Denise,
I use games as well. The students really work hard to earn a prize when they are playing Family Feud or Jeopardy. Keep in mind that adults are just taller children.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Antonio,
This is not only teaching but also entertaining thus the term edutainment. This gets the attention of students and shows your passion for what you are teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having successful graduates of the program return to speak with a class of new students gives the new students the ability to see how hard work and motivation can make you successful.
Making learning fun and constantly asking them question to make them think will help them keep focus during lecture is what I have found out works for my classes. Even adding games.
I find high energy to be my most effective motivational technique. My students love it when I'm animated and running around the room.
Kim,
We all like to walk into a setting that is pleasant to be in and is supportive of why we are there. This is why it is important to make sure our classrooms and labs are clean, neat and ready to receive students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a clean and well organized environment as well as a set of goals for each day with flexibility to change if needed to expand on a learning opportunity that may not have presented itself previously.
Anthony,
Yes we do. We work hard on the mechanics of teaching and sometimes forget about the human factor in teaching. Both are critical and needed for learning success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
this is nice to know because most of the time we focus on just the class work and lectures.
thank you. As a new instructor I like to see what other instructors are doing
Jarred,
Good way to reinforce them and keep them engaged. They like to know when they have done a good job and are recognized by their learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to always tell my students how well of a job they did after they do well on a task that I assign them. Because they don't hear me say it often I feel it gives them a sense of accomplishment when they do good because their looking to me for recognition.
Mary,
Like your style. This is what being an instructor of merit is about and you reflect such through these items. Keep up your effort because you are impacting the lives of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The motivators my students seem to appreciate the most are:
1) Frequent and timely feedback - all assignments are returned by the next class day.
2) My enthusiasm for math - they seldom see enthusiasm for math elsewhere!
3) Activities that involve relevant content and get them moving, gathering data, analyzing, and applying information.
4) Rewards! I bring in homemade treats, such as cookies that have their names written out in icing.
Alan,
This is key connection to make and you are doing it with your approach. The more students can be shown relevance and application of course content the more value they associate with it and realize the purpose of them being enrolled in school.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I use work experiences related to the material being covered as a way to show relevance of the topic to the work the students are doing and/or will be doing.
Jennifer,
This is a sign of respect for students and in turn earns their respect. They see you care enough about them to learn their names quickly and this is a sign that you are there to help them be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Quickly learning the student's name, explaining how a particular concept or technique will be used in the new career, and providing timely feedback are all examples of effective motivation techniques.
Brian,
Students really like hearing these stories and examples. They help the students to see the relevance and application of the content being covered and increases their investment in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I see that sharing some of my successes and failures in the career field has motivated my students to see the importance of the lesson I teach.
