Hi Scott,
I agree 100%! Excitement starts with the instructor, and it trickles to the students. Students can tell if you are enthusiastic about teaching the course or not.
Patricia
One day I get student excited is about course content is making it applicable to real life usage. Teaching business applications, the unique thing is showing students how they can take the material and apply it to their life or their skill set. Students are often excited about content and information when they know they will either increase their knowledge or provide them with insight that they never thought they would be able to concieve. Throughout the course I consently remind them of the end goal and work with individuals to show them how the application of the work
Apart from impressing upon them the usefulness of English for their daily lives, I try to have them select (from options) topics that they are interested in to write about. I also have them write at least one essay about their own personal experiences. We workshop steps in the writing process together, so the outlining and brainstorming work as ice-breakers as well as piquing student interest.
When I am first starting a new course, I let them see my excitement for the material we will be covering. I explain that some material will be a basis that everthing else will build upon. At that time I explain how interesting and fascinating I find the information we will be covering is to me. I tend to find that if the students see and feel you excitement for the material then will get excited about it as well.
When I am first starting a new course, I let them see my excitement for the material we will be covering. I explain that some material will be a basis that everthing else will build upon. At that time I explain how interesting and fascinating I find the information we will be covering is to me. I tend to find that if the students see and feel you excitement for the material then will get excited about it as well.
More evidence today: My first student passed his certification exam! I am very proud of him and happy that I was able to help him reach this great accomplishment. As a first time instructor it definitely gives my confidence a boost.
Well, I teach English, so that's already a strike against me because most of my students are only taking English because it's required, not because they like it. However, I try to be as interesting and dynamic as possible, using video, PowerPoint, audio, etc. to make my class interesting. I try to relate my activities to the work world, as everyone needs to be able to write. I also utilize group work and peer review.
Hi Barry,
I agree! Students want skills that are useful in the workplace. Mentioning promotions, better pay, higher salaries, are sure ways to get students EXCITED!
Patricia
All of my students are already working. I show them how learning the material and passing this class can directly lead to a job promotion and therefore, higher pay.
I incorporate business ethics and talk about job interviewing skills in my accounting class. This seems to hold their attention. They want skills they can use tomorrow at work.
Hi Miriam,
It has been proven that more students are successful and confident by taking a review certification exam course.
Patricia
I agree! I use puzzles and crossword games as a tool for retention and the students love to work them. They compete in groups and the outcome is always fun too.
Brenda S. Jimenez
My experience is showing the students the first day how the course will relate to their field of choice. I love getting them involved in why the material will help them to succeed. It has worked and I modify it as necessary to enlist them in the understanding.
Brenda S. Jimenez
Thank you. I think it's a great resource for the students to have a 5 week course where they have an instructor led/assisted study program. It's a culmination of all of their hard work and helping them overcome any weaknesses will only give them more confidence to take the exam and be successful once they begin their new career.
Hi Miriam,
Typically, when students take a certification course to help them prepare to pass an exam, they are excited. I like how you try to focus on strengthening the students weaknessness to help them be better prepared for the test.
Patricia
One method I use at all times in teaching accounting, I let the students know that is it ok to love or hate the material that we are learning.
The only part I want from them is to understand the material as much as you can and ask the questions you need to be successful in this course.
We are hear to learn and we are hear to have fun!
Let them know this ont he first day of class!
I completely agree with the fun aspect. It's important for me to try to stay on track and obviously present information and let them apply that information (I teach grammar), but I try not to take myself too seriously. And let them see that we're all human. There is room for error.
Give them real world stories. When they hear the exciting and fun things about working in their field they get excited about it.
Hi Alexander,
Students become really interested and excited when we make theory applicable to practical applications in field.
Patricia
I will try to relate my experience in the field and give examples to tie into course content. This will hopefully get students excited about what we are learning.
Normally when I lecture in class and then I ask students if they have any questions two or three times and then once everyone says no... Then, I say remove everything off of your desk except notes that you just took for the Pop Quiz.
I also make sure that the introduction on the first day is very interesting and explain to the students what they can accomplish and normally they are excited about learning something new
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