Discussions - lots!, and being motivated and excited about my own career and sharing my stories to hopefully try and inspire everyone to want to learn more and continue to stay motivated and excited throughout the course and their career.
Team projects motivate students to interact with one another. It is a way for students to learn not only about the subject matter but also group dynamics.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing this great way of using the life experiences that the students bring to class but in such a way that they don't dominate the class nor share incorrect information.
Gary
I have notice a trait abou the adult learner that is perplexing. Some tend to think they know it all already and only want to share their knowledge as if it is more relevant than what you are conveying. I use this as a great way to illustrate that over time, we can develop a bias or point of view that may not be willing to see things in a different way. The adult learner has to be willing to say "What if..." and fill it in with a different way of thinking.
Guest speakers and field trips to places that relate to the class are great for motivating students. Doing a real life project also captivates students because they can relate to the project and the people involved.
By demonstrating its relevance to the selected career being pursued through examples/case studies.
I relate it to a real world experience or a personal funny story.
I prepare rigorously and become passionate about the subject matter.
My lectures are comfortable and interactive.
I like to positively acknowledge students for their contributions and express genuine interest in their thoughts.
Showing relevancy, professional guest speakers and graduate guest speakers are some ways to motivate learners.
Hi Elinore,
I am a big fan of "real life problem solving" situations as well. As you mention they really capture the attention of the students and they get to use their newly acquired knowledge and skills. This really helps with motivation.
Gary
For myself, there are two key approaches that I use to generate student enthusiasm for a subject, and they are:
1. Showing honest earnest interest in the subject that I am teaching.
2. Share examples and anecdotes from real-life situations which show how the course relates to them, especially in terms of resolving issues.
With regard to item #1 above, I discovered the importance of my own personal enthusiasm for a subject as the result of student evaluations and other forms of feedback. More than once, students have related that it was my own earnest interest (rather than my teaching techniques or skill, I reluctantly aver) which kept them engaged until the end.
With regard to #2 above, I found that, like case studies for business and ethics classes, anecdotes and examples provide an extremely rich learning experience for students both inside and outside the classroom. I am convinced that examples and anecdotes render otherwise dry material quite palatable.
As part of an associates in specialized business/technology degree program, I believe it is important to bring in real life scenerios to class. It captures the students attention when you say, for example: "Mr. Smith comes in with severe chest pain (angina), trouble breathing, and extreme sweats" what are you as the Medical Assistant to do?
Now you have their attention. I would go on to explain that you are the pt's first contact in the office (other than the front office staff).
You will determine how severe the pt's issues are, and have to know who to contact first, being the doctor or calling 911.
As an instructor you can show passion, commitment and excitement about topic at hand. Let students know that you belive in what you are teaching and be ready to answer questions in a possitive and encouraging manner.
A way to motivate them I beilive is reminding them about their learing succes from when they started as a brand new student. Ultimatly what their personal goals they want to accomplish.
Thank you for the wonderful listing of key items to note. I would only like to add that a safe learning environment promotes the physical, emotional, and social well-being of all the students. This includes fire drills to encouraging the shy and quiet. This means to be a contact resource (or know the resources) as well as knowing how to "students."
Michelle,
Thank you for your suggestions. The suggestions you gave me I have done in the past and am currently using to help motivate students. The techniques do work. Unfortunately though, even when you use these techniques the really "hard core" students, often still do not respond.
As a teacher, I want to help every students to achieve their pesonal and professional goals. However, learning is a partnership and, if a student does not work with the teacher, learning does not happen.
Hi Michelle,
Great list! Thanks for sharing it with us. This is a list that beginning instructors need to review as they get settled into their courses.
Gary
1. Love what you do and share it with others, enthusiasm is contagious.
2. Provide a safe learning environment for sharing information and participating in discussions. When there are gaps in experience, reframe questions so they are relevant to where that student is at that time. For example, if some students have limited work experience look for other ways they may have experienced a similar situation at school, playing sports, being part of a band, etc.
3. Relate the subject to things students are familiar with and can relate to, sports, music, technology, current events, etc.
4. Link conversations that may seem to be going off track back to the subject. Some subjects are easier to this than others.
5. Solicit and listen to students, what’s working and what is not working in the class, what is going on in other classes, at work, etc.
6. Frequent and consistent feedback, follow-up feedback when you see an improvement in their work, participation, etc.
I have found the strongest motivator is for students to see the direct correlation between the subject I am teaching (communication) and their personal and professional success. I try to bring "real life" experiences into the classroom, so that difficult to understand theory can be "brought to life".
Hi Beth,
Thank you for sharing this great example how making a change in delivery can greatly impact the learning process. I know this is going to be of help to other instructors going through this course.
Gary
