I couldn't agree more! Though I don't consider myself "an entertainer", there is no doubt that it is necessary to find some way, each day, to capture the students' attention. A sincere, warm smile and greeting is the start, but then, you need to have a pertinent story, joke or photo to get them interested.
Eric,
This is a fact. Enthusiasm is catching and it really helps to get students engaged in the learning process. So bring passion for your field and excitement for teaching about it and you have the setting for focused learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Enthusiasm is contagious. If students see excitement in the instructor about the course and in the students, they will be more incline to show enthusiasm as well.
Cheryl,
Thank you for these points on enthusiasm. They are right on and something we need to think about as we do our instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Timothy,
I wish you continued teaching success. It is easy to drop into a routine and lose some of our enthusiasm for our subject. We need to take a deep breath and bring excitement into the classroom each time we meet with our students. The results will be a much higher level of engagement by our students and we will feel so much better about our teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jacqueline,
Yes, we do. Students like change of pace and variety in their learning so the more we can offer these two the more engaged our students will be. Thank you for your comments about how to keep the interest of our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
Right you are. Passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching about it is catching. This is how excitement is generated in the classroom and lab for and with the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The students can sense enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is engagement. When people speak of their favorite teachers, they never say it's because they were the easiest - rather because their faith, encouragement, and enthusiasm ignited something within them.
When entering a career school (especially careers glorified on TV), some students' expectations of immediate rock star status are quickly dashed. They find out that hard work and repetition of competencies is the key to success. If the teacher/facilitator is not enthusiastic, the students won't be either. Engagement - creating an environment where students are enthusiastic citizens - makes each class fun, and hopefully, teaches the students to have fun in their careers.
This material has found a place for renewed
thought of how I do in manifesting Enthusian in the classroom. I do a lot of the things that you have talked about, but there are times that I lack those pointers . It may be that I am tired,
or have other things on my mind. I need to be
100% in showing and applying that enthusian to those class times.
I agree with you about balancing teaching and entertaining. Sometimes you have to bring some change into the mix, because you can see if you are losing them when you are lecturing . WE should try to mix it up,we need the change also.
Students quickly pick up on the instructor's attitude toward the course. If the instructor lacks enthusiasm, the students will think the instructor doesn't really care. Conversely, if the instructor is enthusiastic about the class the students will pick up on that and become excited and enthusiastic--looking forward to the next class session.
If the instructor has enthusiasm, it will rub off on the students. The students will want to be in class. If a student wants to be in class, they will find a way to be there. If they don't want to be in class, they will find an excuse. If they are not in class, it will be difficult for them to succeed, and if they don't succeed, you will lose them.
Racheal,
Students can see the passion an instructor has for the field that is being taught. You are bringing such passion along with enthusiasm for teaching about it to your students and they are catching the excitement. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that instructor enthusiasm is influence students retention, previous lessons stated that we are models and examples of our field or trade . Imagine no one wants to be or model the person that is always unhappy , negative, don't like there job . It makes students think if my instructor is like this maybe this is what my life will be like in 5-10 years in this field.
I have found that when I really enjoy a subject, the students are much more engaged because they really can tell the difference between me just knowing a subject and being truly enthusiastic as an instructor.
Maria,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it spreads to the students. If you are excited they are going to become engaged in the learning process and increase their engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Enthusiasm comes from a deep part of your sole. You want to share the happy part of the topic that makes your teaching interesting.
David,
Your last sentence sends a message instructors need to remember. It is the first and only time our students will be in our class. We need to remember that and make each class session exciting and rewarding for our students. If we do we are going to have rewarding learning experiences with our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Curt,
So true and so important in terms of engaging students. If we bring passion for our field and the content we will be sharing to the class each time it meets the students will respect our efforts. If we bring passion and enthusiasm for teaching about our field we have a winning combination for student learning and growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
