Staying a interesting instructor
How do you stay a interesting instructor to the students without being the instructor they avoid. I teach College Algebra and when you say Math you get this a Oh, no!!! look.
Robert,
This is a common challenge that instructors face. Students do not realize they have to have a solid foundation upon which to build their future. Once they get that in their heads then they start to become engaged and see the value of what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sometimes, I have had to deal with a similar issue but one that the students do not see the need to learn this but as a professional in the field they are striving to become, I know that they need to know. Sometimes, I feel that because I am an older professional that they think that they will not need to know the basics. However, they always return and tell me later how much they appreciate me holding them to the standard of learning the basics. The basics hardly ever change but sometimes some students do not believe it. I do what I can but would love some hints on this subject.
Donald,
This is how you capture their interest right from the beginning and then build on it from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students are attentive as the course begins. Is the introduction of new activities as course progresses a realistic approach to stimulating student interest.
David,
Thank you for this good advice to the Algebra instructor. Your information is right on because as you and I know the more application of content we can make the greater the retention of the information will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach Business Law which is entirely different from Algebra. In fact, I went to law school to avoid math (it didn't work). I find that if I can make the concepts real to my students by giving them real world examples of what I am discussing, the concepts hit home. Maybe try giving examples of how algera will come in handy in their work lives.
Amy,
I think this is a very important step to follow. Your comments reflect the need to create "value" in the minds of the students for the content that is going to be presented. With value comes investment and you are helping to develop that with your approach. Thanks for sharing this important part of preparation with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found it helpful to review each weeks' class material ahead of time and ask myself "WHY"... not the 'why do they NEED to know this', because that is obvious, but rather 'why would they WANT to know it'.
In thinking this through and answering that question, I can come up with and provide real world examples and related experience stories of my own or through research that helps them connect to the material. It goes back to the very first questions little humans ask when they start discovering the world - less of 'what is that', and more of 'why does it matter to me?!' This need for a personal connection to a topic never ends.
Khaison,
Great question. The answer is to create examples and situations where students use algebra in their every day lives. The more applications that can be made to their fields the more engagement there will be. Not an easy task but a most worthwhile one.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
