I find that being enthusiastic not only about the material but also about the students' individual success and learning progress is a very successful motivation tool.
I show personal interest in them to help them see that they have an ally in me and to reassure them that I will help them overcome obstacles to their learning.
Giving encouragement and reminding them that PRACTICE is what makes a master, as well as reinforcing the idea that mistakes are excellent learning processes are all part of my daily motivation techniques
I have found that field trips even to other parts of campus to see other options and aspects helps to motivate course involvement.
Some effective motivation techniques include helping learners to identify the relationship of the material taught to their own "real world". Some learners do not realize that they have actually used certain techniques but now they actually have a name to put to the experience. Allowing those learners with a lot of experience to share certain examples when others in the class may not be able to relate to it is another way to maintain motivation. To just put a "wow" on a paper can mean a great deal to a learner. I find that after about the first class based upon questions, the number of emails :-) that certain learners need to be reassured that they can be successful; that even though they've been out of school a while they can remember how to write an essay and do research. You find the motivator and you can adjust your techniques. Kathleen
Hi Solita,
The sharing of the certifications that are available is good because it helps the students to see what they must work toward plus that the goals you have for the course are there because of the standards of the industry. This helps to make it "real".
Gary
Hi John,
Having a clear focus is important for students. Your comments about needing to be understandable are good because that is so true. The students should not have to spend time trying to figure out what is the goal of the lesson, rather they should be able to get right into topic and benefit from the content being shared.
Gary
Where do you find your "virtual" field trips? Can you explain what you look for?
Since I teach mainly IT courses I like to have the information on hand about certifications that way the students can feel like their working towards something. For instance for my A+ Essentials course I send out information on the cost of the exam, Comptia's requirements for the exam, sample practice questions, and additional training resources. I also like to implement virtual field trips as well.
I believe that the best instructors are able to communicate the skills, knowledge, and values they wish to impart in an organized and clear fashion. By doing so, students can focus on learning the material rather than wasting time understanding it. Spending too much time making sense of a lesson can be demotivating to students. Lessons that are clear and understandable enhances motivation because students can immediately attend to learning and applying the material--the main reason they are probably taking the course.
Hi Brian,
Way to go in creating a sequence of skill development for your students. They can develop confidence with the early assignments and then progress to the higher order assignments as you have outlined.
Gary
Examples of effective motivational techiques are bBringing in guest speakers who work in the students' field of interest, targeting techniques based on individual student motivation needs, being flexible and empathetic, arranging field trips to see live work being performed, arranging internships.
I think guest speakers is a great way. I teach now online so I try to add podcasts (video and audio) of prominent people. For example, I can incorporate a presidential weekly address in a constitutional issues class.
I am an online instructor and I try to motivate students through providing positive feedback on assignments. With course design, I try to have easier assignments at the beginning of the term as building block assignments where students can gain confidence and be successful. We can then move on to more challenging tasks.
For me, motivating my students is extremely important. Most of the time they do not want to take my class so it is important to show them why it is valuable and show them how the material relates to them in their new career. I try to bring in guest speakers from their field that can help show the value and how successful they can be when they use this material and apply it.
The one thing I have always learned as a student to a teacher is I like the immediate feedback from assignments so that I can assess and progress. I know my students want the same. I try to make sure that their assignments have at least "good job" followed with what they may have missed from the assignment. Even students who have attempted need at least a "good try" and then a short statement on their paper. I will then follow up with each student to discuss what they could've done or have the student provide the feedback, this helps them assess their skills.
Hi Matthew,
Good discussion of how "extra credit or bonus points" can be used as effective learning devices. The connection to the real world is very important for the students and anything like this you can do to help with the connection is valued.
Gary
Sometimes, offering extra points, or bonus points, towards a test or project, for going above and beyond the requirements works to motivate students. Pointing out after the completion of the project, that some students earned extra points through their motivated work, and that employers usually reward such efforts with pay increases and promotions, relates the extra effort to the workplace. This makes the classroom setting more "real world".
By integrating my own life experiences into a lesson, and giving the students an opportunity to ask questions and get involved in discussions.
Hi Rehema,
Your tie back to the information the students gave about themselves at the beginning of the course to later assignments is excellent. This way they know you have been listening to them plus you are making the assignments relevant to their lives and career goals.
Gary
I always keep the material relevant to the students as a means of motivating them. On the first day of introductions as students are telling about themselves I am taking mental notes on their interests and why they are in school. I will make reference to their goals as I teach or assign a project, because the more relevant an assignment is to their immediate and long term goals the more likely they are to buy in..which stems from motivation.
Hi Avalokita,
I like your style. Having fun while learning is a way to keep the students focused and engaged in the learning process. I wish you the best in your efforts.
Gary
