I find that having guest speakers and taking field trips related to our field gives students motivation in that they are exposed to professionals other than the instructor
Bringing in guest speakers that the students can relate to would help motivate them. If there are people who are successful in their field, then they get the real example of how things can be for them.
I think that anything that gives immediate feedback is always a motivational success.
Paul,
Great example of teacher understanding. I have had this same situation occur two times in the past year.
Gary
This is true. Instructor who love what the do will manifest in the classroom. Student will want to be active, ask questions; and be open to new learned knowledge skills.
The student is an Army Reservist and his schedule Annual Training coincides with a course final. He has tried to be exempt from the Annual Training; however because of his units impending deployment at the end of the year, he is not allowed to miss the training. So he talks with his instructor. His instructor makes arrangements for him to take his final after his Annual Training. The instructor has shown empathy towards the student by allowing the student to take the final at another time.
Instructions can bring in professionals in their field of interest to talk to the student about opportunities.
I offer some extra credit opportunities near the end of the term that the students seem to enjoy. They're group projects and hands-on, which also helps. They like the extra credit possibility, but they also just seem to like the opportunity to get out of the classroom, go to the library/computer lab, and work with the group. Plus it's a competition, which seems to get them excited. Since they're in groups, it's not intimidating on a personal level.
I use my personal professional experiences. I value their experinces as well and encourage them to share theirs. I make sure that they understand that they are not learning from me only, I am learning from them as well.
i have them convinced that they will be enlightened upon the end of the course.
I find using my personal experiences to show value of information is an excellent way to get students motivated. I have students give me an idea as to their interests and backgrounds at the beginning of class. This helps keep the experiences that I refer to in line with the different backgrounds and interests of the class.
Aldgenette,
Good approach and one that lets the students use their newly acquired knowledge. In addition if helps them to secure the content in their minds.
Gary
One motivating factor I use in class is to add real world experiences and success stories relevant to the materials being discussed. One specific example is when developing a strategic plan, to discuss the importance of communicating a clear message to all stakeholders. Poor communicaitons is a major reason for the failure of new programs and not meeting goals and objectives.
If you have complicated tasks at hand, try to break them down into a smaller tasks so that they are manageable and achievable.
Make a “to-dos†list every day
This will help you to stay focused and move on.
Praising students every time they accomplish something, this is a good technique to motivate them and increase their productivity.
Always talk positive
Focus and work hard on your plan, don't get side tracked, you will see results soon if you don't give up.
This is very important so that you don't get burnt out.
Hard works must be balanced with good rest.
Showing excitement about the class and bringing outside examples and guest speakers. Also, allowing students to share their successes.
I normally have students communicate their goals and intellectual aspirations and how they expect to achieve theme.
I constantly reinforce for them the relevance of each lesson in their daily lives, whether it is related to home, school or at work. We usually begin each chapter with a group brainstorm of examples of each. For example, in an English course, I might ask them, "How might you apply narrative writing in your field, at home and at school?"
I have passed out sticky nnote pads to the students. They are to write a goal on the front of one. At that time, we all stand up and go over to the wall and reach as far as they can with the tips of their fingers. They paste their first goal there. It continues on, but each time they put a goal on the wall, they reach as high as they can jump and stick the paper to the wall. We then sit down and look around at the high goals they have set for themselves. They have to live up to their own requirements.
Not only being excited about your career, but also being knowledgable about what you do. Also, don't be afraid to say "I don't know" or "I'll have to find out". Admit that you have not experienced everything. It creates a new adventure that the class can take as a whole. It also reminds that class that you are human and still have things to learn, just like they do.
When instructors are enthusied and excited about teaching, they can motivate the students to the point of being excited about learning; thus, causing them to be successful in their careers. Instructors assist students with several different ways in gaining new information and knowledge. Once accomplished, the instructors ask the students to list several different ways to apply the newly developed skills. Techniques will be specific to the course.
