Coming to class early with a smile on my face and wishing everyone a good morning or afternoon. Asking if their are any questions from the previous lecture. Taking the time to help students understand any questions from the previous lecture. Not showing any frustration with questions that show a total lack of understanding. patience, patience, patience.
Arthur,
Last sentence says it all. We need to develop rapport with our students and identify how we can be supportive to them as they progress through the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students can be motivated by an instructor in many ways that can be successful. The key for the instructor is to find which way will work with each student and realizing that not all students are positively motivated in the same way. One size does not fit all!
Anna-Maria,
Support and encouragement are two important parts of instructional growth. You are giving your students these elements as they move through the course and serves to reinforce their self confidence.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Some ways in which I can be a motivating instructor is by showing enthusiasm for the course and field, using new and differenct techniques to relay the content, sharing work field stories, always showing the students that you believe in them and you know they can do it. for example, if a test is given, after correcting the test and while handing them out, for those who did really great you tell them great job, those who did not do so well or failed, you tell them you know they can do it and that they can get a better grade nex time.
Petya,
Good accountability for both you and your students. You are sharing with them where you are starting from and at the end where you have been. They can see the path of learning that was taken in relation to their learning preferences.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
For each session I am setting specific goals in terms of assignments and in terms of learning objectives that we have to accomplish by the end of the class. At the end I ask students about their opinions and comments and if they have got a sense that they have been completed something at the end.
Darlene,
instructor passion and excitement about his/her field goes a long way in getting students enthused about learning the content. As you say have fun with your teaching.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Tim,
Good advice and advice I need to focus on more. I need to be able to do what you are teaching your students --"working smarter not harder". Thanks for sharing it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Just don't "talk the talk", but rather bring in real life experiences. Use current topics to get across your subject matter. Try to encourage fun activies with cross word puzzles or find a word puzzles. I lvoe playing jeaopardy with the class for bonus points. Get involved and of course, you can still lecture!
Think out of box . In the auto-tech field there are short cuts to some repairs that do not effect the quality . I give examples in class of those type of repairs. Work smarter not harder
All of us know that a motivated student is a successful student.
One of the things I do is to build on his/her knowledge in real life. In addition, I add to each class the relationship between their experience, the theory, and current events. I found that these combinations reinforce their learning, add more topics, and improve knowledge.
Monty Zaki
I find that by demostrating passion and energy in what and how I convey the knowledge, the sudents become motivated. Also by breaking it down into simpler examples, using multimedia (like pertinent YouTube videos on the subject)and personal and professional experiences I bring them into the subject and make them part of it
I try to let them know why it matteres to do well on the test and quizzes so they understand that It will make them a better care giver. As they get motivation and support from myself they work harder on the next section to make sure they get the same positive motivation from me.
William,
You are showing the realism of being a student and through sharing your life experiences you are showing students that they can be successful and that you understand where they are coming from.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Dr. Meers,
For me, I'd love to drawl from student experiences. Having students be able to tell the class their story and how it relates to what we are doing in class has been an overwhelming success. Since the class is made up of traditional lifelong adult learners is easy to find students that want to share their experiences both positive and negative to the rest of the class. Another thing that I love to do is to incorporate some type of game in each class we have. This kind of breaks the monotony but also enforces learning because the games have some meaning to them. Finally, just being real is key to motivating. Empathy plays a major role in the success for motivating. I tell my students that I have been exactly where they have been, and succeeded. I worked 12-hour shifts, had sick children, time zone differences while serving in the United States Air Force and going to school online. So I know exactly what it feels like to be overwhelmed and under the gun. So it is easy for me to convey this message sincerity and honesty.
First and foremost the instructor must be motivated in order to be a motivating instructor. Meaning, the instructor must be passionate about the subject they are teaching and willing to step out of their box and go further and beyond to make sure the students are learning and receiving the info in a manner thats understandable to all students on all levels.
Q: What are some ways you can be a motivating instructor?
A: One significant way to motivate students is to tie the content to "real-world" scenarios that the students will encounter in the field.
Encouraging students to do their best. many students think negatively. They say they "can't do it" or "its too hard, I'll never get it". I always tell them to get that negativity out of their heads. Thinking negatively is holding them back. If they think in a positive way they will open their minds enough to get the information and help them understand. Most of the time this gets them motivated and they do not think they "cant do it" anymore. They then have positive thoughts and can do as well as I know they can.
I am a very animated and passionate instructor and I find that the students are excited about class and are often happy to see me. I truly feel that my personality I bring to instruction motivates the students. I come in the class room smiling about how excited I am and asked the students exciting ice breaks before I start to lecture.
