From the first day I started school (at the school I'm now working at) forty years ago I have loved my field. I have been tired many times but never tired of the job. I think it's important my students know that I love what I'm doing and that I am still interested in the job.
It is important to be prepared and knowledgeable on the subject being taught. The students love hearing about work place experiences to serve as examples of the course content. It helps to act as a cheerleader for the students, and let them know how great the payoff is once they finish their schooling. I like to provide Q&A sessions about nursing if time permits, and if it is pertinent to the course content.
I agree, giving them examples of how people their age have accomplished what they are setting out to do you can inspire them to be more motivated as well.
We are now into our third week of the semester. I could tell the students were disappointed that they could not get the content of the subject matter. Two hours into the class, I had to walk out of the room since the frustrations from the students were wearing off on me. I then remembered the paper airplane topic and decided that this would be a great way to get our minds away from everything. When they asked why we were doing this I explained to throw our negative thoughts around the room. It turned out that only one student could make a paper jet. By showing them I was willing to learn something that I knew nothing about, we were able to laugh and have 15 minutes of fun! By the end of the class, everyone was participating and doing their work. In fact I had to ask them to leave so they could lock the doors.
The courses I teach are lets the students discover hidden talents that they may not know they have. I make my lessons fun and enetertaining with stories from my own expirence's in the field. By doing this and showing them what they can achieve, they have a sense of hope and goals they now want to accomplish..
Hi Bernard,
I am sure your positivity is a trickle down effect. It has to rub off to your students.
Patricia
Hi Gary,
Great points! I am sure your students appreciate your positive and encouraging attitude.
Patricia
I promote positive communication and encourage discussion. I respect opinions of studnts and attentively listen to their concerns and questions. i do not attempt to be the sinple portal of academic authority, but a source of learning. I work with students individually to encourge their connection ot the materials and relevance to their occupational choices.
By giving them positive feedback. By letting them know that you are hearing there questions and understanding what they are asking for.By giving them positive reinforcement on the task that they are working on, and thanking them for having a positive attitude.
Hi Terry,
What a great way to get students to buy in to the course. Great examples so that students can see the relevance of the course.
Patricia
I get initial buy in from my students by explaining the many areas, in and out of the field, that they can use the things that they will learn in the class. It is funny to see their faces when you explain how pertinent the material in a class such as "the Art of Selling" can be. I start by asking how many of them plan on being professional sales people - most say no. Then I ask them if they use sales skills in their daily life - again many say no. Then I explain all the places that they are actually using the skills that they will be learning, such as in dating, choosing which restaurant to eat at with a group of friends, lobbying me to throw out a question on a test. That is when they realize that this material has many applications - suddenly they are interested in the course.
Terry
I agree, being motivated about your subject even if it is false motivation can lead to actual motivation from your students. My subject is not that exciting but if I seem excited about it, they will be excited to learn it.
Hi Kyla,
I've utilized this tactic since PowerPoint came out. Students love it!
Patricia
Thanks so much for the suggestion. I've been trying to find ways to make the documents more relevant to the students...a PowerPoint presentation is a great idea. :)
I agree! The way an instructor approches a subject is condusive to the way the class will accept or reject the subject matter. The more positive the instructor the more positive the class.
One main strategy I would use is to develop a delivery strategy based on the demographics of the class. Reason being each generation requires different types engagement methods.
I generally start off with my own testimony of my success in the field and use specific examples of how the skills they are about to learn helped me. I also pique their interest by giving examples of how these skills or procedures have changed over the years and that what they are about to learn is "cutting edge" or "state of the art." Generally I like to pre-quiz them informally to see how much they know (or think they know) about the subject at hand then present the most interesting (in some cases shocking) contrasts to their preconceptions of it. This seems to work for me to get them not only interested, but excited about the course of study.
Tony
Look at the course material from the perspective of your target audience. Explain from this perspective why your learners should spend their time learning the material. I try to lead off with a a story or personal experience incorporating the WIIFM, that will push the right buttons and motivate the learners.
Take a look at your target audience and explain from their perspective why they should spend their time learning the content in question.
I have practiced law in the private sector and I try to use real life examples to show the students how what is being taught can help them in their chosen careers. I try to show how it will help them get a job and how the information and concepts will help them advance in their careers. This shows them that there is something of value in it for them. It becomes about more then a grade this is something I can use and contnue to use during my career.
