Motivating Students
It's so important to learn something personal about each student. It makes them feel comfortable in class, and give you a connection. The students know you care when you take time to learn something about them; therefore, they will be more motivated to learn from you.
Elaine,
I am always frustrated when my students do this. I work hard at getting them engaged and hopefully seeing the value of the content being shared and the skills being developed. In many cases though it comes back to just what you said, how little can I do to earn the grade I want. They don't see that that have access to an expertise in their field (their instructor) for the duration of the course so they should be asking questions and trying to learn everything they can. I will say though that the students that do get it are what makes it worth being an instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes, I have had the same experience, where students (both really experienced students and beginners) will admit to me they are calculating their grades to see if they can get away with missing an assignment or two. I try to explain the purpose of education to them, but it doesn't always seem to work.
Great insight to give to your students especially to the ones who wants the info. I love it when they finally understand the concepts behind the theory aspects of the problem.
Glenn
Hi Andrew,
This is a great model to follow. Both students greatly benefit from the working together and sharing that occurs.
Gary
One way I moviate students is to mentor students. I like to use myself, other instructors, and even high achiveing students.
I coach a culinary team. Using a student on that team to assist with a challenged student works well. I do not tell either student but inevitably the high achiever through his leadership the necessary ideals can be tranferred to the other student. I find that a fresh voice works to help turn the brain on. It works the same with another instructor as well.
Andrew
Hi Holly,
Good point about the picture posting. The old saying about "a picture being worth a thousand words" really applies. We can get a much stronger image of that person through a picture and supporting narrative. It helps us to feel like we know them even though we will never meet except through technology.
Gary
I agree. Even in an online environment, you can create a more comfortable atmosphere in which students know you and you remember who they are. I think it's a bit more difficult than in a live classroom, though. But posting pictures of you or the students engaged in hobbies or with families/pets/etc. can help!
Holly
Hi Richard,
Tough question that has been asked by many many educators. In my classes I try to create a connection between content and application. I use real world work for my students with accountability coming from employers. These employers don't care that a student is going to get an A on a project he/she just wants to project completed. Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is another way I connect the dots between learning and classes rather than just grades. I will tell you this doesn't always work because there is always one student that only want the grade and not the knowledge.
Gary
I still find that a great number of my students are motivated by grades rather than learning. How can I help to change this?
Value is discussing current work experiences to determine if options become available for student experiences in project management options
Especially important to learn of their current work experience to determine if something can be applied in the work environment
Dave, I see that learning the names of your students would show that you care about them and their classroom success, for new instructors, is there somethings specific you do in your classes that aids you in learning everyones name?
Hi Issac,
When this happens to me I just redirect the inquires back to the course topics. If the students comes back with another question I redirect again. I have found that this stops the questions. I have also told students that it is inappropriate to ask such questions and then move on. They catch on quickly that we are going to stay on the course not personal information.
Gary
what do you do when students want to know too much personal information about your life?
Hi Dave,
What a great example you are to other instructors. They know you care based upon your effort to learn the names of your students, even when there is a large enrollment.
Beyond that example the role you are planning as a caring educator comes through very clear based upon the effort you are putting forth to learn the names of your students. The students recognize your professionalism and respect you for it.
Gary
Obviously, in small classes it is pretty easy to know all the students by name. Now that I teach much larger classes, I still make sure that by 2 or 3 weeks in I know every student. I have had several faculty members comment about how impressed they are that I take the time to do that. Acknowledging a student by name shows that I know and care about them and their classroom success.
Hi Linda,
Letting students know something about yourself is a good practice. Students forget sometimes that all instructors are former students themselves and that their instructors have gone through the very same things they are going through. This creates a common bond of understanding that is beneficial in establishing rapport with students.
Gary
...and I also think it helps for students to know something about you. It lets them know you are real and have encountered similar situations that they have. I really believe that a connection keeps some students in the class!
Hi Melanie,
The person touch is critical to establishing student rapport. All instructors need to focus on this aspect of humane teaching.
Gary
