applying the current course knowledge to correct problems that are imputed into our labs, having former students share their success stories with the class
I am trying to help students visualize themselves in their respective careers. I give scenarios placing them in a potential future situation on the job. This helps motivate my students in looking forward to what great things are to come.
Hi Timothy,
Relevancy and application are two words that need to be a part of every lesson. Your comments of how you use both of these words in your lessons help to show students how they can be successful in their careers. Sometimes they get bogged down in the courses and forget to see they are learning for their future.
Gary
Provide good written and verabal feedback and encouragement.
If a student peaks or expresses interest in a certain topic then take the effort to help them discuss it or explore it further.
Do not use canned written comments for grading assignments.
In my classes, one of the best tools for motivation is to continually relate skills being learned to real-life advantages in the working world. For example, I often speak of how in office environments those with a greater mastery of business communications advance faster and further than students who lack in these areas. I point out that faster advancement means more job stability, and more importantly, greater pay and perqs that help their families realize better standards of living. As this is the ultimate goal of many of my adult learners this connection cements within them a desire to master the skill set under consideration. Tie it to the money -- it works every time!
I like to get different views on problems with multiple correct answers. I use this type of situation to encourage the students to learn from one another as well. If a younger student give a good answer I will as for an answer that is different and try to get an older student to weigh in. Giving the different perspectives allows the students and myself to stay away from getting closed minded in most situations.
I like to motivate through the use of positive feedback on assignments that is also specific (so, instead of just saying nice job, say why they did a nice job). I also like to motivate by discussing real world applicability for what we are learning in class.
I find that when students can see how far they've come since they started a course or a program, it helps them see how much they have learned in a short time and how close they are getting to the end. I also think that it's a nice motivator to have a little movie party at the end of a course if time permits, after the students have written their final exams. It gives them a break and they tend to get excited about the next course.
to bring in guest speakers from that field to show them how this class will impact their career
I use "the real world" as a motivator alot, tying what we leaned in class to how they will use it.
Hi Stacy,
I enjoy hearing about their life experiences as well. I am always amazed at how varied and extensive the life experiences my students have. Their experiences help make the classes richer.
Gary
Hi Benjamin,
Well said. Also, having been a middle school teacher I know where you are coming from. I figure if you can teach kids of this age all other teaching is a piece of cake.
Gary
Frequent constructive feedback that is encouraging to the student. Getting student to connect the material to their own real life experience helps motivate them to learn the material.
I too love hearing about my students’ life/work experiences in the class. I think it also encourages other students to participate as well
I agree very much with how wonderful it is when students are able to tie in their life/work experience with course material. I think it makes the class more personal to them and allows them to see the relevance of the course to their field of study and choice of occupation.
Some effective motivation techniques that I use are:
Positive Feedback
Personal attention
Letting students relate their life/work experience back into the course material
Offering Rewards
Motivating students to learn is a struggle that all teachers face.
Since I also teach middle school social studies it is the challenge I personally face everyday.
The truth is motivating students to learn is one of the key components of effective teaching AND classroom management.
If students are not motivated to learn then they are most likely not involved in the lesson and if they are not involved in the lesson they are much more likely to cause classroom management problems.
Therefore, it is critical for teachers to increase student motivation to learn and the best way to do this is for teachers to spark student interest at the beginning of every lesson.
Some effective motavation techniques are coming in to class early and greeting individul students. Encouraging students to participate in lecture. Teaching with excitment and positive energy!
This sounds like a great icebreaker too. I like the idea of showing the students something they can transfer to other areas of their lives.
In my experiences, I've often found that motivation through relevancy is very effective. Students become intrinsically motivated when they are able to understand how the topic will affect their professions. This is especially true in the career college setting.
