Motivator
As one of the roles of an instructor is to motivate his/her students, what are some of the techniques to use in dealing with resistance?
Some students show resistance because they are scared at failing. When I have a student that is resisting I contact that student to let them know that I am there to help them excel in the class.
My motto with my students is that together we can conquer anything, but they have to be willing to meet me half way.
Laura
Hi Arlene,
Thank you for sharing your advice about keeping students involved in school and engaged in the learning process. By talking with students and showing them that you care about their success you encourage them to keep working toward their career goal.
Gary
Find out why the student is resistant, ask opened ended questions in a concerned and caring way.
Find out if there is problem outside of the classroom that needs to be handled in order for the student to truly focus on his or her studies.
Find out what motivates the student in other ways. This may be a subject matter that could have a personal affect on the student and they dont know how to deal with it.
The student may feel once they have gotten started that it was not what they expected but have too much pressure on them from the family to continue and cannot face possible failure but also can not handle the stress. So take time out to have weekly meetings if necessary with the student to how offer extra support or encouragement
I do not believe that you should lower your standard by bringing yourself to the students level. I do agree however that you should try to find out if something is bothering the student. Yes, students do want to learn but have they chosen the correct profession?
Other ways I believe have to be within that person. I will help and assist in anyway possible but the person has to show some interest in themselves.
yes I totally agree that motivation is one of important tools that helps students build up the confidence and encourage them to achieve their goals.
As a motivator, I sometimes will check a new class of students to see how motivated they are as individuals. I do this by asking how they will be using the information and instuction they have learned in a future career situation,
If I don't get any responses, then I will give them a scenario and see if they can use learned techniques and theories to figure out how to diagnose and repair a problem. Sometimes you can actually see the little light bulbs come on in their heads and the discussions proceed from there.
Hi Arlene,
There are several approaches to this situation.
Talk with the student privately and explain the disruption that is being created with their talking and attitude. Ask for their cooperation in helping the class go better.
Assign that person a special project that involves some research and effort to acquire the knowledge. This can be done for extra credit. Since they know everything already maybe, just maybe they will find that they don't know everything.
Break the class into work groups. Many times peers will take care of the student's attitude in a quiet way. Small groups like team members and do not tolerate arrogant members very well.
Hope these suggestion will be of help to you. If you have any questions about this please let me know.
Gary
I agree with all of what you say, however, how do you deal with the student that is blatantly arrogant and cant be told anything? They have good grades and that is that.
I agree. Put yourself in their shoes, find out what is brothering them, ask simple questions to find out a little about them. One of the most important thing is to Encourage them at all times by giving them positive feedback
Excellent point, Russell, thanks! Real life examples, not only on the part of the instructor, but also the students, help to stimulate creativity and problem-solving as well as develop skills and abilities, some of which students may not even know they possess.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge/CEE
i apply a real life circumstance to help them understand the importance of what they are learning,that i will be a part of their job at some point and that it is very possible that the things you dont like to do may the ones you are the best at.
Absolutely! So often we overlook what the student brings to the table and build on that. Knowing some background and challenges, and adapting accordingly, as you stated, can be a huge motivational factor.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge Facilitator
I agree. Once you understand where the student is coming from, his background and concerns, then motivate the student accordingly , give him a task to help him build confidance in his abilities, prove to himself that he can do it.
Sometimes just finding out a little bit about your students can help you understand where they are coming from and maybe you will understand why the do and act as they did, remember we were all them at one time or another.
I agree. Put yourself in their shoes, be friendly but not friends, and encourage. I've found when I encourage a student who doesn't believe they can do a given task and help them through the first time, they find they can. When a student says they don't want to do a given task, find out why. As for straight up resistance, there could be a discipinary issue.
try to bring your self down to a students level, put your self in there shoes, find out where the resistance comes from. Students want to learn, they sometimes just need a little incouraging.
