topics covered in class have led to positive situations in their field of study. Showing how the skills I'm teaching them are converted into positive work environments has helped their motivation.
Hi Abigail,
There are many factors that enter into getting a student to appreciate the learning opportunities that are being presented. When I encounter a student such as the one you describe I talk with student individually to try and get a "read" on him/her. I ask the student "What he/she is seeking?" "What can I do to help them with their learning?" "Is there a special part of the course they want to focus on?" These questions are intended to try and get the student to "buy in" into the course and what I am trying to teach. I also look for ways to help the student see application and relevancy. This generally works but as you well know there are some students that you just can't reach. With them I keep trying hard and let the ownership of not learning or not being engaged fall on them.
Gary
In this module there was mention of the various student attitudes that work together to establish motivation. One of these is an appreciation for the value of the learning experience. I was wondering if there were any strategies for dealing with students who have no or very little appreciation for the learning experience. I had a difficult student in my last class cycle and I felt that he did not value his educational process and because of this, I had an extremely difficult time reaching him.
First, I think you need to bring your own passion for the topic to the classroom. I teach Epidemiology, which is a fearful experience for some. When they get a blueprint for passing the course, along with my passion for the topic and its releveancy in their future work, together we can increase classroom motivation.
Karen,
I have noticed the same thing. In the program I teach, we have paired up 2nd year and 1st year and this worked well sometimes. Anyone else know ways to draw those new students in and give them ownership and motivation? Would love some suggestions.
