Motivation
Most of my students work a night shift or long hours after class and come to school they are tired and worn out. I try to keep them motivated by keeping the class a fun place to learn, i ask alot of questions keeping them alert. I also have alot of hands on training to keep them busy and awake
I find that students attention span is very short lived if you lecture too long. I try to have them participate or share a story that they have that is relative to the topic that way they are participating. During lab point out important procedures during a practice lab project so they know what to look for. That way you are sort of lecturing during a project.
Paul, excellent post and totally on target. There is no greater crime in education today than an instructor that reads from a PowerPoint presentation to their students. I read to my children who are 3 and 6 but I engage with adults and carry on discussions and discourse. Other instructors can learn a great deal reading your post and I thank you for sharing. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
Cynthia, one of the best posts ever and job well done. You are engaging your students and challenging them to take some responsibility for their own education. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
James Jackson
Maggie, great post. The best way to reward students for taking on such a rigorous load, taking classes while working in a job, is to ensure each classroom session is engaging, educational and well worth their time. When students look forward to getting to class after a hard day of work you know you have accomplished something special. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
That is a tough situation to be in; to motivate students who are already tired from the day.
Let them know in advance you know how tired they are but you want their participation and in turn will make class engaging and fun so they can be productive.
I also recommend telling them to get their sleep, eat right, and be disciplined to learn.
I agree, having many things different to do besides lecture keeps them engaged and motivated.It helps if there are different labs to do even in class.
I post the class powerpoint on the student portal; that way I don't have to use them as much in class. Sometimes a powerpoint can sap energy from the room, especially if there is too much text. My students seem to be more motivated when we engage in active group reserach and discussion. We meet the learning objectives, but the students are more motivated because they have more control.
One of my goals as an instructor is to show my students that they can succeed. I teach an evening class, so most of my students work at jobs during the day, and some are parents. The primary reason most are taking my classes is to learn a new career that will ultimately be rewarding and fulfilling. I ask the students to write a paragraph or two the first night of class telling why they have chosen this particular program of study. I also ask a couple of questions based on the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,†by Stephen Covey. Two of the questions are, “Are you continually learning?†and “Do you lead a balanced life?†I have gained a tremendous understanding of my individual students and their needs from their responses. When I have a clearer personal understanding of my class, I can tailor my lessons to facilitate my student’s achievement and success.
Troy, great post and excellent job understanding the needs of your students. Keeping your students active and avoiding a boring lecture format will greatly assist in your students getting maximum value from their time in your classroom. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
