Motivation Techniques
What are some examples of effective motivation techniques that career college instructors can use in their classes?
An instructor can ask students to share a life experience they have and how it relates to the course topic.
For Intro to Business, I coach my students on writing a research paper that appeals to their interests and business. The topics are all across the board, but the students seem to really enjoy the fact that they can write something that appeals to their lives.
Motivation techniques are beneficial when the student feels appreciated and heard. I make sure to personally greet every student so that they feel that they can come to me at any time during their course duration. I think by knowing I am available to them it motivates them to work ahead so they can ask questions.
I like to create learning "labs" or exercises that reinforce the day's lecture, and give students a chance to experiment with the tools shown and described.
Deadlines can be a very important motivation technique– Students are most productive right before a big deadline. They also have a hard time focusing until that deadline is looming overhead. Using this to your advantage by setting up a series of mini-deadlines building up to an end result.
UTI has students from all over the country, they bring many different life experiences and cultural differences that may bennifit the entire group.
I too greet my students before every class,but what really seams to modivate them is to let them know that we can do extra hands on labs in class, this really motivates them to learn.
I like the fact that you personally greet every student and spend a minute or 2 with them. Most of my classes are small enough that I can do this. Even when I have a larger class, I can be available a few minutes before and after each class to talk with as many students 1 on 1 as possible. I like to try to get to as many students as possible.
