I have found that motivation truly is a key to student success. The first key to unlock student motivation is my own enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is contagious in the classroom. The more enthusiastic I am about a topic, the more motivated the students are. So needless to say, as in the video, every topic is “my favorite.†Another key is demonstrating the subject matter application. I teach an introductory Chemistry course and one of the initial assignments during the first week is to have the students find examples of Chemistry around them to share with the class. The responses are always fascinating, ranging from product marketing materials to biochemical processes. In seeing the “real world†applications of the subject matter, the students realize that it is not an esoteric topic, which often motivates them to learn more about the subject.
I believe motivation starts with first impressions. Beginning a course by setting the standards and keeping to the standards shows professionalism. With that, the instructor can show their excitement for the content area. Excitement needs to come regardless if the instructor "likes" or "dislikes" the topic at hand. Always having a positive attitude can keep motivation and excitement in the course.
Sarah,
You make a number of very good points about how to motivate and encourage students. Your last sentence really puts it all together. A personal and private conversation can do so much to excite students about their futures as well as help to direct their behavior in the classroom. They know they have the support of someone that wants them to succeed.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Motivating internal versus external drive? I work in a career program that requires a substatial financial commitment by the student. It also requires time, hard work, dedication, and internal desire. I find, however, that the financial commitment is often the driving force. It seems some younger students of the "trophy" generation feel as if they have purchased their degree and that is their contribution to their education. Motivating them is sometimes a huge challenge especially when they're not doing well. It becomes the school's problem or the instructors problem. I asked one student why he was late with turning in his paperwork. He said that he shouldn't have to turn in anything considering how much he pays to attend school. I had another student tell me that they were paying my salary. Over time I have learned to lead by example. I love my career and I love being an educator. When I'm with students in clinial portion I lead by example. I don't ask them to do anything I wouldn't. I go out of my way to do the right thing no matter what. If there is something exciting on the floor I will vouteer my time to stay late so they can have that opportunity to be a part of that experience. I do not drag my students though. I will not work harder than any of them. It's a fine balance and I find open communication to be key as well as defining clear expectations. I believe in firm, fair, and consistent, so none of my students ever have to guess where they stand. Frequent praise and frequent feedback are also harmarks to my style. But occasionally I will have one student who is doing this for the wrong reasons. They want to graduate to get a job but don't have any sense of personal accountability or responsibilty and if you attempt to redirect them it becomes an issue of a pricey tuition. I feel as though I'm getting better at handeling these situations. Part of it entails managing the situation quickly. I used to hope it might just go away or get better on it's own, but I find that is never the case. Without a direct private conversation it never seems to improve.
Russell,
I think this is a good approach since you are showing the students their accomplishments in sequence. This growth really helps to keep them engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Staying motivated is the key to success as a student. I ask my students to set up short-term goals. I tell my students to celebrate each short-term goal they achieve. Recognizing the accomplishment of each little goal will lead to the students ability to stay focused on their long-term goals.
Roger,
Money does talk. Knowing they have such earning potential is a good motivator for students that start to question the value of what they are being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Michael,
I use former students in my classes for the reason you state. They really help to motivate and inspire the current students to stay in school and be successful in the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I use the amount of money that can be earned in this field as apposed to what they earn now as a motivator
You make a great point about fear, a lot of my students have never succeeded at anything positive and are grasping for anything at this point in their lives. I try to show them that they can succeed. Former students doing well are a great inspiration to the students.
Dean,
Good example of successful teaching. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Abdul,
Students like to hear their instructor's success stories. These stories help to make the content more real for them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rhonda,
You are right about the need for student engagement. Knowing that someone cares about them and their success is important to their retention and effort in the course. The more engagement we can offer the greater their success is going to be if they will put forth the effort.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Enthusiasm, creativity and relevance are motivating factors that enhance student learning. When I focus on engaging, relevant and creative activities, especially when I change teaching methodologies every 10-15 minutes, students are motivated to learn.
Ways to help students become more motivated and excited. Are re-ensure them that they have made the right decision on the chosen career path. Use life experience of why you are in the field. Give them positive and negative feedback, and ways to correct any mistake that they may have made.
To motivate my students I always tell them my personal story. How I too struggled when I was going to college and all the steps that I had gone through before I reached where I am now. Then I let them know that they could do the same too.
I find students each term that are going through motions of getting a degree. They are not motivated. They would be happy with a B-. One of the ways I am able to draw students into the subject is in the live chats. Asking questions or expanding on an answer a student has given gets the juices flowing sometimes with students that seem to be blah. I feel sometimes that students want to know that someone is really listening to them and not just going through the motions as an instructor.
One of the best ways to motivate students is to be a motivated instructor. Being interested in class topic and creating enthusiasm for subject taught helps students become interested and motivated to learn.
Penny Weis
Aesthetics Instructor
Demonstrations work well and then have the student try something hands on.
Mark,
Enthusiasm is catching so bring it to the classroom. There will be great benefits from it as you have experienced.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
