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Someone has mentioned this earlier, but I also like to take stories from the media and apply the content we are learning in the class. It helps to see the real-world application of the topics.

I also like to use "what if" scenarios to motivate student learning. I supply a scenario (typically one that has actually happened to me in the field or another professional) and ask what they would do based on what they've learned in the course. It's also interesting to do this at the beginning of a class session and then have the students reassess their answers after they have completed the class activities.

Jennifer Stevens

Hi Ann,
You are trying to make your course content relevant and real for your students. This is what teaching is all about. Well done. Keep up the good work.
Gary

Most times, my students are not planning to use my type of class in their future. My goal, as I expain to them, is to help them not be nervous or afraid of the subject, but to have a better understanding of it when they leave and maybe alittle interest in it.
Alot of time they come back to me and say while they never had envisioned themsevles using my class they grew to like the subject and have a better understanding of it.
I always (on a daily basis) inject a story from my work out in the field to make it real for them.
I try to lecture some but demonstrate more and this seems to get the interest of most of them.
Ann Mason

Most times, my students are not planning to use my type of class in their future. My goal, as I expain to them, is to help them not be nervous or afraid of the subject, but to have a better understanding of it when they leave and maybe alittle interest in it.
Alot of time they come back to me and say while they never had envisioned themsevles using my class they grew to like the subject and have a better understanding of it.
I always (on a daily basis) inject a story from my work out in the field to make it real for them.
I try to lecture some but demonstrate more and this seems to get the interest of most of them.
Ann Mason

By sharing your experiences with the students in the particular field of study. That will show your passion and excitement about your subject and will motivate students to become enthusiastic and want to learn.

I agree that personal experience is important in motivating students. Examples of challenges that I have overcome in order to gain the knowlege to be able to teach a particular subject. Relating myself to my students challenges gives me a perspective of what teacing direction I want to go in.

Hi Scott,
After exhausting the in class solutions I would suggest a talk with the student services office. These students are taking courses that will train them in a career area. If they are sleeping they are not learning and the college will not be turning out individuals that have the knowledge and skills to do the work. These students should be removed from the class or enrolled in a class at another time that is more to their liking in terms of not sleeping. We have colleges and instructors have to have standards and when those aren't met then we are not fulfilling our obligation to the other students.
Gary

TY Gary,
Yes, I have dropped books; slammed on the desk next to them to surprise them. I even had one instructor say to use a squirt gun--good thought,m but I am in a room of computers...:-)

Hi Scott,
Is there a way you can have pairs or groups of students work together on projects after you have given them the information? Is there a way for you to have the sleepers present a mini-point to the class? Anything to keep them a bit on edge or move them around to get the blood flowing. When mine drift off I will stop talking and the silence will wake them up, I also drop things to make noise. Noises that don't distract the class but don't disrupt the class.
Gary

I have a couple of students that constantly fall asleep in my class. Ihad found that the students fall asleep in other classes too.
I teach Computer Fundementals and I know some of the material is dry, but I need to give them the info. I have PPT presentations and I interact with the students by asking if they use or have seen the technology to work on getting them involved, but I seems like that doesn't work either.
What are some suggestions?
Scott

Hi Celia,
I know you are an enthusiastic instructor by the comments you have made in the forums. Keep it up. Students relate to someone that is excited about the field and sharing what they know about that field. This is a great aid in developing rapport which leads to both instructor and student success.
Gary

I try to be enthusiastic. I like to use real world examples and news articles whenever I can. I like to change things up, by mixing lectures with discussions and questions, with web research, with group creative activities and short student presentations or role plays and video cases or tv shows addressing the subject. Still, sometimes, I feel as if I am not reaching all the students as well as I would like. Celia Waldock

Mike - great ideas - lifelong learning and it's value is very applicable to my subject. Celia Waldock

Great idea. He also did a remarkable job with communication and using new technologies in his campaign. Celia Waldock

Good idea. And this would work well for marketing. I am probably providing too much material for review instead of having them bring it in. Celia Waldock

Sometimes my personal experiences with the subject are limited. And those do tend to be the classes where I struggle with motivating the unmotivated student. For example, I am teaching marketing right now. Of course everyone receives sales messages all the time and we can discuss personal experiences with that, but try to make some of the terminology have real meaning and it gets a little trickier.

Next quarter, I am teaching Human Resources Management and I have lots of personal experience and stories to highlight points. It is much easier to get those points across.

Celia Waldock

To everyone who replied, thanks for all the ideas. Lots of them I use and you've provided lots to think about. Some, like Lyn, who said it doesn't always apply to their field of study and showing them how helpful it can be to understand the world and be educated are new ideas for me, among other suggestions. I appreciate them all and will think about how to incorporate them. Celia

Be excited and motivated yourself; I have many students tell me they like my classes because I am enthusiastic about the subject; plus, I routinely try to convince them that what we are doing is important; I think teachers should spend time early on in a class getting the students excited about the class; I do this through examples and my own enthusiasm.

I show interest in the student's career goals. I ask them what they want to do when they finish school, and what they hope to be doing in 5 years. Then as I walk around the classroom and help/critique their baking efforts, I relate it to their goals, and give them examples of how their efforts will help them in the industry and in reaching their goals. If I have students who are struggling academically, I offer options to the whole class on how to earn extra points, then approach the struggling students and discuss individually how they can use that offer to improve their scores and standing in the class in an effort to reach their ultimate career goals.

I think by asking the students why they came to school and what they're goals after graduation would cause them to think about they're future but also get them motivated as well.

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