Create a positive and excited classroom discussion regarding the material presented. If the instructor is not motivated to present the material, the students will see it.
Motivate student through clear instructions and information. Give them feedback on how they are doing and what they can do to improve.
Mark,
Right you are. Teaching is a total organizational and delivery package. As instructors we need to make sure we are prepared in each of the areas you mention if we are going to present our professional best and get our students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think everything we do contributes to this. Starting on time. The first five minutes. Going over the syllabus. Relating the course to the real world. Making it fun. Meaningful homework assignments. Using small groups to let the students meet each other. Letting students shine. Putting the emphasis on them, not on yourself. Bringing in extra stuff, current stuff, that relates to the class.
Melanie,
Good easy way to make learning both fun and engaging.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I make it fun. We go to a coffee shop and discuss and i also lecture. We take breaks and do 15 minutes of yoga. We play games, jeopardy with silly prizes and I constantly give them pep talks.
Tamikah,
I use case studies that I develop from current events. My students really like using their newly acquired knowledge to solve these studies and that greatly increases their engagement so I am a big fan of the strategy you are using.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rodney,
Excitement and passion are two essential ingredients for successful teaching if you are going to keep the students engaged. If you don't care about your field and the class it is for sure the students won't.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I would offer real-life scenarios concepts for the students. For example in my management class they are put into groups and have a real-life concept scenarios to acted out in class.
It make the student use analyzing and critical thinking when they have the chance to apply the applications they learned in class.
I have a passion for my field and being excited about presenting the information and instructions can help motivate students to listen and learn in class.
Tamikah,
Case studies and role playing are two great strategies to use. I use them a lot in my classes because they show the relevancy of the content to my students plus they are engaged at a much higher level when I am using them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Nancy,
I like your passion and enthusiasm for your subject area. I use case studies a lot in my teaching as well for the reasons you cite. They really help to keep the students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In previous courses I have applied real-life scenario concepts for the students. For example I have taught management and business courses put the student in groups and provided a case scenario for them. I had the students act out the scenarios in class to give them an idea of what goes in the real world.
It also gave the students a chance to interact with the other students and have a real audience to provide feedback.
I motivate leaners by using dental case studies. I teach in a dental hygiene program and case studies promote creative thinking and class dicussion, especially in my nutrition class. This is far more effective than just using power points.
Also, the students present a project about a nutrition counseling project that they presented to a patient in our clinic. They demonstrate course content knowledge and share with others their own discoveries.
It is a fun class to teach!
SHIVA,
They need to understand your high standards are reflective of the field so you are doing them a service by setting your standards high in the course. If they are successful in the course then they will be well prepared when they enter the field. Sometimes this is hard for them to grasp but keep reinforcing the reasons why you are doing what you are doing and they will get it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This has certainly been one of my difficult issues for my students. I try to inspire students to do well by holding them to a higher standard. In other words, I treat them as the intellegent professionals I know that they can become, they then start to view themselves in this manner. I believe that this can motivate them a lot.
By getting everyone involved. Giving incentives.By having group discussions and giving positive feedback
Philip,
Good point about being excited about your content. It is for sure that if you aren't they won't be either.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I maintain an enthusiastic attitude. I feel certain behaviors can be contagious. If I'm not excited how can they be? Training adults can be very difficult at times but I show them the benefits of learning a given subject such as financial gain or maybe just becoming a more well rounded employee.
Kristen,
If you don't let them know the course objectives then they won't know what is going to be accomplished, how they are going to be held accountable or where the course is going. They need to be clear and concise so they can be understood by all. Thanks for making this good point.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
