Teresa,
Great to hear about your excitement for expanding your professional development. I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I really enjoy the feedback and support from CEE. As a student of MaxKnowledge, it really motivates me! :-)
Teresa,
Way to go in setting the students up for success. You are showing them that success is possible if they are willing to invest the effort to acquire the needed skills and knowledge. Makes for a great course setting in the coming weeks.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I constantly remind them of the goal... to be licensed to perform their profession and hirable. To not just pass their boards, but to pass with flying colors and to be a more desirable employee than the next applicant. I try to help them not to worry about the small stuff, but to remember they were accepted into this program because they are brilliant and they have the ability to carry that brilliance into the profession.
Nazanin,
Instructors need to strive to connect the dots between the classroom and the real world. The more examples the students get to see and learn about the more excited they will be about the content being shared. They start to see themselves in their chosen career area and this reinforces why they have chosen to prepare to enter it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Increasing motivation in class can be achieved if the students see the material being relevant and applicable to the real world in their field of study. I ususally put a lot of focus on case studies and actual examples and let the students build a sense of belonging to the profession. There is no harm in letting them start thinking of themselves as if they have already graduated and already practicing what they have learned. It becomes really interesting and motivating.
Donald,
A person after my own style. I teach a 6 hour block and food is a powerful motivator plus we have good interaction when we take a snack break. I think some of the students come to class just to find out what the snack is for that night.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have a 4 hour class every Monday night. I use baked goods as a motivator. I make homemade cookies every Monday evening. :)
I find student motivation is reflective of the teacher energy and excitment about the subject matter. Students are truly motivated when the instructor is capable to connect the dots on how the subject matter is part of the big picture which their intended career.
Miriam,
I like your idea of having classroom etiquette. I think that our society has lost some of those social graces. I love the "owning it" idea, it think it would give the students an idea of exactly what is rude behavior according to someone else. Some people see nothing wrong with texting and getting on the internet, facebook or other sites while they are supposed to be paying attention in class and others see it as a personal affront. Great suggestion!
Shamika,
I use learning groups, case studies, role playing and games. Students will really get involved when they are working on "real life" situations and when competition is added they really get fired up. I use Jeopardy and Family Feud as the formats for the games we play for review in my classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also make these points too. It helps bring the real world to the class room and how they could utilize the knowledge they are receiving.
How you can increase student motivation is by getting them involved in the assignment in groups or one on one interaction. Also by creating some excitement in the subject.
Terry,
You are helping to connect the dots between the classroom and the content you are sharing with them. They are going to make use of that content in their careers so the more they see the value of it the better off they will be in terms of both the course and their work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My students are at a Career College. Therefore, I motivate them by relating how the subject matter relates to their future profession and give an example, when possible, when I utilized that knowledge on the job.
Bryan, that is a great and respectful protocal for the use of cell phones. I tell my students the same. I too have a family and have explained that my cell phone will remain in my bag on silent. When we take breaks is when I check mine for emergencies.
It is important to relay to the students that there are a lot of employers that do not for any reason allow cell phones, and by us having these polices will help teach them and help them to understand procedures.
Bronzel,
I use them in my class as well for the reasons you state. They really help to get students involved in the class and working with each other.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One strategies i use to motivation students is the use of ice breaker. To show the students that they have a lot in common. That seems to bring them all together.
Tim,
You are a great resource to and for your students as a result of your own career path. This really helps I am sure as you talk to your students and share with them the value of the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Bryan,
Nice respectful way to handle a situation that can be challenging.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
