Classroom Management
How to cope challenges with unmotivated students.
Hi Susan,
Good point about how to provide a simple solution to a organizational problem. Kids are kids no matter if they are 6 or 30 so we need to help them know where and how to store their materials.
Gary
I agree. I teach several classes that I give out tons of study materials each week for the students to have for their boards. I noticed at teh end of the quarter students would come back and say I am missig that or I never got it when I know they did- they have lost it in the mix of being unorganized. So now as a HW assingment they have to bring in a 3 ring notebook. Its amazing how something that simple helps them stay organized. I make sure everything I give them already has the holes punched in there. Now when I say pull out such and such they go right to it. It sounds simple, but students in their mind think they can keep up with everything when in reality it ends up being a clutterd mess in their books.
Hi Rebekah,
This is so important to give to students. They need to see how they can accomplish all that is required of them while still remaining sane throughout the course. Life can overtake them and then they lose their way in the course.
Gary
If a student seems unmotivated, it is often because he/she is feeling overwhelmed due to a lack of organization. i teach my students to "eat the steak" one bight at a time. If they can see any light at the end of the tunnel, it gives them hope and hope equals motivation.
Hi David,
This is a good way to build a relationship with your students. You are earning their respect while developing rapport with them. This is the set up for a successful course for everyone.
Gary
I find that it is helpful to talk with them to see why they are in the class or field of study and try to address what brought them to the class in the first place
Hi Melissa,
You are giving them a success gift when you help them learn how to organize their note taking and assignment development. As you say these are skills they don't have and you are giving them a chance to acquire such skills which will lead to a much higher retention rate.
Gary
Often, students who lack motivation often lack organizational skills. I have found it is often beneficial to help those students get and stay organized. We assume they have these basic skills as college students, but many of them failed to develop a good organizational strategy in high school. Getting and staying organized is often a key factor in successfully completing a college course.
I think that students may seem unmotivated if your instructional style doesn't match their learning style. I am a visual learner, so even if I am interested in the content, too much lecture doesn't keep me engaged. I try to incorporate auditory, visual, and kinetic activities into my classes whenever possible so no one loses interest.
I find it most effective to put my energy into the motivated students. It's not my job as a teacher to sell students on the value of my class; it's my job to provide solid training to those receptive to it.
I agree the more examples you use there more they like to listen.
Hi Luis,
Make the content interesting and engaging. Use stories, examples, case studies and learning groups to get the students focused on the content and how it can benefit them from learning it.
Gary
