Having a past graduate return and address the class is a great motivational tool. They can listen to me all they want, but when they see and hear the success of one of their peers, it really gets them excited. They can see that if one of their peers can do it, so can they.

Getting off-topic is easy. The students are following you down a path towards a group of objectives and an ultimate goal. Your mind needs to be split into several parts during the teaching process. One part on you, one on the group as a whole, and one rotating from student to student. Asking questions of individual students keeps them on their toes and allows for continual review. When you go off track a bit, re-focus the group with questions.

Grab your students during the first 5 minutes of every class. Treat it as if it were a job interview or a broad-way play. Perception is key. We are visual interpreters of the immediate environment. Enthusiasm is contagious. Use some "show and tell" right out of the gate. Project yourself with your voice, attitude toward the subject matter, and visual stimuli.

My situation is a little different in that I am an advisor at an on line university. The way our system works, the advisor is the first line of contact for the students as they work through courses on line. We have students all over the world. The fact that some of our students are dealing with disasters, traumas and even war in their countries drastically affects their motivation and retention. This year many of my students in West Africa have faced lock downs because of the Ebola virus. This means they cannot get to Internet Cafes which is where they normally would go to do their studies. My strategy has been to continue to encourage them through email, which they can see on their phones, so that when they can return to studying, they will still be motivated.

I frequently encounter a "fear of success" phenomenon with my older learners. I teach at a private trade school and the program I teach can place almost 90% of our graduates. We offer assistance with resumes and placement. With older students I have noticed some resistance to the idea of a resume and a job interview. They come from a time when a "handshake" was enough. With encouragement they will head-down this new world job seeking road, but many are hesitant and procrastinate to the point where they may miss some great job opportunities. Any ideas to help these students overcome their fears?

Should people go to work because they love their job or for money?

What are strategies for handling factors that may affect a student's motivation and confidence that occur outside of the classroom?

Customers, so be it students or the purchaser at a store. all desire one thing, quality.

if the instructor is motivated and excited to be in class the students will also.

remember what it felt like to be a student trying to learn ann entire new world,..will make one humble.

keeping students engaged in learning process will produce better understanding of materials and grades.

understanding people and what makes them happy will yield a productive classroom activity, therefore learning will take place.

This was a truly unique term as I taught the same three classes to two very different groups. The first group was plagued by tardiness,absenteeism, late assignments, and several resulting failures; the other class was very engaged, timely, and for the most part present and accounted for. Despite the differences in the personalities of the two classes, I can see how the things I learned in ED 112 can make me a better instructor. Now my task is to implement these techniques and see if the results can be improved.

Being empathic is essential when a student lacks motivation. Trying to work, taking care of family needs and trying to attend school can become overwhelming. In the past, I have shared my own personal experiences so that students will realize their goals are attainable.

The idea of assigning the takative student the role of observer will help with managing participation. This has been one of my most challenging areas, and I am looking forward to implementing this idea.

I enjoy a good challenge when teaching my class. I welcome the opportunity to present the information I am teaching in as many different ways as I can to reach my students. This platform is full of great ideas. Thank you.

I believe that motivation is the key to any success no matter the situation. I find this to be very beneficial in the classroom setting. I think that the key to motivation is to build relationships with your students to gain their trust. Once you have gained their trust, you can establish the security that they need to become motivated. A motivated student is the most successful student that I have had in my experience. I really enjoyed this course because it has given me some tools on how to handle certain situations to improve security which in turn increases motivation. Best course I have participated in thus far.

I find that my older students come to class eager to learn what's needed to advance to the next level wheras the younger students come to class to complain about how much they have to learn and they want to be spoon fed on everthing instead of using their brains and applying critical thinking

If we have done as much as we can to recognize the student and individualize their learning, and the student is not involved or dedicated to the material for what ever reason, how do you resolve that within yourself? Do you ever take it as a personal failure?

I would have liked to see something in this course about interactions with adult learners when the instructor is significantly younger than the oldest students he/she is teaching. Being the average age range is 28, it wouldn't be unlikely to see an instructor around that age such as myself.