Student motivation = students, dreams/passions/desires. I think the more you know and understand each students reason for pursuing their particular career choice, the more you encourage and support their reason, the more enthusiasm you share with them (and for them) the more motivated they will stay. They, also, have to believe, and be supported, that those goals/dreams are attainable.
When the instructor shows motivation it gives the students a boost, encouragement, a goal, incentive, momentum, & impulse. Motivation is a stimulant!!
One way to motivate students is to keep the class intresting and simple from the first Day to the last day of the course. For Example, when I lecture I use simple internet articles as an examples that support my lecture. This way it makes them dig more articles from the internet and share with us the next.
Edward,
You make a number of very good points concerning motivation and reinforcement. Reality is that everyone makes mistakes. Learning from these mistakes is what makes us better at what we do. Also, with the entitlement culture we have today with many of our students they feel that because they pay tuition they are entitled to an A. Receiving an earned D or F can be an eyeopener for them but that is real life and in the long run will show them how they can be successful through failure and increased effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Motivation does not necessarily have to be an immediately pleasurable experience. For example, giving students a quiz for which they have to write their answers, as opposed to selecting answers from a multiple choice list, will reveal which students need to study more. Receiving a D or an F on a quiz often motivates students to begin studying hard for the test, which is the important grade. Later, the student will feel pleasure at her good test grade and the information she has learned, even though she was fearful and anxious before the test (which motivated her to study).
This kind of motivation cannot be the exclusive method of motivation, nor should it be constant, unless you are teaching students who are very dedicated and competitive. The students also need to have ample opportunities to ask questions, seek clarification, and improve their grades through additional work.
Debra,
Experience helps to "sell" the content in addition to giving it value. These personal examples show the students how they will use what has just been covered. This gives relevancy to what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is good to bring "experience" into the classroom, it kind of gives the students a vision on what to expect, what could happen and some humor that was at my expense.
John,
Right you are. It is a building process and we need to help our students to see the value of the content that is being offered. Once they see the ROI they become more engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The instructors excitement of the topic or field, and there expertise. the instructor energy that they have about the the new knowledge the are presenting.
Students are motivated to work for rewards. In business management they hope to get a high-paying job.
If the subject material builds in a systematic way or is linked, they will be more interested.
They want to move on but frequently need reinforcement. The reinforcement drills or material needs to be presented as different or they will lose interest. It needs to build on what was learned previously.
I try to plant "seeds" of how my course will benefit them as they are learning this new field by giving real world examples of its application.
Michael,
You have listed the profile and challenges of most of my students as well. It is easy to fail because then you can blame everyone but yourself. So the more success we can help them achieve based upon their own effort the higher their motivation is going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The number one factor for my students is monetary. Some are motivated by a history of failure and their desire to end that. Many of them are trying to change their life after having served time; these have been the biggest success stories, unfortunately some of the worst collapses as well. Family is also a big factor.
Michael,
Good strategy that is used over time since you revisit it with them later on in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have the students share their motivation and take notes while they share. Later in the term I will remind them of their reasons for being here.
Cynthia,
This is why we need to bring our A game to the classroom each time we teach. If we aren't excited them it is for sure our students won't be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Student motivation is greatly influenced by his instructor. The instructor's enthusiasm and excitement for the subject matter is contagious to his students! Although there are many factors that influence a student's motivation, I really feel that the instructor's attitude toward his subject is a major contributor!
Samuel,
Students like variety and change of pace. By doing so you are going to be able to engage the students and keep their focus.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In the classroom reinforcement, comradery, application, success, and positive experiences can all motivate a student to continue in the learning environment. Outside of the classroom the student may be self-motivated or motivated by family, friends, need. These are just some of many possible motivators for students.
I agree. I teach in trades. I have to use many differant methods to enguage all my students. Some things work for some students. Others I have to take a differant approch.
