My students are motivated by changing their activities frequently, every thirty or forty five minutes. We frequently switch from lecture to lab to some other individual or group activity. This "change of state" recaptures their interest and keeps them motivated.
In the area of professional standards we constantly remind them of professional expectations in their future workplace. We let them know our standards are determined by our advisory board (their future employers) not by the school.
I use the comparision for what their learning goals are compared to the lack of this knowledge of people that are already employed in the feild where they are going. Also relating how this will affect their earning abilities once they have achieved this goal.
I think one of the greatest motivators is bringing in the big picture of how a particular course ties in with their career. Making the content exciting and valuable will also help.
I find that students love real world examples showing them that they will apply what they learn on a daily basis. At the end of the day a few minutes of fun such as a corny joke of the day is also something they love and want to earn for a good job done today.
Hi Deborah,
I have never felt comfortable posting such performance results up where everyone can see. I feel that those scores (achievement, test, etc.) are between the instructor and the student. If the student decides to share the scores with other students that is their business, but certainly not mine. What happens if the scores are made public the students are never sure what other issues might be made public so they tend to shy away from confiding in the instructor if they are having problems in the class or outside of class that impact their performance in the class. It creates a barrier that is hard to overcome.
Gary
Hi Mark,
Sounds like a great idea. Need to know just what day those ribs and wings show up. Good motivator for your students and sets the tone for the entire class since there is a reward at the end for them working hard beyond just the learning that occurs.
Gary
I feel that it does not help unless it is in a group situation or team effort that is being posted. Such as 5 groups trying for top numbers in a skill range. Then the the group shares in the burden of low scores or placeing at NO.1. In this group frame work they tend to teach each other and bond as a team. Learning from each other, and working together knowing that getting the task right is key to all members of the team.
One motivational method that another instructor uses is posting the achievement levels on the wall for everyone to see. After talking with some of my students, most say that they do not want their statistics posted publically. Do you think this helps or hurts?
I have been sitting through several classes the passed couple of months. I have noticed, along with what has been said by several others, that it helps to keep students motivated by applying the subject of the day to your experiences in the field. When students know that they will actually be putting their knowledge to work soon, I believe they will want to understand it more.
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS JUST BEFORE THE STUDENTS GO ON BREAK I PASS OUT SNACKS THEN AFTER BREAK I PUT OINK CLUCK MOO ON THE BOARD HAVE THE STUDENTS PUT A TALLY MARK UNDER THE ONES THEY LIKE IF THEY WORK HARD AND GET ALONG WE HAVE FUN AND ON OUR SECOND TO LAST DAY OF CLASS WE HAVE RIBS AND WINGS THEY HEAR ABOUT IT FROM THE PREVIOUS CLASSES THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES WORK HARD AND THEY POLICE EACH OTHER IT BRINGS A GOOD ATMOSPHERE TO THE CLASS
I happen to be a working professional in my field of lecture, so it is not difficult for me to utilize "Real world" issues confronting my students in my classes, For instance: I find that by creating mini case studies for them to work on in groups is an effecrtive way for them to create critical thinking, and problem solving skills. This is particularly apt in my geographic region due to the plethora of cultures that may have different concepts of people management.
the idea of pizza or doughnuts are good I have used them with success in my classes. Also telling them what to expect in the industry they have chosen. Day to day talking about the relevance of the lab's or lecture is a must! Any one by it's self can fail the students.
I also believe in open and public praise in front of their peers and the staff that they are working with. Praise is the best motivator for increasing performance and self esteem.
I make sure to find something positive about each student's performance in that days post conference and share it with the group.
This most definately helps make the group more cohesive because they like to hear the praise and want to work harder for more. Praise is a win win situation for all but it has to be truthful honest and accurate.
Hi Steve,
The motivators have to based upon something of value to the students. Using examples of salaries and successful graduates are always good motivators. As for course work you can reward the students for work well done and on time with various things, ranging from a comment on their papers/projects to an occasional event, like pizza or doughnuts. The key is to find what the students really want to strive for and then make that a part of your course reward program.
Gary
I find that by raising the expectations to a similr level to what they will see in their working lives helps to motivate them. So often they look at classes as a "make Believe" world that they do not take the class seriously and thus they are not motivated properly. By explaining that what they accomplish in class can directly relate to their success in the field often times helps to motivate their performance to a higher level. I try to keep it realistic, but at the same time challenging so that they continue to grow hungry and look for more. I openly praise success and we openly discuss opportunities for success. This helps to make the students desire the praise and also helps to bond them together as a team.
