Clemon,
What are the results you have seen from using group assignments and field trips with your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
group assignments, field trips
reviewing skills, assessment
Tina,
This is a very good approach and it enables students to look ahead to where they are going to be when they graduate. Tying their course content to their potential income opportunities helps to make the course more valuable to them and increase their engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
David,
This prompt feedback goes a long way in keeping students engaged. I commend you for making this effort a reality and providing the students the feedback in a way that helps them know where they are in the course and what they need to do to maintain or improve their standing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Effective techniques that a college instructor can use in their classroom is having the students become completely involved in a class exercise.
In my Health Information's System I gave student the numerous types of job they will be able to obtain after completing their education. As the instructor I began giving student different exercise to prove that they will be able to complete these jobs. The student now continue to ask if they are able to do another type of exercise.
Letting the students understand what they are learning will benefit them in the work environment is a great example of motivation technique for an instructor.
I always grade students exams and PowerPoints within 3 days of submission. I also provide comments with energy and enthusiasm which will resonate with them beyond the specific class I am teaching.
Kellie,
Amazing how things like this work! Remember adults are just taller children. I have students that will work very hard to earn a piece of candy or smiley face. The key is that they get recognition for their accomplishments.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
High fives, Certificates of completion, field trips
When the instructor in motivated, the students are motivated. Having energy and being excited about the topic sends those motivation vibes to the students as well. In addition, other motivators can include: awards such as perfect attendance and honors list, recognition when doing well on an exam, quiz or homework, and ending the class with a "cliff hanger" getting them excited to come back to class.
praise student
teach with excitement
having good enthusiasm
KENNETH,
All good ideas for getting students engaged in the learning process. The more engagement the more excitement and this increases retention.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
hi
An instructor might ask has an one had any experience with the challenge that is be discussed?
The instructor might ask does have a different perspective of an appropriate solution to the challenge under discussion?
The instructor might ask does everyone agree with the purpose solutions that we have discussed?
Gerardo,
Both of these strategies are great for motivating students and helping them to see the value of the course content. Exposure to these individuals and sites make the all important connection to the real world.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ron,
I use such folks in my class as well. They are great motivators because they tell it like it is. The students start to see as a result of their speaking that what is being taught has relevance to them and their career development. Great motivators for the students since they are role models.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I get guest speaker in the criminal justice field and also take students in field trips.
I like to get individuals from the workforce to speak to the students. This gives the students an opportunity to ask questions as to what they will be doing once they graduate.
Paul,
Your strategy is a good motivator for your students. They need to see the connection between the course they are in and their career development. By helping them to translate this information into their future earnings you are helping the course to become real in their lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructors can relate the elements of the learning objectives to the requirements in job descriptions of positions students hope to achieve after they graduate.
A brief exercise in searching local job boards can help in this regard. Students can look at job postings and see that the learning objectives are mentioned.
Sometimes using one or two words from the learning objectives can reveal many jobs that include those words in their job descriptions. Looking at the highest paying salaries in those positions can also be motivating to students.
Cenek,
Timely feedback is so important to students as it shows them that they have a supportive instructor as well as where they are in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
