A student may be motivated by many things. Some examples:
- Family or the need to care for others
- Encouragement from friends or other supports
- A teachers belief in the student
- Money/success
- Love of learning
- Desire to help others
- Desire to "be more"
These are all things that contribute to the student's motivation. However, some negative factors can influence the motivation in a negative way. For example, family and friends want to go out and do things when the student needs to complete an assignment; a teacher belittles a student and demotivates them; political impact in their field, etc.
We work hard to identify the positive motivators, and elminiate the negative ones.
KJ
Kimberlee,
Students like examples and stories about their field. These stories help to make real the content you are sharing plus they motivate the students because they can see themselves in their future careers.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
There are many factors that contribute to student motivation. First, and foremost, the reason why they are in the class. As stated in this entire module, there are different motivating factors and the instructor needs to find out that motivating factor in order to assist the student in reaching their goal(s). Other motivating factors include the learning environment, generation, values and, to some extent, culture. A great instructor understands all of these and identifies what motivates each student.
By sharing examples of real-life experiences in a particular career field in order to keep the focus on the long-term goal.
James,
As a role model you need to present yourself as a successful member of your profession. This gives the students an example they can follow in their own development.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that motivating students is all about how you present yourself to them. If you go into class and your not motivated yourself how do you expect the students to be motivated. It starts with the teacher or instructor. I think we have to have a positive attitude and present yourself in a good way.
I feel if a student sees your excitement in the field and you use real life testimonies of being in the field, it will keep them motivated to be able to do what you are telling them! Keep it positive and exciting!
when the students see that the instructor is enthused, excited, and full of energy, the students will be twice as much; remembering that we set the pace for everything in our class
Factors that contribute to student's motivation include empathy, caring, excitement, expertise, and relating to a student in that place where common ground can be found. I have had many ah ha moments with students just discussing a topic. There is a time when we both discover something that is a common factor to both of us. We are able to further the discussion and build on it. I have seen great improvement in many students when I take the time to explain a topic or concept one on one when the student is struggling.
Factors that contribute to student motivation include a sense of achievement, fulfillment of a dream and celebrating their successes.
Many career college students have had limited achievements in their lives (or so they think). As an instructor, I need to help them identify what they have done well in the past and to show them how to use those successes to build their future.
Most students have a dream of creating a better life for themselves and their families but have a fear of failure. Another of my missions is to drive fear out of the classroom and demonstrate that failure is not an end but an opening to a new beginning.
Finally, most students have not been successful in their past academic endeavors so we have to celebrate their successes no matter how small or trivial they may seem to us as instructors. Little things like putting stickers on their papers when you return them make the student smile and celebrate.
Daniel,
Connecting the dots between content and application is important. Your approach is doing just that. You are making your content real for them in a number of different ways.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jessica,
This is a good point and one we need to remember. Why are they there and how does the course content relate to their career goals. This will help you to target your instruction and move them toward their goals.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students are motivated, and become engaged or involved when a lesson can fulfill their feelings, values, interests, needs, and the like. Students also tend to become more motivated when they can become engaged in a lesson. When asked to simply sit and stare at a dry lecture, that is when motivation diminishes. when students can either perform activities, become part of the discussion, participate in group activities, and generally become active participants in some realm, they tend to be more motivated. Students are also more motivated if, and when, the lesson involves something the studnets find interesting (to which they can relate from past experiences or for the career which they are actually attending class).
I find it important to help them identify their motives for being there and reinforce their decision with positive affirmations and revisit the subject often.
Eric,
Right on with what helps to motivate students. Enthusiasm is catching when the instructor brings it into the classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If you are beleivable, understanding and compitent. You have to she the students that you know what you are teaching, that you care about them learning and will be there to help them learn it.
Guerda,
Excellent point and one that all instructors need to keep in mind each time they step into a classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sincerity is important when motivating students, commenting honestly and with an open mind contributes to the instructors attempt to motivate students.
My students seem to enjoy when the entire group receives a compliment and that motivates them all to want to continue to do well on the next assignment. If I give them a fairly easy assignment and they all do well, compliment them as a group, then follow with a more difficult assignment...I find they are more up for the challenge and the majority do well with the more difficult assignment that follows.
David,
Good strategies for engaging the different levels of students you have in your courses. You are customizing your instruction based upon individual student need with this approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
