I like to provide personal experience either from myself or of a former student or another professional in their field of interest. I have former students come in from time to time for just some Q&A time. It helps remind the students that this is a long process and these feelings and experiences are normal and to have a recent graduate let them know that they too had these same emotions.
Gary,
I agree. Students really value and respect instructors that have "done it" and can share their experiences with them. These shared experiences help to reinforce the content being taught and keep the students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My most valuable motivational tool is based on my own experiences in the field. By giving my students real life examples and scenerios, it allows them to get excited about the field they are entering into. I believe that in order to motivate students, an instructor MUST have gained their trust and respect. With that trust and respect comes empowerment....which will lead them down the road that they are blindly traveling.
Chloe,
I agree with you comment in relation to the importance of the knowledge you are imparting to students. You are helping them to create a future for themselves through your instruction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think one important component of motivating students is clearly showing them that their learning in the classroom will be relevant to their future careers in the field. I try to clearly define the ways in which each subject is relevant in the field, and solicit discussion regularly to keep students involved.
Andrew,
Your two cents is very valuable because you are right on with your comments. This is what teaching should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Philip,
Students like to hear these stories because they help the content to come alive for them. The more you can reinforce what you are teaching with these real world examples the greater the retention there will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
To show enthusiasm about the course you are teaching and let your passion show through your mannerism and teaching of the materials. Also incorporating new labs and ways to teach the subject. Not keeping your lessons the same.
The most successful motivator I have come to use in my short time teaching, is probably just trying to make things fun. When I say that, it is not about being funny as an instructor, it is so the student realizes that they can learn a skill and practice it repeatedly without feeling a sense of fear. Every person who comes to a career college is trying to succeed at something, meaning they are most likely afraid to fail. So, if you postulate a environment that is friendly, without being a "pal" you are more likely to pull the most out of a student. Just my two cents!!
I try to give examples of how what they are learning can be applied to the real world setting. The best examples are the true stories illustrating the skills they are learning being used to help or even save a patient.
Share some of my past expierences in my field as an RDA/Office Manager
Lucinda,
Sounds like an exciting way to engage students in a subject area that they may not see as being as important to them as other courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Maria,
You are correct about some students. They are in need of finding their passion and field. Sometimes they enroll in programs just to have something to do rather than really being sold on what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Anthony,
This is so important. The more connection they can make between the course content and their future the more engaged they will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Nazanin,
You make a good point about passion for your field. I am sure you have had as have I an instructor that displayed an attitude of non-caring and no enthusiasm for what he/she was teaching. Those class sessions seem to last for hours when in fact they were only 50 minutes long. Painful to say the least. You are bringing to your students an enthusiasm that says I am honored to be able to share what I know with you and this attitude helps to "sell" the content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Donna,
Good point about the need for enthusiasm. It is for sure if the instructor is not excited about what is being taught the students are going to be. I want to known for my passion for my field and the opportunity to share with others. This helps my students to catch the "learning fever".
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I currently teach American History and work on motivating my students about the subject by telling them that they, too, have a history and the importance of having a personal history.
I truly beleive that some students do go to school for the wrong reason, this are the students that require our attention to motivate them and insure that they stay and school.
I teach them how it will apply to their careers. I also tell them stories about my professional experience
Students can sense the passion I have for my career and what I do besides teaching. This kind of caring and passion and enthusiasm is often what is missing in young people's lives and is exactly what attracts them to a specific profession. By showing them how they can be at their best by being on top of their field, they become engaged and motivated. "Case studies" are very helpful.
