Valarie,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm about teaching the content goes a long way in getting students engaged. As we all know excitement is catching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think you need to be passionate about your field and let the students see it. Once you know the students learning styles you can motivate them by using the different styles to keep them involved and pumped up. You as an instructor must always be prepared and excited to be there and ready to teach.
Gary,
Variety and change of pace are two critical elements in keeping students engaged. You are right on with your approach and I know it results in increased student learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel that by providing students with a variety of different learning activities this helps increase their motivation to learn.
Steven,
Your last sentence raises a great question. The answer is the reason that some instructors have problems in getting their students excited about what is being taught. It is a fact if the teacher is not excited about the topic the students won't be either. We need to bring our A game in terms of passion for our field and excitement about teaching to class each time it meets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dorothy,
Good point in relation to engaging students. An instructor that shows passion for his or her field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in helping students to see the value of the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe if my students can see that I care about the material in my course, that I care about my field of expertise, and that I care about them and their success then they will be inspired to hear what I have to say. If I am truly interested and excited about my course material then my students are more likely to find my lecture interesting and maybe even exciting. It comes back to being a model for our students. Why would they find our course exciting if we appear bored with the content?
I think motivation can come form the instructor on their enthusiasm, excitement and passion for the field. Perhaps invoking excitement and passion from the students.
Ninette,
This is so important because students do need to own their education. They are transitioning from being high school students to being college students that have elected to go to school and are paying for it via tuition. If they do not own their education they do not own their future in terms of determining their success trail. They need to see that early and be reminded of it frequently.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe giving the students some kind of ownership of their education. Show them how this is going to benefit them both personally and professionally. Most students just need someone to tell them they can do this...
Ellya,
What some ways that you do this?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
come up with creative ways to get the students involved
Marlene,
Passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching it helps to engage students and get them excited about what you are teaching. You are doing both with your approach. Keep spreading the cheer about how you love what you are doing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find genuine enthusiasm to be contagious and because I love what I do amd enjoy sharing success stories, students become motivated when they realize they are passionate about same subject and more importantly that they can achieve same or similar results
Sharon,
Talk with the instructors in the different areas of culinary arts and try to get examples/case studies or any other applications that you can use in your gen ed course. This will show both relevancy and application to your students and increase the value of the content to and for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree. I've noticed the difference in the interest level of the students when a class activity involves references to their career choice. This is a challenge for me since I teach Gen Ed courses in a culinary school, but have little knowledge of the field.
Edda,
There is a saying that fits this strategy and that is "To teach is to learn twice, one as a student and again as a teacher.". You are helping your students to process the information as students and then as teachers when they share with others and work at the board. Good plan!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I very often pair up students so that a more knowledgeable student (usually a student who was more recently in high school) works with a weaker student. I also have those stronger students go to the board and explain to the class. This way they also become more comfortable with the material. If you can teach something, then you must understand it. Students are more comfortable asking questions to a peer in many cases.
Deborah,
Like your list as it hits upon the common needs for reinforcement for most students. Helping them to see their value as students and success in the classroom or lab goes a long way in increasing their motivation and engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructors can motivate their students and maintain excitement about the course using several strategies:
1)Recognize the students hard work and effort(i.e., perfect attendance) through verbal praise and reward certificates
2)Provide real life applications of the content, where students can relate and connect
3)Project an instructional style of passion for the subject matter and passion for the student learning
