I always tell my students that I love what I do,and there is noting better than to get paid to do something you love.Also, when it comes to grading always end with a positive comment.
I agree Pamela, when I share personal experiences of working in the trade it really draws all the students in, they love it.
Motivating students can come from sharing personal experiences, showing interesting short videos and applying the subject to their day to day experiences.
Deliver the material using varied methods such as videos, an "expert" in the field gives a demonstration. Tie the subject matter to an experience you or they may of had. Can they find more information using mobile or personal devices. Encourage and reward research.
These are excellent tips Kim. When you can relate course material to what the student's professional goals are it generally perks up their ears a bit.
I also totally agree that enthusiasm on the instructor's part goes a long way in the classroom. There is a performance art aspect to running a class that is often overlooked. Enthusiasm for not only the material but particularly the students themselves goes a long way in my experience.
I try to use "out of the book" material and exercises to help students stay motivated. Real life examples, class discussion, visual aids, etc. all seem to help. Also, humor and not taking myself too seriously has helped.
I try to emphasize the real-world application of the material we are covering each class, or if it doesn't apply to their careers directly, I try to show that it pertains to other courses they are going to take in college.
Whenever possible, I incorporate a game or contest into the course material to show that learning can be fun.
And, by demonstrating my excitement for the course with an energetic attitude, I think that helps them to see that it is possible to be motivated to learn this material, even if they choose not to be motivated themselves.
Some topic, however, seem to be boring by default with little or no readily accessible real-world application (e.g., trigonometry). How a teacher motivates students in that case is something I'd be interested in learning about.
Hi Patricia,
You outline a good plan with balance to how you approach the classroom. As you mention the key is being reasonable with what you expect and know how to encourage and support all of your students.
Gary
I think motivation is also accomplished by setting reasonable academic performance expectations. If you are teaching above or below it is often either frustrating or disappointing. Therefore, you must learn to offer a course that can be accomplished by most learners.
In addition, you must be willing to challenge those that need it without making others uncomfortable and help those that are having trouble succeeding without embarrassment.
PAP
Hi Mike,
Great formula for helping students to develop into life long learners.
Gary
keep students informed of the course objectives and keep the materials interesting by explaining the material and relate it to real world examples. Students like to know the importance of this course to motivate them to study.
Here are a few ways to get students excited and motivate them as lifelong learners:
1) Be passionate about the material you are teaching. As a teacher, showing students that you are sincerely excited about the subject matter greatly improves the chances that they too will be excited to learn more about it.
2) As an introduction to each day's lesson, spend some time talking with the students about how knowledge of this particular topic will help them to gain mastery in their field.
3) Constantly stress the importance of being a life-long learner. As teachers, we all are contiually learning new things in our fields, and this is part of what makes an individual well rounded and able to meet whatever challenges we find ourselves facing.
Hi Terry,
This way there is no misunderstanding of the standards and why they are set as they are. They are based upon the standards of the career field for which they are preparing. They really need to understand that concept.
Gary
By holding the students up to the highest level of standards that they will face when entering their chosen trade, and allowing them to fail. If/when they fall short, kindly, but definitively let them know how their shortcoming would have been perceived in the industry, and the probable outcome of that. Then give them a shot to do it again, successfully.
Hi Chris,
With you open attitude of wanting to learn more about how to expand your abilities as an educator I know your students are going to benefit from your leadership. You listed a variety of ways you deliver instruction and that is key for keeping the interest of students. I wish you the best in your teaching.
Gary
I must always remain positive about the expectations of the course and the materials used.
Sincere compliments and encouragement can never go wrong either. You must be sincere in your actions as well. Promptness and a timely manner show you care.
Utilizing the therapeutic communication skills my students are learning about when I interact with them helps to reinforce and demonstrate the benefits of this type of communication.
Hi Dr. Meers,
I believe you have to be a great role model - to bring passion, energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the classroom. I try to infuse humor, real world examples, and great care and concern for learning to my course.
I hope my students know that I am fair but firm - I am excited to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with them. I use a lot of visual tools to give variety to my lessons. I also try to break up class - a mixture of lectures, demonstrations, and production so that students will not be bored.
I look forward to learning more skills/tools/tips in this course.
Thank you,
Chris Merlo
Hi Jennifer,
Good strategy because by creating such a connection you are giving them a picture of the future. When they get worn down by life and the efforts of going to school seeing the potential they have for the future will get them ramped up again.
Gary
Give them examples of industry experiences that relate to the material at hand. I try to always have an air of excitement about the days work, whether it is the most basic baking task or putting together a showpiece. Find out what they are looking for in the class and their goals for the future, then try to find ways to relate the material to that.
