Boosting morale
I try to exude a positive attitude with all my students and encourage them when they participate. Are there any other methods to boost morale?
Jeremy,
Good for you and your approach. You are showing your personal side in relation to your rapport with your students. This is very important to provide such support and as a result your students will be more engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In order to boost morale, I focus on them as individuals as well as a group. I like a small level of personal interaction before classes or after classes in order to find out what their motivation factors are, such as kids, career, improved lifestyle, etc. Then I help keep them focused by using those factors to motivate them. I also treat them as individuals, but equals. Some students enjoy the pat on the back, others feel it is not necessary. I try to motivate based on the individual, not just the group.
Lisa,
I think this is a very valuable resource for the current students. By helping them to network with former students they are creating connections that will be of help many times over in the future. In addition they get to see how former students are using the course content and that increases the value students see in what they are studying.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I allow my current students to work with and network with former students. It allows them the opportunity to ask questions of the real world and gives them the motivation that they too may succeed.
Philip,
This is what connecting the dots between course content and career application is about. The students need to see the value of what is being taught in relation to their career goals. When they do then they are forward focused in their learning progress.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Positive reinforcement, illustrating the real world benefit of what they have learned, and some fun competition among the students now and then.
Keeping a positive attitude is a very easy way to boost morale, during my lecture I always like to, when I can, give students scenario's that I encountered while in the field to make them aware of way to be efficient.
Michael,
Make sure you know the policy of your school about attendance and then enforce your attendance policy based upon the fact that your school will support what you are doing. Then tie attendance to grade through assignments, class participation, etc.. I also give 10% of the final grade under a heading I call "Professional Points". The PP are enough to change a letter grade for a student that does not attend class enough or is tardy. My students work hard to earn their PP because I promote them a lot and how they reflect on their future because they are a part of soft skill development and career success. For the most part this works. There are some students that cannot be reached and I do my best to support them but I also encourage them to find a career area that is of higher interest to them so they will attend class and be successful in it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I seem to be having attendance issues any suggestions?
Learn their names, treat them as equals, not subordinates, while maintaining still maintaining a clear line. Goes a long way
Glenn,
Bring in some graduates and have them share their stories. These guest speakers will increase the motivation levels of the students as well as help the students to see the value of the content being offered. I use competitions and games to review the material and my students really get ramped up about playing the games and sharing the information.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
