Hi Michelle,
These are excellent ways to get students excited. Students want to and need to know how the information applies.
Patricia
Methods I use to get studnets interested in course counted:
A) Give scenarios where theis material would be applied
B) Explain how the material has helped me or a colleague in the past
C) As the students to think of how the mateiral they are learning may be usefull to them in the future.
I agree also students can pick up on your moods
Day one for class titled "Medicare & Medicaid Rules & Regulations" I Give an example of a previous encounter with the husband of a Medicare patient regarding a claim rejection for a pap smear for his wife and give the web site for Medicare and assign the reason for appeal, which had the entire class laughing out loud and running for a computer.
I try to make fun learning exercises which makes the students think and learn to become excited about Medicare & Medicaid and use the same method with other courses. I have found that when I can actually make a game out of learning, the student learns and becomes excited.
Hi Susan,
Students need to know and most want to know how various concepts will benefit them. Once students realize that they can benefit from mastering the concept, they tend to become real excited.
Patricia
Application to life outside the four walls of the classroom is vital. If the student cannot take the knowledge and apply it in real life, then I feel I have taught them nothing. I make that concept clear the first meeting we have. I encourage the students to ACTIVELY seek application, especially if the content is "boring." Applaud the effort, be enthusiastic....it's contagious.
I always try to provide students with real life applications for the material they are going to be learning. This helps the students recognize the value of the material they are going to be expected to learn. Whenever you can give a student an example of how you utilized this information in the "real world", the more apt they are to recognize the importance of the material and retain it.
When discussing the class objectives I like to give examples how these skills, once mastered will be useful in their real jobs after graduation. The adult students appreciate knowing that the skills they are learning will be utilized.
I tend to start off with an icebreaker activity and the use of humor. This gets the students relaxed for the course. I also tie in how the basic concepts of the course relate to the real world. I also tend to explain to the students that this material will be fun when you get the hang of it.
Hi Joanna,
It is super how you use a variety of ways to get your students excited! You do not give your students time to become bored because you have so many different ways to keep their attention.
Patricia
I like to describe to them how this course is going to directly relate to the career path they chose. I talk about guest speakers, real life field trips, and videos we will watch. I also describe how the course information has directly affected me and my professional success. Furthermore, usually give an icebreaker about what they wish to learn relating to the class topics we will discuss. This gets them directly relating to the information and why it will be important to them personally.
Hi Kenneth,
What a response! You are really on point! I felt your enthusiasm in your words. I can tell your students enjoy your classes. Excitement really does start at the top with the instructor. I am a firm believer as well that excitement is certainly a trickle down effect. If the instructor is excited, the students will be excited. Excitement is no doubt contagious. I have it, and my students will catch it!
Patricia
Hi Juan,
Field trips are exciting. Students love to see theory put into action.
Patricia
The most effective method I found is to be excited about the course myself. As an instructor, if I am excited about the course, excited about teaching the course, and excited about imparting what I know about the course material to the students, then that excitement will rub off. I have found instructor excitement and enthusiasm about a course to be quite infectious. If I am excited, then a lot of my students will become excited as well.
Other methods I have found effective include: clear expectations about what is expected from the students regarding the course goals, objectives and method(s) of evaluation being clear, being organized and clear in my communication of course material, being responsive and articulate to student questions, encourage discussions and take advantage of student life experiences, and perhaps most important of all, making the course material applicable to their lives. I believe the more that students can relate to the material and see clear applications of it to their lives, the more naturally excited they will become about the course..
And perhaps an often overlooked method is humor. Use humor to make the class "fun." Be relaxed and comfortable with yourself, do not take yourself or the material to seriously, be authentic and transparent, and interact in a "fun" and joking manner with students. If students perceive the course as "fun," excitement also often grow as well as the learning.
Finally, included in the "fun" factor would be responsiveness. I believe the more responsive an instructor is to student questions, comments, struggles, and life experiences, again, the more excitement will often be generated in the course. Making oneself available to students is often a sure fire way to generate course excitement.
I know a responsive class often excites instructors, but I believe excited instructors also improve the responsiveness of students. These two elements definitely are closely related.
Ken Sell
One method I use for getting students excited about the course content is real world application of course content. If a student can apply their classroom learning experiences to real world situations they tend to see the relevance of the course to real life situations.
During orientation I excite them on the culinary tour that we will embark on. I teach Cuisines Across Cultures and almost always will tease them on the foods from so many countries that they will be preparing. I give the students opportunities to tell about their culture and how we can learn first hand by their involvement.
Students coming to my class usually know that I sponsor culinary tours to local ethnic markets and are generally excited to participate.
Hi Brenna,
Great activity! I also like to bring in want ads pertaining to various careers, and I like to talk money with my students. Students get excited when you start to talk money.
Patricia
I separate students by program and have them discuss ways that they think this course will help them with their careers. Then we share them with the class.
Hi Blanche,
It sounds like you are very entertaining and energetic! Also share the practical and applicable aspects to bring about excitement.
Patricia
Hi Glenn,
I understand the interest. What do you do to from a practical stand point to get your students excited about the course content?
Patricia
