Esablishing Goals for school
One thing that I have done that helps and reminds students why they are here is having them set goals. I use this exercise with a class that is just starting. Every week when they meet with me about their grades, we go over the goal that they set for that week and see if they had met it or not.
I use both of these techniques, IN lecture talk of the future is very helpful. But I agree with Adrian about setting goals to improve in the areas where they are lacking. what better time to do this than during grade evaulation.
I don't meet with the students weekly to review grades (as my classes only meet once a week) - however - I do "put them in the future" by saying to them "in 3 years from now, when you're sitting at your new design job at your desk in your office, you will be able to (use this information or do this project or apply this technique) and I explain why it's relevant and important to their future job - I "put them" in the future - you should see their expressions as they "go" into the future in their imagination and "see" what I am talking about - it's great - it's a good motivator - they really pay attention after that.
