l love what I teach and I love teaching it. My enthusiasm is contagious in the classroom. Students are sponges when it comes to positive energy and they appreciate the good feeling it gives them. This is evident by how I see students respond to the enthusiasm I put into what I am teaching.
Hello Everyone:
In an online class being visible and active communicates that one is enthusiastic. Here are my strategies for encouraging retention through an instructor's enthusiasm:
Method 1: Keeping a Visible Presence: The first difference between a face-to-face and an online discussion is the lack of a visible presence of the instructor (Hutchins, 2007). Due to this fact, it important that I keep a visible presence. This means posting frequently to the Discussion Boards and answering all questions promptly. This will communicate my enthusiasm and desire to be in the class. By role-modeling being an active participant in class, I will also encourage students to keep a visible presence. Therefore, more students will be retained if they see a visible instructor who wants to be there.
Method 2: Be enthusiastic: Keep things Moving By Creating a Progression of Ideas: Time in an online classroom may feel like it is moving in a slow manner vs. in a face-to-face classroom. Susan Ko, & Steve Rossen in their book, Teaching online: A Practical Guide (2003) write that while in a classroom there are minutes ticking and you are working in a set time period, in an online conversation, ideas and conversations go on for days (p. 79). People attend class anytime of the day and can spend no time or all day online if they wish. Therefore, time is stretched out and conversations are slower. I think because of this it is important that instructors reinforce that things are progressing in a sequential manner in an online class by continually going back over what was learned and what is left to discuss in the discussion by starting major topic threads themselves. This communicates their enthusiasm to the material and the class. An instructor cares to fully develop the ideas as they unfold. If students feel that there is a logical progress in ideas as we move forward through the week, they will be able to better keep up with conversations and not feel overwhelmed. The result will be more quality participation posts as students do not feel overwhelmed, or lost as they enter the Discussion Boards.
References
Hutchins Holly. (2007). Instructional immediacy and the seven principles: strategies for facilitating online courses. Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/fall63/hutchins63.html
Ko, Susan & Rossen, Steve. (2004).Teaching online: A practical guide. Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.
For every course I teach I personally held the position they will most likely aspire to so I can readily be enthused about their probable job goals
Hi Stephan,
This comfortable and supportive approach to the classroom means so much to students as you know. We all like to laugh and enjoy interaction as we work toward a common goal. You are doing that with your classes and leadership.
Gary
Instuctor enthusiasm encourages and motivates the students to remain in school and actively participate in the classroom. I always try to keep a sense of humor and use practical applications and scenarios when highlighting key points during lecture.
Hi Joann,
I like your first sentence. It really is an honor to be able to share your knowledge and expertise with your students. You get to help them create futures for themselves while impacting their lives. We need to always remember that as we prepare for our classes.
Gary
Being an instructor should be an honor to you. Enthusiasm of what you are teaching is an absolute must. When students,both young and old, see the instructors enthusiasm for the course it intigues them. When you show the love and excitement for what you are teaching the students become more focused and reliable for coming to class. I think that when you have tue love for the topic and content you are teaching, it allows you to also create a fun enviornment that also keeps the students returning for your class.
Hi Bindu,
Good point. Little rewards, encouragement and support really help with the establishment of rapport and respect. Knowing someone cares about your success is important for students and when that person is an instructor the value of caring goes even higher.
Gary
It is true if the instructor is enthusiastic ,the level of enthusiasm in students also increase. If the instructor comes to the class only lectures and goes away there is no communication no encouragement and the students feel not being cared about.
But when the instructor pays attention to students concern they love to share a nd learn more things. As I remember when I was attending one of the trainings the instructor would treat the person with chocolate who ever would be giving the right answers. Though chocolate may not be a good deal for a student but that chocolate as an award meant much more. And all of us would be counting on how many id one win.
Therefore building a rapport and little personal touch takes the instructor a long way!!
Hi Kamille,
This is a very good point. The students need to be informed about the knowledge and skill sets their instructor is bringing into the classroom. This way they will become more engaged and focused on the course.
Gary
Many times an instructor has experience in the field in which the student has chosen to enter. If the instructor is passionate about that subject matter, it can light the spark of the student's desire to learn the material and spur them on towards good attendance. It also should reassure the student that the career is one in which he or she can find fulfillment down the road after graduation.
Hi Dan,
I agree about the use of humor to help bridge the gap with content that can be challenging. By helping your student relax and laugh a bit you are helping them to settle into the course and be more engaged.
Gary
I like your approach, because in teaching math, I also find that many of the students in my class are there because they have to be. I think humor is very valuable in breaking the ice, particularly with a subject that many students do not find interesting.
Hi Whitney,
Right you are about the need to lead by example. If the instructor does not do it, it is for sure the students will not be engaged. Also, excitement for one's field helps the students to see themselves in the career upon completion of their schooling.
Gary
I have always been a firm believer in leading by example. How can we expect our students to be enthusiastic about their future if we are not exuding that same enthusiasm on their behalf and for their benefit as well as our of satisfaction?
Enthusiasm lends a layer of authenticity to the trusted relationship between instructor and student that deepens the connection, engages the student, and keeps them wanting to come back for more of the same.
Hi Candy,
What great strategies you are using. Your methods are supportive and engaging for the students and this is so important on the post secondary level. Keep up the enthusiasm I know your students are benefiting from it.
Gary
I do find enthusiasm is huge to the class enjoying the material. It also takes a lot of energy to be enthusiastic, so it is vital as a teacher I eat well & am rested in order to be enthusiastic. I also find little things count to show my enthusiasm: (1) laughing about experiences I have done as a previous employee brings humor to the fact that we all make mistakes (2) I actually make a little book that I use every day & I make sure that every student is checked off indicating that I have patted them on the back or complimented them or something every day!!
Instructors need to show enthusiasm not only for the subject matter but also for the process of helping students learn. Instructors should share their delight with students when attendance is high, a class discussion went well, test scores improved, or any number of other positive experiences. Students need to know that instructors are interested in them, not just in the subject matter.
Good afternoon Dr.Meers,
I find that students are like sponges in the classroom. If the instructor shows enthusiasm for the lesson and genuinely shows the students that they are concerned about their welfare; the students feed off of that energy and will most likely attend class on a consistent basis. Student retention is one of the hardest challenges that an instructor faces on a daily basis. Whether it is a ground school or an online program; the teacher must find a way to keep the interest of the students and prevent them from falling off the radar. It is important to call or email students when they don't come to class to find out what is going on with them and persuade them to come back to the classroom. It is much easier to retain the student when you are consistently following up with them and making them feel as though they are a valuable piece of the puzzle.
Best regards,
Jason Kupper
You can’t expect to motivate you students if you, the instructor, are not enthusiastic. The students will begin to reflect you attitude. If you don’t care your students won’t care, you will start to loose students. Excitement and enthusiasm helps students have some fun while learning.
