I often feel that as teachers we are not only educators but entertainers. Engaging our audience and getting audience participation and 'buy in' is part of the game. With little or no entertainment value this is very hard to do. We teach technical topics here and our teachers are career mechanics. The technical aspects are easy for them to deliver but to find someone who can deliver this information and sing & dance is truly a winning combination and students will not miss class because they don't want to miss the next show!
enthusiasm is contagious, if the instructor has passion and intensity for the subjet(s) that he/she is teaching, this passion is passed along to the students while in class.
Melissa,
Your last sentence says it all. You have to bring passion and enthusiasm to the class because if you don't it is for sure the students aren't going to generate it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jeffrey,
Thank you for these good comments about instructor enthusiasm. They are reflective of the value that students associate with the content when their instructor is excited about getting to teach them. This is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kristina,
You points about enthusiasm are right on the mark. It is for sure if we do not have passion for our content and enthusiasm about teaching it the students will not be engaged. We have to bring our A game to class each and every time it meets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The program I teach in is very challenging and requires a huge commitment of effort and time, as does the students' future career (which also, unfortunately, does not come with an amazing paycheck). So, a student that is not genuinely interested and passionate about the material will not succeed. If I don't show my enthusiasm and passion, how can I expect them to have any?
When a student sees that their instructor has a true enthusiasm for the subject matter they are teaching, it reassures them that not only will the class be inspiring, but also that the career the class content leads to will be exciting as well. Students can tell when an instructor is just going through the motions, and this creates a low energy "vibe", which is hard to escape.
I find enthusiasm to be highly contagious! If I'm enthusiastic about the materials I'm presenting to students they will become enthusiastic about learning it. I also notice myself feeding off of student enthusiasm; it makes me excited about teaching. But someone has to initiate this cycle of enthusiasm and that responsibility falls on the instructor!
Karen,
Well said and I want to reinforce your comments. If we are not excited about sharing our content and are not passionate about our field it is for sure our students won't be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that Instructor Enthusiasm has a great impact on a students ability to retain information. If an instructor is enthusiastic about their field and the information they are teaching this will motivate the student to listen more closely thus aiding in the retention of the information. A boring, monotoned lecture will immediately cause the students thoughts to wander. If the students aren't listening then they are not learning. Make learning fun and exciting. Be enthusiastic and tell interesting stories. Keep the class engaged, entertained and let your enthusiasm show! If nothing else they will NEVER be bored !
