Hi Jessica,
That connection between where they have been and why they are there is important. This gives you a frame of reference in terms of how to support your students. The more that we know the more accurate we can be in providing that support.
Gary
I try to find out what motivated them to come to college in the first place. I build on that and remind them of what they are here to accomplish.
Knowledge about their career goal and what skills they need to successful. They want to feel that they are invested in this career, instructors can help by explaining the content of a class in relationship to a future career.
Hi Shanon,
You make a good point about being careful not to cross the line between business and personal, but you are going to be fine because you recognize that you need to be careful. It is the instructor that doesn't realize that he/she can only share so much information that gets in trouble.
Gary
Students who believe that they can accomplish a task often have greater success. Instructors must find a way to help students recognize their own potential for success.
I also like "life " and/or "career" experiances, after 29 years and many additional education classes, however I know I have to be careful to not cross the line between "personal" an "business"
Factors that contribute to student motivation are twofold: students motivate themselves and others and instructors motivate students.
Students with a strong desire to learn or advance in their careers enter the class motivated. Their motivation can be sustained through their own personal methods as well as things the instructor and other class members do. If an instructor shows enthusiasm for the student, then chances are the student will remain motivated. Also, fellow students can motivate the student. Positive talk over coffee can keep a student focused on his/her goals.
Instructors who are enthusiastic about what they teach and about their jobs can motivate students. Students are quick to pick on an instructor's attitudes toward the school, toward his/her job, toward students, toward school policies, etc. As mentioned in the training, "Actions speak louder than words." I've always felt that teaching face to face is much like performing. We must always put our best foot forward because we are being observed from head to toe.
Also, instructors who provide meaningful learning activities can motivate students. I just read where a group of IU marketing students were headed to Minnesota to present a class project. What a great idea.
Motivation is something that needs daily attention from both the student and instructor.
Betsy
So true...even high school students can tell from a mile away when they have to do busy work.
Great examples...so nice that you can get these motivated students and that they have workplace examples to help motivate!
Factors that contribute to motivation are interest, relevancy, and passion for what they are doing.
I think a lot of motivation comes from self-efficacy... students must believe they are able to accomplish a goal in order to accomplish it.
Also, I think students are motivated when they know how and when to apply something they learned to other areas of their life. I always enjoy hearing how something I have taught has affected a student's relationship, class, or job performance.
The Harvard Business School video really gave me food for thought. Great teachers share four measurable skills. They:
1. Know their content/subject
2. Know their students
3. Create an environment where students feel safe to take risks (the teachers know themselves & their style)
4. Transcend the message
That's powerful and attainable!!
Beth
Hi Ron,
Well said. Not caring is catching so we, instructors cannot ever be seen as not caring.
Gary
There are many factors to student motivation. Some of these factors can be internal such as a desire to get good grades and perform to the best of his or her ability. However, the factors could be external such as they want a better life for themselves and/or their family. As an instructor we need to be able to try and determine a student's motivation so that we can build on it and strengthen them through class experiences.
I've found that my excitement and enthusiasim toward a topic can help motivate others. If I don't care, they won't.
the need to have a better quality of life for themselves and their family by obtaining an education to become more marketable in obtaining a job and meeting their goals
Various factors contribute to student motivation and some are easy to convey while others can be difficult.
Students can obtain non-verbal cues from the instructor including body language, tone of voice, etc... that can tell a student if an instructor is ready for the class lecture and also show the student their importance to the instructor through various motivational factors.
Some subject matters are difficult to comprehend and student rely on the instructor's excitement for the subject matter shown through their motivation when giving the lecture for the course.
Some students need a reason just to come to class, complete an assignment, or to even discuss various subjects and having an instructor that is excited for the course can be what it takes to create motivation in each student to continue in the course and continue their desire to learn.
Kim H.
Hi Barbara,
You make a number of excellent points about how to keep the motivation level high for your students. Yes, it does range from a simple "good job" to the more complex review of their work. Each one of these strategies helps the students to grow in their knowledge base and increase their desire to be successful in the course.
Gary
There can be a variety of factors that contribute to student motivation. When I have a new cohort of students, I ask the students what their reasons are for enrolling and completing the course. Quite often, I hear "to do something positive with my life", "to make a better life for my family", or "Ive always wanted to _____."
Then as the course progresses or when the student may be in a slump, I remind them of that motivating factor.
Now, with that being said, I also realize that I as an instructor and even their classmates can be a source of motivation. I give constructive criticism or feedback , encourage them to try even when they feel unsure of their skill or the accuracy of it. I tell them the only true failure is the failure to try and use that old adage: If at first you don't succeed, try,try again.
When the student does give a wrong answer or does a procedure incorrectly, I try to tell the student that while "you may not have done this step right or answered correctly- you did try and , you've shown a good effort or gave it some thought" and follow it up with some suggestion for improvement or understanding why it was incorrect- such as perhaps next time, you could try _____ and give some guidance.
And believe it or not, sometimes motivation is as simple as saying "good job", "nice try" and even putting a smiley face or some type of positive sticker on their papers.
A smile and geeting as well as calling them by name when meeting them outside of the classroom is very powerful for motivating them. Simply listening to them before and after class is also a great motivator.
Knowing their outside interests, or where they work, so you can have a base to begin a conversation from is also good.
