Showing your enthusiams for the subject matter and explaining how course objectives relate to their development and success in the chosen field of study.
I think the genuine pleasure of teaching that is shown by the instructor by having cofidence, excitement about content, and enthusiasm will help develop a atmostsphere in the classroom and motivate the students.
One of the motivation techniques I use is to bring the lesson back to relevance. It is easy to allow a topic to get lost by students when they are learning so many over a long period of time. By applying material to the overall picture, relating to real world examples, and tying in personal accounts, I can sometimes remotivate my students when they are least expecting it.
I greet each person with a smile and make a positive comment about them or ask for an update about a particular situation they are experiencing. I also show enthusiasm in the lecture and use relevancy to their chosen field. Demos are a great place to show you are relaxed and clarify misunderstandings regarding new information or past lectures.
Ask the student about their experiences on the subject and if they are unable to answer because they do not understand use a metaphor or add another student in on the coversation and return to the student to see if they would like to add more information.
Giving the students a real world example problem, and having them get into groups to collectively find resolutions, while "upping" the stakes as you go to further simulate real-life.
It is easy to get excited even on the 20th time to deliver a lecture when you are passionate about your career. Thanks for what you had to say.
Michael,
You are right because a good opening statement sets the stage for what is to come in that class session. The students then can focus on what they need to learn during the class.
Gary
good opening statement as to what there going to learn that day & the instuctors expectations as well.
Diane,
Great idea! Thanks for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
I like to make index cards and hide them so when students are caught in the act of a good deed and find them, they recieve bonus points!!!
Bryan,
Good way to connect what they are learning to their future through the dollar explanation.
Gary
How their level of understanding will make them more money by being efficient and valued.
Examples of effective motivation techniques are: handing back and reviewing tests papers immediately,bringing a guess speaker from their area of study and have he/she share their success and reward immediately any positive indication of the learning process.
Use experiences and succeses of our life to empower the student to learn and see the end product of hard work.
In teaching computer application classes such as Microsoft Word, and Excel, I make it a point to include "real life" assignments. The students create flyers, newsletters, and checkbook registers that they can use at home or for their employers. They really get excited when they realize that there is a use for these projects.
Maurice,
Good point that we need to remember as we are sharing our career experiences with our students.
Gary
Don't bring your personal life into the classroom
One of the best things an instructor can do to motivate students is demonstrate example of how and when students will use the course materials. Especially for a course that may be outside of the students subject interests, such as a general course, connecting to personal success and application motivates a student.
Showing your enthusiasm for the material presented in class is a motivational technique, and also asking the the learners what it is they like about the material will generate some enthusiam as well.
