Be the coach and the cheerleader
Motivation to me as an instructor is being the coach and the cheerleader for the students. The coach gives the instruction and the cheerleader encourages them to continue......
Miyuki, well stated. I would also add to make the best use of your accelerated students to assist other students. Peer resources can be very powerful but this process does require proper management by the instructor (Coach).
James Jackson
As an instructor our role of coach is inherent. I attribute some of my skills to tactics I learned while watching my husband coach youth football. Each student, similar to athletes, learn at different paces as well as having different motivators. The trick is how to coach to the entire team without leaving anybody behind and if so how do you catch that person up without slowing down the entire class.
Becoming the cheerleader is the answer. Challenge the class to achieving higher results. Ask them what motivates them and use that to get results. If you are strict but fair and genuinely acknowledge students for hard work the class will move collectively in the direction as well as the pace you desire.
I would have to agree with your statement. We are both coach and cheerleader at the same time. I would also add that at times we perform this dual task in their personal life as well.
Nicole, positive reinforcement is critical today more than ever and I agree totally with your comments. Many of our students come from very negative environments. The classroom may be one of the only positive settings they encounter during their time of formal education.
James Jackson
I agree with this statement. I feel that if I student is fearful they will not perform well. Nothing good comes with fear. I always encourage my students to have a positive attitude and have the attitude that they can do it! Our student’s need motivation to keep going strong. I like to reward my student’s when they have done a good job.
aradhana, turning fear into confidence can be a very valuable technique. By breaking down the factors that add to the fear and creating small, manageable successes, confidence takes over and students that previously appeared to be "unmotivated" now progress and become some of your best students. Talk to your students and identify the fear factors. Further discuss what success would look like then create the proper environment to allow success to take place.
James Jackson
I agree with this statement fully. It is important to provide guidance and encouragement to our students. Motivation is crucial for our students.
Theories of motivation should be studied by instructors. Fear is a student's worst enemy. I don't think fear and punishment work at all-they lead to failure. Nothing can be won with fear. Motivation is every thing and a major tool to help our students succeed.
Dawn, positive feedback is so critical. I get really worried when I hear the terms "hand-holding" and "student accountability". If the instructor has conducted the proper testing and received outside assistance to determine that a student is totally at fault for not learning then one has to move forward and assist those students that need and want the assistance. This said, I feel all too often instructors today blame students first and look at themselves last, this is not the way to go. Thanks for your comments, you show you have what it takes to be a really great instructor.
James Jackson
I agree wholeheartedly. For some students we are the first person to give them positive feedback. Some of them may have grew up lacking the encouragement from family members or other peers. For those students we can make a huge difference and impact their lives in a more positive way. By encouraging and showing them that they can accomplish anything they set thier minds to and that a little hard work and determination go a long way.
Robert, it is good that you can change roles to assist your students. You are always the instructor but at times you need to play different roles from the perspective of the student.
Regards,
James Jackson
I find that to be true. When I find a group not engaged in an assignment, I become involved in ther group more as a member than an instructor. This alows me to inject some help, get to know them better along with helping them get on track with there work. Giving them tips on how to compleat the work as well as added information about the subject during this process works well.
