When I had back an assessment I will go over the assesment with the students and open the floor to any questions. I go over the questions and re-enforce the answers with explanitions. I also have students answer the questions presented in forum type of enviroment.
Paul,
Adults like reinforcement and encouragement. I teach approximately 500 graduate and undergraduate students a semester at a major land grant university. I know after having done this for many years that adults are just taller children. They do like stickers as well a treat now and then for a job well done.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One thing I do is put gold stars or motivational stickers on my student's work.
You might think that doing this in college is a bit puerile--but those students work hard to see that big gold star on their essay when they get it back.
Looking at everything they have done right when they are wiring up boards and then talking about what was wired inccorectly. Always looking at the strenght of the student, and adding too it. Class size is large and students want to tell me why they did what they did inccortly, I feel it takes up over all time, too work the class. I want to help all but there is a room full. How would you handle this?
Providing a positive learning environment is the leading contributor to motivating students to achieve their highest goals. Students need a positive support system even through times of difficulties, or especially through times of difficulties. Motivational speakers such as past graduates are also great assets to empower our students to achieve their own level of excellence.
Ronald,
These are powerful motivators because as we reach goals along the way that move us closer to our career we start to see the value of what we are studying and the skills we are developing. We need to remember this when we work with our students and contribute to their progress on their career path.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
positive reinforcement sharing experiences and active student class participation and keys to success.
So true, Career Goals helps us set priorities and stay motivated. Achieving these goals gives us a sense of ownership and pride. They help us recognize our strengths, and areas that need further development.
Ronald,
This does have a big impact on students because it helps them to personalize the content to themselves and their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe if we encourage students to provide their own motivation for getting things done rather than relying on us to motivate them makes a huge difference.
Ed,
Two great questions to get students contributing to the discussion because in almost every class there will at least one student that has such an experience or knows something about the topic. Thanks for sharing this strategy.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jeffrey,
Like this method because of the way you personalize this for them. You are connecting the dots between classroom and real life.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You need to know what makes your students tick. I believe the most powerful motivational technique is getting to know your students. This way you can draw from their life experiences scenarios which relate to the course material. This has been a proven technique for me. Another related technique is to pose the question " Who has experienced something like this". It works every time. Again drawing on the students background.
Rather than just grading projects or lab work and returning it, going over the work and the problems they may have had and explaining the results is one good way. Ar method I like to use is to tie in labs to their personal lives. We need to do a sketch one day? I have them go home and sketch their living room an dbring it i n the next day. They are far more motivated to do something tied to their personal life rather than a mock project.
Quetittia,
Passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in helping to engage students in the course content. Your comments are right on in that excitement is catching so we need to spread it around.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
D,
What value do these two activities contribute to your classes and students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have to agree with this post. I think that when I come in the class motivated The students tend to want to reciprocate my actions. Even if I was having a bad day! It is important to project good energy to my class!
Field trips and guest speakers.
DANIEL,
You are using a host of strategies that help the students to use their newly acquired knowledge, while resetting their brains and getting ready for the next topic to be introduced. Great work at keeping your students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to show as mush enthusiasm in the class as possible, as will as what some of their ideas or feelings on one of our projects might be. I will praise a right answer, or tell them good job whichever applies. I try to keep them motivated by stopping at points in my lectures and having little discussions to keep them interested, involved and contributors to the lesson.
