Freda,
You have a very supportive and comfortable approach to your classroom and this is what students desire to have. Keep up the effort you are putting forth to connect with each of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Andrew,
"Ah ha" moments are what most of us teachers live for. They are motivating not only for the students but for us as well because we get to share the moment of enlightenment with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One effective motiviation technigue is to know the students...their names, their major, even a little about their family! I also like to offer a chance at a bonus point or two every day.
One favorite motivational technique is having the student experience the moment. The moment is the "ah ha" and that to me is the foundation of layering motivation.
Ryan,
Humor is a powerful teaching tool and when combined with application to the field you have a winning formula for helping the students to internally see the value of being in school and working toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ryan,
I like your list of motivation techniques. They all contribute to student engagement as well as increase focus on the content being delivered. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tara,
This is a great way to get everyone involved because as you say everyone has experiences upon which they can call if given the opportunity. The resulting sharing of these experiences reinforces the motivation of the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to tell funny stories about situations in my field to show that the career they chose is not just work. The stories will come from the subject we are discussing.
Some techniques i use to retain students; stess the importance of every class and what is discussed, keep the material interesting, show my enthusiasm about the subject to lead by example, changing pace or class work when class is beginning to drag, making labs for subjects instead of lecture to make the material more tangible, and of course mentoring students who might be struggling to determine what can be done to help them.
I like to use work experiences-- of any type-- and relate it to the medical field. Almost everyone has had positive and negative moments with co-workers, managers, clients or professionals. An example of a working at a drive through at McDonalds can be used as an example of communication, teamwork and customer relations. Everyone can have imput.
Anthony,
Good way to encourage them to stay in school and keep their focus on their future. They need to be encouraged to see the opportunities that will come their way upon graduation. For many students it is a matter of daily encouragement due to the external influences they face to drop out. Success requires effort to fail requires nothing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One technique that I use with students that are feeling like they want to quit is by asking them why they came to school. I usually get the typical response of for my kids, my wife or I want a better life. I tell them that no one will be able to take this knowledge away from them and all the people telling them they cant do it are just jealous. For them to remember how impressed their love ones will be on graduation day.
Teresita,
So true. Our name is one of the most valuable things we have and to have someone, like an instructor to recognize and use it means that I am someone special in the class. This is the human factor in education as well as a motivator for the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Addressing students by their name gives them the impression that they are important and live up to that name. It is awkward to point or say "you" to the student because it makes them non-existent as a person. Knowing their name establishes rapport at once.
Jennifer,
Thank you for sharing this exercise with us. It can be applied in any class and the results as you say are informative as well as fun for the students to review.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rochelle,
I use graduates frequently in my classes because they really motivate students. The students see themselves in these successful graduates so they really listen and apply what they say.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree that getting to know your students is crucial. At the beginning of each of my classes, I have the students do a short quick writing that explains why they are in my program and what their goals for the class are. This is not only a great way for me to get to know them, it's always fun to look back on at the end of the term.
Terie,
I think you have a very good approach to a course that many students perceive as not having the value of courses in their field. The more you can demonstrate to them, like the videos how effective communication can assist them in their career development the more value they will see in what you are offering.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Patricia,
This point needs to be made over and over. Immediate feedback as the instructor defines it is so important for keeping the interest of students. By knowing with a short turn around how they did on a project or quiz students can make sure they make any adjustments needed to be able to proceed successfully in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
Students as you know love hearing stories from the field. The stories help the students to connect with the content being shared and increases their perception of the value of it as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
