students must be motivated
I agree with Sharon, bring the subject home has the student sitting straight in there chair. Becoming a cheerleader will also do the trick.
Dr Meers,
This subject is or can be very exasperating at times to answer, for me anyway.
Computer Science is a no brainer for me because I have been teaching it for years and know the subject well, and we ALL know how important computer and computer security is to us. I also teach College Mathematics, Dosage Calculations, to nursing students. This can be a difficult issue to motivate students. Math scares them more than motivate them to learn.
First, I think, we need to be aware of the learning styles of the students and teach to those styles.
Second, you absolutely have to be passionate about the subject and you have to relate what they are learning to real world situations.
Thirdly, you absolutely have to display how important the information you are teaching them is for them to learn and be willing to go the extra mile to ensure they understand before moving on to the next learning subject.
Finally, you have to make sure they know that you are willing to spend as much time as THEY need to ensure they can succeed. In other words, make sure they know you are willing to stay after class, if necessary, to work with them till they are an "expert" at the activity.
I have found that if you display these attributes they will motivated to learn and succeed.
Landis
I try to demonstrate what the payoff will ultimately be for them. I teach technology, and I have them search for online job postings that they will be able to fill in the future and explore the high salaries being paid...they get fired up. I also have former students, that received positions in high profile companies, visit the class so that current students can see with their own eyes a living / breathing person that trained in same class and succeeded. Most of my students have invested a lot of money in our program, and it puts them at ease to see that their investment will pay off...assuming they work hard!
Some ways to help students to become motivated and excited about the course and to stay motivated and excited yourself. If you are motivated and excited and you show that to the students then they are more likely to stay in class and learn everything they need to learn to be amazing in their careers.
Scott
I absolutely agree with you that we as instructors bring the fire with our passion and excitement for the material
Henry Przybylowicz
Olga,
Good way to blend application and relevancy into your instructional delivery. This way you are creating value for your students in terms of the content you are sharing and how it can be used in their daily lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have many ways to involve and instruct my students so they can have the opportunity to learn and to be guided to understand a new topic. I showed and commented part of my background and tell them part of my interest,objectives, and the interrelation of Math with my real life.
Robert,
What are some ways you do this with your students?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mark,
I use guest speakers a lot in my courses as well. You are right about the value they bring to the classes. They tell the students like it is and why they need to learn what they are being offered as content. This increases both their motivation as well as their enthusiasm for the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Scott,
I agree with you about the need for us instructors to bring passion for our field and enthusiasm for teaching about it to our classes each time they meet. We need to be role models for our students so they will see what they can do in their field as a result of effort and self discipline.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
we need to led by example
As Educators I believe bringing guest speakers, experts in their field once a month.
This helps connect students with their chosen fields.
I have personally witnessed improved student engagement in class weeks to months after a variety of guest speakers have spoken on areas from windows and doors to steel beam design.
It’s difficult finding quest speakers so often but the payoff is worth it
As Educators I believe that we need to bring the passion or the fire that initially brought us to the teaching profession by way of our chosen fields. We have many years of experience 'doing' the trade specific tasks in the real world, we need to show that enthusiasm we have for our fields which should have some positive impact on our students in our classrooms. We need to lead by example and demostrate the desire to succeed and share our field experiences.
Diane,
Good way to set the stage and get them excited about what is going to be covered and what they are going to learn. Tying this information to their career goals will also help to get them ramped up and enthused for what is to come.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Linda,
Good way to "read" your students and get a feel for them and what experiences they are bringing to the classes. This way you can build on these experiences as you help them to develop their self confidence and grow in their knowledge.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I love to get students motivated to learn a new topic. I will usually show a video to amp up their mood and to get them excited. Involving them in the process also helps with motivation.
Some of the ways that help my students stay motivated and excited about their courses include less talk and more action, projected profits, and positive reinforcement. My school often enrolls non-traditional students that often do not have a strong background in academic success or study habits. If I were to drone on for mor that 20 minutes, they would be in a coma! An initial introduction and overview of the lesson will satisfy the academic portion of the lesson and is followed by a clinical lab where they enjoy a hands on approach to the lesson. Projected profits from their chosed salaried careers is often a great motivator for students currently in low socio-economical conditions who want to make a better life for themselves and their children. And finally, and most importantly, positive motivation. Everyone in every situation loves to hear something good about themselves. Although we sometimes have to look very hard to find that positive action, it is well worth the effort to build confidence within a student. Remembering that each individual has their own capibilities, experiences and personality reminds us that we do not all move forward at the same pace.
Shannon,
A lot of teaching is "selling" as you know. By bringing a good attitude, excitement and enthusiasm you are getting your students engaged. For some it may never work but for those that do "get it" and become involved in the learning process then it is worth the effort because you have helped them move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi Malcolm,
It's funny to read your post because I just finished taking an algebra class! I hate to say this, but I do not like math at all! I would not have passed my class if it wasn't for my instructor! He was amazing! What I liked best about his class was that he would right out everything on the board and explain it all. Then he would give us problems to work on and he would personally walk around and help everyone try to figure it out! It was great!
Thanks,
Shannon
