Showing the students your success in their field of study. Most students look up to instructors and want to be where we are someday. Identifying with them and showing them that you were once where they are now and the path to your success ids the same road they are traveling now can really help keep the student motivated. It shows the students you unerstand what they are going through to get there and you know what it is like to walk in their shoes.
Motivation comes in all forms. In order to be a great motivating instructor, you must build rapport with the students and gain trust. When they see you care it will be easy to motivate and promote learning.
Hi Anne,
I agree with you concerning the use of humor in the classroom. People like to laugh and though laughter there is a release that occurs in the brain. A laugh in effect is a mini-break in the learning process, yet the laugh can be targeted to the subject being discussed. You mentioned sanitation as being a boring topic that can generate laughs. I would imagine that you have many many examples of sanitation issues that can generate a laugh, make a point and allow the students to make progress in their learning. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I find that at a good way to motivate my students is to get them to laugh at least once through out the day. I'm not saying I try out a stand up comic routine with them, but many students stay awake and attentive if they feel as if they have a little entertainment. Many aspects of things we teach can be very dry, such as sanitation, typically not think of as a funny topic but being able to be just a little goofy at times keeps my students involved and activly invovled in discussions. I think as a good intructor we have to be able to poke fun at ourselves a little as well. Students need to be able to relate to the instructor as an individual and not just a voice behind the curtain,and humor is the way works best for me.
Hi Kimberly,
An instructor plays a number of roles and one of them can be a cheerleader for the course and for the students. Excitement is catching and we need to remember that each time we enter the classroom.
Gary
As an instructor if you begin motivating factors the first day and continue it through out the time you have the student they will succeed, JUST SAY SIMPLE THINGS LIKE " great job: "I knew you could do it" trust me it works.
Sharing the good, bad and the ugly with my students and emphasizing the rewards in everything.
have an upbeat or positive attitude, be encouraging,and open minded to different learning styles.
Wow, I really like that one. I had to do something like that but more extensive in Grad school. I really enjoyed it. I am sure my students would as well.
Passion and enthusiasm are important motivators for instructors. I use current events in my statistics class to show students how we are applying mathematical knowledge to develop a conclusion using inferential statistics. At first, they could not understand the reason why they had to learn so many formulas. It is the excitement in their eyes when they can apply some of these methods to their science or writing projects.
My students often comment on my enthusiasm for English/communications. They get a little more excited about it when I am and when I can show them how much communication matters to the work place. I also practice empathy--but I am consistent. What concessions I make for one, I make for all. Above all, I try to be clear with both my expectations and with my presentation of the material.
I have been blessed in my career to have lived and worked in 23 different countries and have held various administrative and academic posts in medical schools. My field of study - and career - has served me well, and I continue to be excited about it and about sharing it. I failed retirement six years ago, and now delight in teaching at a different - and in many ways more rewarding - level of education. My best motivator is be myself, show enthusiasm for my subject and topic, and have some fun.
I agree. I've seen this over the years. Most of my students feed from my excitement.
It is important to remember that every response of yours is seen and heard by other students. So consistency is key, as well as remembering the points mentioned here.
Hi Erie,
I like to be around people that have passion for their work and want to share that passion with others. Keep your passion level high and your students will benefit from your excitement level. This is what being a teacher is all about.
Gary
when you see the excitement in the students eyes it is the most wonderful experience for me as an instructor.
I agree that passion is very important in motivating students. I have been in healthcare for over forty years and know that I would not do it were it not for the passion that I have to take care of people. My students feel my passion and that tends to motivate them.
We motivate our students by being role models. We function in healthcare as role models. Our students see how we dress and act and they mimic us. They see how we handle various situations in the classroom and the clinical setting.
Hi Julie,
Good point. A positive attitude sets the tone for how the class is going to flow. By being excited and supportive both you and your students are going to look forward to the course.
Gary
The course (102) makes an excellent point of the need to provide feedback regularly. Even if the feedback isn't positive, simply tacking on the phrase, "but I know you will do better soon" gives students the motivation to try again.
