Reinforcement of topics covered can be used to movitivate when students are able to see the relevancy of the material covered in class. Also, reinforcement is sometimes needed to help a student grasp difficult concepts. Students are more postive and motivated when they overcome a bump in the road and can see the relevancy of the material covered.
Amy, I agree. I constantly try to reinforce the learning experience as have found it to be a very successful technique.
if you can point out what the changes are everyt tiem an activity is done. you can successfully show the learning process and how it works.
I tend to have a difficult time getting the student to understand that they are learning thriough the entire process... i cuurrently am dealing with students that say they are not learning anything =but yet at every impass and assesment they are excelling. when asked a question they may not always give the perfect answer but it is always a relevent one. Any ideas on hoe to boost their confidence
Hi Barry,
Well said. The key is helping the students to see the future and this is what was being done for you as a student. The teacher was making you a part of a vision quest that showed you what you could accomplish.
Gary
As much as we as teacher have to reinforce their performance and encourage them to advance in theis skill sets. Sometimes I find it even more important to reinforce the relevance of the project. Being from a poor part of the country, we demonstrated super-satruated solutions by making fudge and peanut brittle. Although I understood the topic, and the information my teacher explained that even in the most simple kitchen a real grasp on solutions could be the difference in making something for a church social and making an enterprise out of it. And when you have to wonder if your students may finish middle school, that can be a powerful idea.
Hi Debbie,
Good sequence of knowledge and skill acquisition reinforced at each step. This will really help with student knowledge retention.
Gary
In my class, a student is first given a lecture which provides history/background, then a demonstration to further illustrate. Next the student produces the demonstrated technique. Then, they are also given an opportunity to build further on the basic concept/technique. Finally they are required to evaluate the outcomes of the other students.
By the time they reach the last level they are encouraged and motivated by the variety of outcomes based upon one concept. These ideas are then reproduced in some form or other as the class progresses.
Hi Connie,
Positive feedback helps to keep students engaged and focused on the course and their personal goals. You make a good point about how they expand their motivation level when they see the progress they are making.
Gary
Positive feedback through encouraging words on their performances helps students daily each and all. When a student feels he is learning the skills he or she needs for the career they have chosen are motivated to keep going and accomplish even more.
Hi Anthony,
Right you are. This format really does increase the retention of content and helps with application by students.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
Positive reinforcement is an awesome technique to use. This technique builds the "team " feeling, and it sometimes catches like wild fire and soon most, if not all of the class is on board.
I was a student myself once and really did not get much of this. I did not really experience it until I was at my second shop. Once I started working with this, I noticed that my attitude and productivity began to raise very quickly.
If we are to apply this to our students, on a regualar bassis, it could possibly lead to faster, and more productive learning for the students.
Students always enjoy positive comments as a means to maximum performance. Reinforcement to help clarify helps students to succeed individually and in group effort. The approach should be applied in a manner that is conducive to learning and understanding.
I think reinforcement is key especially in my field. When a recipe or a dish is demonstrated by the instructor then student produces it themselves, it is reinforced by the student doing or repeating the recipe that same day. Then the instructor critiques the work, the reinforcement continues visually and verbally. The student will understand the reinforcement and accept it 90% of the time.
Students are timid and at best reluctant to use the knowledge that they have gained from other classes. It seems that they are unsure about how to apply the information. Using examples of where and when to use certain techniques and situation that have worked in past are most effective at reinforcing student and enabling them to loosen up a bit. Everyone is affraid to make a mistake. No one wants to look foolish in the eyes of their peers. Setting a professional atmosphere and using an approach that validates and confirms rather than scrutinize and criticize makes student want to come to class and get involved in the learning process. I make a pact with my students that no matter what they are unsure of when they come to my class I will do everything in my power to make sure that they fully understand. Although all of the student do not take advantage of this it has proven to be great place to start.
It is used in my world to show the student I care and I am listening to you. It also boosts their self esteem.It screams you are getting your monies worth from me.they appreciate me, and I do genuinely care about each one of them.I also tell them quite often that I am proud of them,especially after difficult tasks.
I can't agree with you more. I always ask my class if they were able to ride a bike the first time they tried or do anything perfect the first time they tried. The answer is always no.So I ask them why they think they should be able to ice a cake and decorate perfect the first time. I tell them I have had 30 years to practice what I teach and still there are times that I feel I could do better. So just keep tryin and practicing and don't give up. It seems to work.
Positive reinforcement shows a student that you recognize their efforts and are invested in their success.
Hi Mark,
You are right about the need for application. Students need to see relevancy and application to course content. If they don't they will quickly disconnect from the course and you the instructor. The more we can do in this area the more our students will be engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Hi Gary;
Students are traditionally motivated by grades first, but acquiring knowledge and skills that build on experience starts the process for career education students. Passing quizes and tests doesn't provide the applicaton experience. By openning up to students for discussion, topic information is reinforced by students seeking to join in. Sometimes I need to close my lectures early as I see students losing interest. An in-class activity to attempt to see how much they all ready knew or may be learning from reading, homework, and lectures, provides and oppurtunity for students to speak about the topics and obtain a better reinforcement.
Mark
Hi Melanie,
The point value assigned to the specific projects need to reflect the effort required to successfully complete the assignment. I agree with you about the larger projects getting larger assigned points and for smaller projects lower point values.
The key is to award sufficient points to keep the interest of students and have them feel their were awarded adequate points in relation to effort. It is a balancing act that we need strive to find to keep our students engaged and forward focused in their learning.
Gary
