I make sure that everyone knows what is expected. I embrace my field and make sure that I bring that to the classroom. I treat each student as an individual. I ask questions during open lab to reinforce what they have learned so far, and the whys.
I can always be enthusiastic, show empathy, and relate the material to students in which they will remember it and apply it. I can create a learning atomosphere that the student enjoy!
Take genuine and personal interest in the success of students. Push their strengths and help them believe in themselves.
I like to immerse my students in real life settings, its one thing for me to teach but I believe very important for them to see, visually and understand the real world happening. I plan many trips to actual business settings that relate to my course and my students love this!
Rory,
Instructors play a number of different roles throughout a course. We need to be aware when our students need encouragement, support and mentoring. All of these roles help our students move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have used some of the same things that you are talking about. Setting goals at the bigger class is important because this helps a student to see that we are going in a particular direction. At the end of class I always asked students what have you learned today and it has had real good result. I also have to do sometimes be a mentor to some of those who were never shy or are not willing to participate.
The students have the need to see that the instructor are really motivated about the field and the class , that's the first step, second we can use the media during lecture in order to keep the attention .
Nathaniel,
Right you are. Simple yet powerful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The only answer I can give you is, when you love what you do and what to share your experience, it will be heard in your voice and its delivery.
Enthusiasm, getting everyone involved or to participate and keeping the "changing it up" when I see that something isn't working, keeps me motivated.
A couple of ways we can become a motivating instructor is to build a professional relationship with the students, allow the student to see themselves through the lectures, relate to their success and offer positive guides or leads to meet their goals.
Mohammad,
A simple truth that all instructors need to remember. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructor is the leader,he must motivate the student, otherwise he can not teach.
When demonstrating passion about the topic, students tend to be more motivated. They to will develop passion if they are in the right career field. But the instructor needs to be a mentor so the students want to excel
Dellene,
Excitement and enthusiasm are two big sellers of learning for students. They can "catch" both from you as you share your content with them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I come to class ready and excited about teaching everyday---that is what I am here for not just a paycheck and the students can tell when you love your job. That is when they want to be like you so they try harder. I mix it up and try new things all the time to keep it fresh. Sometimes, we will play a game or do a project in teams--something new all the time.
I agree in not using test as the ultimate measure of success. I use homework, quizes and tests as a measure of the students understanding of the material presented. If after a poor result, the student makes an effort to better understand the material, I will allow a redo with some restrictions on the maximum grade that they can get. So far they appreciate the chance for improvement and request extra help sometimes at the time the work is turned in.
I set goals for the students at the beginning of the session. I follow up with students if they are falling behind, especially in their assignments.
Sometimes just my personal story or the stories of other instructors and show the students that regardless of the situation and what other people try to put in thier heads. Instructors not only have to teach the course but sometime have to realighn the thinking of the students.
Tena,
You have given us instructors a lot of good information about how to encourage, support and motivate our students. All of these efforts contribute to their progress and the end result as you mention, GRADUATION! That is what it is all about and it is great to be a part of making it happen.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
