How do you motivate your students?
Retention is something that many colleges struggle with. Finding what excites your students to learn I believe is the key to retention. If students do not find the materials useful they may get bored and leave. If you apply the content to everyday life you will spark interest in the students mind and they will want to come to class. Do you agree?
Helen,
Thanks for sharing this story with us. This is one of those feel good results of being an instructor. We are impacting lives as a result of what we do.
Gary
Yes, it is amazing how it works. I never keep track of when or who I 'clap' for but I had one student who, after I gave her a clap for a response, told me that she had been waiting 4 weeks to get a clap!
Helen,
I love this strategy. A simple thing like this has taken a life of its' own and became a standard of measurement. So now the students are looking for contributions that merit a "clap". This means they invested in your reward system.
Gary
I use a clapper that I carry with me in my pocket everyday. Whenever I ask a question that requires critical thinking and a student gets it right I give them a clap. I've become 'branded'with my clappers. Now students bring me all sorts of different sizes and colors of clappers. If they answer a question or bring up a point that they think deserves a clap they will ask me "Don't I get a clap?" I've actually heard students working in groups tell each other, "oh that deserves a clap" I had no idea what an impression it would make and how effective it has become.
I love this idea as well. Usually I am the one who brings in articles and newspaper clippings and pass it around the class. But I think there is much more buy in if they do it. How much time do you spend on the students sharing their information?
Yes, giving real-life examples is a powerful tool!
Linda, I love your idea of bringing articles to class. Many of our students are computer-savvy enough to find articles online, and those who don't can use magazine or newspaper clippings. In the past, I've offered extra credit in English class to students if they would bring in examples of typos or usage errors found in newspapers or on signs around town. I never had any students actually take me up on this, but as I read your response, I got a new idea. Instead of asking students to find errors, I should ask them to find EXAMPLES of signs using "your" or "you're" and then we could discuss in class if these are usage errors or not. Thank you for bringing this idea to mind again.
While some courses may lend themselves to certain news articles or world events, I'm pretty sure all courses could find SOME way to use student-found articles in class. Even English class. :0)
Shelby, I have used a strategy in the past year that has helped me keep the students engaged and continually applying content to everyday life by having the students bring an article to class that pertains to the subject matter we are discussing. The students summarize and present the article to class along with its relevancy to the subject matter being discusssed. I also will allow them to use real life experiences in lieu of an article. I am teaching Risk Management and Introduction to Security so this may be easier than an accounting or an english course. However, it is possible.
I try to motivate students along with their own motivation. We try to touch base about once a week on their motivations and how close they are reaching their goals. I find it keeps my students strong and excited to learn.
I like this method, as well. I try to provide a memorable personal story to reinforce a lesson, but try to remember that the lesson is the part I'd like them ultimately to retain, not the story.
Hi Kathy,
You are right on with your comments in relation to how to reinforce and encourage students. What are some strategies you use to support your students and their efforts?
Thanks in advance for your input on this.
Gary
I feel constant reinforcement and encouragement will always motivate the students. Just like the course said...try for success!! Believe in your students and they will believe in themselves!!
Hi Alex,
Good way to set a positive tone for each class and get the students feeling at ease. This is important in order for the students to feel at ease in the learning process.
Gary
i motivate my students whith personal experiences and dayly living jokes or samples
I usually try to share work experiences with them. Also share the outcomes (good or bad) with them.
I always give them a personal experience on how I do it in my office or studio. Applying this is extremely important for a class.
That's a very good point Carlos. I try to relate personal experiences to my students.
Do you think the better instructor is one who actually worked in the field?
I also use stories from my experiences to keep things a bit more interesting then just what the book says, and I use humor whenever possible. I feel the more relased the students are the more they learn. I let them know that I do not expect perfection just improvement so I know thay are heading in the right direction.
I keep close to the people in the industry I'm teaching. I can then relay up to the minute information on new trends, general "goings-on" and what said industry is looking for in new hires. I let the students know that I know a great deal of the people responsible for hiring in the area and it would be in their best interest to impress me with such things as attendance, drive and ambition, and attitude.
