Hi Melinda,
This is so true. They have to see the connection between now (school) and the future (their careers). If they can capture this vision they will be more excited about their studies and school.
Gary
I agree totally with this statement.
One of the best motivators is for the students to see value in all the time they are spending to get the degree. Real life examples relative to the study can give that value. Showing examples, including your own, of successes within the field can be a very positive motivator.
Through my experience, real world knowledge in a classroom environment for a career college student is essential to motivation. It is important that the instructor has a foot in the field they are studying to remain up to date on the industry and to be credible in the eyes of the student.
Hello everyone.
I motivate students in the classroom by providing course examples, real world examples and giving feedback. Also I ask the student to share thier examples and "war stories" this all helps motivate the class to see they are working towards one goal of getting a job in thier dream field in the workplace.
Some of the techniques I use is allowing students to be the teacher and lead the class in discussion. It is wonderful to see how well they engage when the eyes are on them.
That's so true, I see it in our classroom as well.
I agree, if the students knows that a set of skills or techniques is going to be used on a daily basis in their new career they are going to be more focused on achieving perfection on those skills.
Great examples come students that are either working on project, or have a job that is in the area of instruction. That student then relate with the rest of the class how the content is helping them achieve their goal and in turn show the rest of the class the validity of the material.
one the mottivation technique that i found effective is to make the students participate in the lecture and share their own experience and how this has help him/her.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the list. It is what we instructors should be all about.
Gary
Yes, many older learners often have experiences that are great for learning objectives.
Great point! I should have allowing students to contribute to the course to my list. Contribution allows the student to have ownership and investment in the course.
Motivating students can include:
Enthusiasm about what is being taught
Understanding and actually caring about the students
Providing support
Listening
Being Student Centered
useing happy heart felt stories about you working in the feild and the good times and the not so good times will give then a sense of connecting
Anything that can keep or redirect the attention of the student-- It would vary depending on the subject matter and the personality of the instructor. it may be a game, a crossword puzzle, or even a discussion about something that may be of interest to the students and just marginally course specific.
Hi Lucy,
I understand your comments about the current group of students you have and feeling that competition isn't the way to go with them. This is the sign of a good instructor because you are "reading" each class and making adjustments in order to meet their individual needs. Great job!
Gary
I find that applying the concepts the student is learning in class to real life situations actually motivates the student! They really try hard to grasp the concepts and apply it to their own personal life.
I guess it depends on the class but educational games are very effective!
In Accounting Principles 1, I had the students play monopoly. They had fun with it. Every transaction had to be journalized and it worked really well with this intro class. With my Accounting Principles 2 class I would have to get more creative. I have tried to find games on the internet, but haven't ran accross anything yet. With the group of students I have in this class, I don't think a competition would be the right way to go.
Thank you for your reponse, it was helpful.
