During the interview process, we get a pretty good idea of why that student is taking the challenge of returning to school. We talk about what their past experiences were like and how they learn best. From there, the instructor can gear their teaching to best suit that student.
We have small class sizes of no more than 15 in a class, so for us it is relatively easy to do.
Hi Michael,
Another good idea. Anthing we can do keep our students focused on the "real" reason they are there. As you mentioned it is not only for themselves it is for their families as well.
Gary
Most career college students are in school to improve their lot for themselves and or their family. I have had students who are starting to falter paste a picture of their family or themselves onto a 3x5 card and write on it the goals they want to achieve. I ask them to paste copies of it in a few prominent places at home and inside their textbook covers. This way they are reminded, when the think they want to give up, of the reason -what motivated them- they enrolled in the first place.
Make sure they understand the you support them. Let them know when they have done well yet at the same time when they don't achive the goals offer ideas on how they might on the next try. Work with them.
Hi Margaret,
What a great list! I am sure your students enjoy their classes with you. You have developed a list of techniques that not only helps you to be an excellent instructor, I hope you share it with others as well.
Gary
I am a medical instructor. Here are some techniques that have worked for me and my students.
1. Be enthusiastic and it will be transmitted to the students.
2. Be realistic with a sense of humor.
3. Love what you teach and students will feel your passion and respond in a positive manner.
4. Use different methods of content delivery.
5. Provide alternate methods of testing. After lecturing, students were given clay to reproduce a nerve cell for grading. They enjoyed this test after the shock wore off.
6. Clearly explain why a topic, activity, or assingment is important and worthwhile.
7.Always give students individual recognition and positive support.
Hi Andres,
Great approach. You have brought the students into the learning process and engaged them in skill acquistion. This is what it is all about.
Gary
Hello Gary,
I find that the best thing I can do to motivate my students throughout the course is to show them, as they are performing the assigments that they are doing the very things that will be required of them in the field. When they do this successfully, I let them know that they have performed the task in a way consistent with the real world expectations, and they get a real feeling of empowerment.
Andrés
Hi Cari,
We all like to feel appreciated and you are doing this in a way that is individual for each student. I think this is a great approach. You are also recognizing the difference that each student is brining to the class. It helps to create rapport with each student and that leads to retention, which is what we all want. Program completers. We want them to have a successful career as a result of the influence we have had on their learning.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
I know this sounds juvenile in an adult setting, but I buy little note cards and make sure every student gets at least one from me expressing how happy I am that they are in my class and stating a particular quality that they will be bringing to enhance the field. Everyone has something unique about them that really shines and it is motivating to acknowledge their strengths and watch them GLOW!
Hi Les,
You are right on target with the non-traditional learners. They must see how what relevancy to what is being taught. They also like immediate use of newly acquired knowledge. Learn and then apply helps them to understand why they are in school and working as hard as they are.
Gary
I find many students, especially non-traditional learners, live for the moment. They like to know or hear about what is happening right now. Using current events that apply or relate to their area of study as a class openning motivates them for the rest of the day. It stimulates discussion. There are many possible motivators. Finding the right one changes from class to class.
Hi Jim,
Good use of your graduates. Students always like to hear about the successes of those that have gone on before them. It makes their training seem more real and relevant.
Gary
I have had former students who are now working in our field come into my classroom and explain to the current class what they have experienced after finishing the course.
It usually shows the current class how the material they are learning now will benefit them in the real world.
Hi Anthony,
You are correct about constant and immediate feedback and reinforcement for students. It is like the old saying asking "how do you eat an elephant?' "one bite at a time" . If an instructor heaps praise upon a student the first day and then never comments again on anything done by the student the rest of the phase then the student will drift away from the focus of the course.
Be sincere and on time with praise, support and compliments and students will enjoy their success via the support of the instructor.
Gary
It is my experience in the Technical schools that students that receive positive reinforcement on a daily bases regardless of the size of the task, develops a growing motovation in that student for more postive reinforcement and thus a greater sense of motovation.
Hi John,
This group type of project engages more students and allows them to have input in the learning process. I use group projects and case studies extensively in my classes with good success. These methods help the sudents to become a part of the learning community as well as developing them individually.
Gary
One method I have seen work in a Technical School, is to have Students to build a dynamic Training Aid. If properly administered, it creates entusiasm. The criteria established is: Learning...Priority 1
Goal Oriented....finished product is clearly established.
Students are properly assisted throughout project.
Recognition to Students when complete.
Let me know if anyone has tried this method.
Thank you, John
Hi Josefer,
Good idea. Exposing new instructors to a variety of teaching styles helps them with developing their own. Most instructors teach as they have been taught simply because they don't know any other way. This is not to say their previous experiences are bad it just means that more exposure provides more choices.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
One of the things that we try to do with new instructor is similar to your mentoring program. Once a new instructor has completed a more formal new instructor training, they are required to sit in the classroom of 5 different instructors (as assigned by the Program Directors or the Director of Education) and write a brief report about what they learned in each class.
This method allows the instructors to see several different approaches to great teaching.
Josefer
