One thing I hear often is, "Why do we have to learn this?" or, "When am I ever going to use this?" I think motivation comes not only from learning the course objectives, but knowing how they will apply that knowledge in the future. I will usually give scenarios in the classroom for how this knowledge is used in the real world - and, often, how the students themselves already use it but don't realize it. Information literacy is my subject, and the students are impressed when I've shown them that they already evaluate sources, and that they already use keywords (when texting) and subject terms (i.e., tags in Facebook). It helps them to understand things better, and they are more motivated.
Hi Theresa,
Good way to help set the students at ease as well as help them to understand course expectations. Knowing that they have your support is very important especially if they students are first generation college students. You are impacting their future in many ways as a result of your efforts.
Gary
I let the students know from the beginning what I expect of them, provide them appreciation when they reach or even surpass my expectations, and that I personally believe that they can suceed not only in my class but also in life.
I also give them feedback on thier work and with class discussions. I believe that sometimes just letting a student know on an individual bases that you care about them as a person and believe in them; it can mean the difference between thier success or failure in life. Many of our students are first time college students (of thier families) and it can take only one person to believe in them to change thier lives.
A couple things I liked to do, would be to pose questions within my lectures and then student repond. There are usually positive responses so this allows me to give postivie feedback which can be motivating. Also I point out on assignment that have been submitted what students have done well on assignments which can also be something that is motivating.
Dr. Gary,
Thanks for your valued comments.
Joanna
Hi Joanna,
Thank you for sharing your own story about your successes and challenges as a student. Also, that you get to see the students from beginning to end in terms of their educational journey. I know these components help with the motivation of students that feel that you don't understand them. You can and do because you have been where they are and have conquered even greater challenges than they face.
Gary
I try to work with student motivation in many ways. I let each student know that I see them as adult learners rather than just students. They can talk with me about personal issues which can hinder thier learning process.
During my introduction (which students get a more formally written one on the 1st day of class), I let them know about my sezuires and learning disabilities. I explain where I was before I became a student at the same campus and how I got where I am today. Basicily I tell them that if I can do it, by just having a couple of teachers believe in me, then they can do it also. I let them know that I will be here along the way.
I also tell them that I will see them at graduation. I actually get to because in the past few years it has been my job to hand everything to our Director, who then hands it to the students. I get to see them from when they start school until they walk across the stage.
Hi Cheyney,
I think this is a great idea. The students get to stay in their comfort zone while getting settled into the class and well as helping to build their self confidence for when they have to take risks as they get more advanced in their training.
Gary
Having a "free day" of cooking in the beginning of a phase where students can cook something there are familiar with gives good footing to everyone. Drawing similarities between cooking methods of classmates and classical cooking methods removes alot of the fears.
My theory on motivation is if I'm not excited and motivated to teach the course, how will I expect anyone else to be motivated as well? Seeing immediate results from a complex problem and helping students along the way, step by step, is one sure way to give students motivation regarding accomplishments and courage to try different things while not being afraid to fail to become successful.
I start each class with a review of what I have planned for the class time with time frames. This followed by a Q&A of last weeks class, assignments, and etc. I think the students are more motivated when they know what to expect. I also ask them if they are OK with what I have planned. It is 'our' class, not just mine. I am always open for ideas on how to improve student motivation and am looking forward to receiving posts from other instructors.
After obtaining input from my students from introductory activities such as "survey to small group discussion" handouts, I review them for connectivity to textbook examples. As the pace of course leads to these chapter examples, I ask the students to participate by answering quesitons or sharing personal stories related to their example. Another strategy I use is to ask the student in advance to help provide insight to the class in oral presentation format related to one of their examples. When students take ownership to their learning and are willing to share to discuss their life experiences, it becomes a strong motivator to the learning environment I desire.
Hi Lisa,
This is a great strategy to use because the students can see the projects in steps and not become overwhelmed. This approach reminds me of the age old question--"How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time.". Of this begs the question why would you want to eat an elephant in the first place but it does make the point about using small steps to get to completion.
Gary
We have a time line for each project in class which the student will receive a grade for accordingly. That can seem daunting to some students. To help keep them motivated, we break down the projects into daily goals with each student at the start of each day. This seems to take the pressure off of the whole project and help them focus on smaller parts of the job.
Hi Gayle,
You ask a very good question about class reactions. I don't have a good answer to your question though I have experienced it many times. I often teach the two sections of the same course and find one will be up beat excited and very interactive. The next class will be as you mentioned yours was, dead and non-responsive.
These kinds of reactions really puzzle me because I like you have a bag of tricks I use that are always successful in getting students ramped up and ready to go. The non-responsive low energy classes just set there and stare. What I do is to break them up into groups and give them assignments so they will start talking among themselves. This generally gets them going but they never really get to where the high energy class is.
Gary
That first meeting your best chance to motivate students by showing your enthusiam for the subject, learning from your students what hey expect from the class and what they plan for the future. I have to admit I had one class that was dead, no energy, no spark. It was hard to get responses from them, discussions went nowhere. All my tricks didn't seem to work. Thankfully, the next class was back to what I was use to seeing. Does it happen that way that one group will just not be as energenic? Is it just the composition of the group?
1. Let them see you are passionate about what you are teaching
2. Be sure you can always explain or prove the revelance of what you're teaching
3. Teach to everyone's learning style
4. Keep your class moving in multiple directions to evade boredom and increase interest: class trips, guest lecturers, videos, power point presentations, labs
Hi Geralyn,
Keep up your efforts because they are having an impact on your students, even those who appear not to be a home. These students have the light come on at times within the course and they have "ah-ha" moments and it is at this time you see the value of your efforts.
Gary
I am new to being an adult instructor so bear with me. I could be more passoniate during my lectures, and have more hands on demostration to hold their attention.
I cannot tell you what motivates some students and I see a spark in their eyes and then in some I wonder if anyone is at home.
Hi Marisa,
This is a great way to connect the classroom to the community plus the students get to apply what they are learning. The exposure should help them to make application of what language they have acquired and then expand the use of the language.
Gary
