Instructor Roles - Is One Role More Important than the Other ?
As Instructors we play various roles such as a model ,a manager ,and a motivator.We are all aware of the importance of these 3 roles.Do these roles have equal importance ? Or is one more important than the other.For example , you could be very good as a manager , or as a model but if we fail to motivate our students then it would be difficult for learning to take place. I have been teaching Human Anatomy & Physiology for the past 6 years and I try my very best to motivate my students to study especially the ones who are failing. I encourage them on a daily basis but still some of them falter.There is mention of the instructors creating opportunities for students to motivate themselves.I wish to know concrete ways to do this and I hope others can share their experiences.Thank you.
I like your idea, Jim. For me, it might work to give students some questions ("homework") to answer for the next class meeting that would function as a way to check whether they are keeping up with the reading and also as a way to make sure they are getting the key points. They would then be more prepared for the day's material. I was thinking that I might bring some candy bars or small prizes to give to the student who can answer the question first. I find that many of my students don't read the material--they want me to "download" everything in lecture!
If I had to choose one as "most" improtant I would choose model. If an instructor models professional behavior it can go a long way toward motivating students and minimizing the need to manage their behavior.
Hi Jim,
Good strategy. Thanks for sharing it. I know this will be of benefit to other instructors.
Gary
I have found that a great number of students do not know how to study or what material to study. To help all of my students, I have begun giving them easy to answer 'homework' which requires them to find the correct answer in their text book, to include the page number. Time is allotted at the end of class for the completion of the 'homework' which must be turned in at the beginning of the next meeting. This is checked, not graded necessarily for accuracy, but to ensure that an attempt has been made to complete the work. The work is then returned that same day and, with class participation, each question is revued for accuracy so that all students will have the correct information and where this information was obtained.
I think that all three are equally important. If you are a great model and motivator but you cannot manage your class, it will not be successful. If you were a great motivator and manager but cannot show up to class on time, use poor grammar and spelling and do not grade papers in an acceptable time frame, then you will not be successful either.
Becky
