It makes the students enthusiastic to learn the exciting material that the instructor is enthusiastic to teach.
Enthusiasm is a key part as instructors for our classes. Without enthusiasm, the subject material can possibly come across as not important. In the field that I teach, nothing is truly unimportant and it may not be until later on that the students really see how one thing may build upon another. Keeping up this enthusiasm, can possibly make this learning process easier for the students themselves. Especially in their career futures.
I love this post Deborah! I totally agree. I happen to be one of the first instructors at my school that has had a relevant amount of success in the field and I quickly became the student favorite because they were so taken with my success and my passion for the field. Students need instructors who are not only passionate but who is an example!
Deborah,
It is catching isn't it? So we need to bring it and then spread it around to our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Enthusiasm from the instructor is a key to igniting a desire or passion in someone just starting out in a particular career path. Seeing an instructor so enthusiastic about what they (the students) have chosen to learn goes a really long way to drawing the students in and keeping them interested.
Kareneen,
Thank you for this wonderful example of how an instructor can influence the learning of others. We need to bring our excitement to the classroom each time and from there the enthusiasm will spread to the students. The results will be more motivation and enhanced learning.
The story alone got me excited since I love hearing about instructors that motivate others.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Guerda,
Key point. Enthusiasm is catching so why not spread it around the classroom when teaching your subject matter.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students recognize when the instructor is not enthusiastic about the material, and/or about teaching. It is much more difficult to stay motivated to perform well, or to participate altogether when the instructor puts out a vibe that communicates they would rather be doing anything else. Of course, success is up to the student ultimately, but understanding the impact we have on their personal motivation, why would we not insist on doing all we can to promote them?
If you make the Class and learning fun the students will want to came back.
I once observed an instructor of a different program as part of my job (we were required to observe other instructors so that we could learn and "steal" ideas - it wasn't an evaluation of the instructor). The instructor was teaching her students how to draw blood from each other that day and, as she began her lecture, she literally started jumping up and down with excitement. She was genuinely thrilled by the lab that was about to take place. I was so excited to be in her class that I wanted to stay past my observation time. I learned a lot that day about how an instructor's enthusiasm can contribute to student retention. I bragged about it to her supervisor :)
If the instructor is not enthused by their own teaching then students won’t be in enthusiastic about what they’re learning. Lack of enthusiasm will turn students off and they won’t come back.
Cynthia,
So true. Attitude is catching either positively or negatively. It is up to the instructor to bring the right attitude to the classroom and share it with the students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Instructor enthusiasm is directly related to student retention of information and their likelihood to remain in the course. I teach parasitology, which is full of scientific facts and classifications. Most students already have a misconception that the course will be dry. I try to make the information interesting by using specimes, videos, and models. Usually my bug affinitiy is passed onto the students! Other instructors that deliver the information in a "matter of fact" way tend to have a lower pass rate.
How can you get a student excited about a subject if you as the instructor are not excited. The joy of teaching is spreading that excitement you experience about the subject you are teaching to all your students. There is nothing better than witnessing that excitement occur in the classroom.
Donald,
So true. If you aren't excited it is for sure the students won't be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
you have to have Enthusiasm for your Chosen proffession,Show your students the love and passon you have for the Career you have Chosen.
It will reflect in your teaching. and will help them learn.
QUINTIN,
Right you are. Enthusiasm is catching so we need to bring it each time we teach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If I was a student, and was in a class where the instructor did not seem involved, or could care less if I am there, my learning light would run out of fuel quickly. It is not hard to show you are enjoying teaching a group of people a subject, and if you enjoy it, it gets infectious to the students.
Renata,
Passion for your field goes a long way in motivating students. They see your excitement and they get excited as well. The end result is that teaching is more fun with engaged students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I enjoy the subject I teach and I can see the positive effects it has on my students. My students are more engaged in class and enjoy coming to class.
