Hi Margaret,
Way to go in your effort to spark their interest and help them to see the application of what you are teaching them. Effective communicators are needed no matter what field one works in.
Gary
I teach a 5-credit Speech class at a culinary school. This class is in their first term, so it is my job to kindle their spark and ignite the fire of success.
I use a lot of team building, hands-on, interactive activities and reinforce the relevancy of what they are learning to student and real life success.
I also reinforce that each and every one of them is an "A" student, very capable of succeeding and attaining their goals.
Hi Diane,
Your remarks are right on with the challenges of working in an online environment. Thank you for sharing your strategy of how the skill of working in a group will benefit them later on in their work life when team projects will require their ability to with diverse team members. As we all know this is a real skill requiring much expertise in order to be effective.
Gary
Group projects tend to cause student revolt in an online environment because team members often reside in numerous time zones. Furthermore, time constraints are a huge obstacle. Nonetheless, group projects are essential in IT programs as most activities in this area in the real-world involve teams. Motivating students away from the grumbling requires reminding them of the importance of team projects. One way of doing this is pointing out that one of the "skills" sought out by employers are team skills. Students need to be reminded of this along with the fact that academic programs that include group project really are an opportunity to hone their team skills. Great point!
Jorge, I can see where that would create much enthusiasm in students. Curious if there are issues admitting students to your workplace. Would you simply arrange for the class to be conducted in a conference room? How difficult are the logistics for this?
Motivating students in a technology course can be done by understanding the complex concepts and ensuring that students achieve a reasonable knowledge level. For example, in teaching networking one very complicated area is subnetting. It plagues many whether they are completely new or whether they have worked in the field. If a student walks away with more familiarity about the topic, they get very motivated. If this can be done early and consistently throughout the session, students get very excited about the area of study. In planning your lectures, coming up with an important topic to cover in each class can definitely motivate students.
I teach a software program for use in the design/architecture profession...I try to motivate the students by hosting one of the classes in our corporate office to inspire them on both the design aspect of their field of study and also have them see what the work environment is like and give them a chance to interact with my peers.
As an instructor who teaches an art history to students who are required to take the class, I try to give examples of how the skills that they learn in my class, in terms of learning about, critiquing, and discussing works of art, are skills that translate to their future careers in interior design, commercial photography, etc. I also combine lectures and in-class discussions with field trips to museums so that the students have different environments to learn in. Lastly, I understand that some students are inherently shy so I consider reading aloud from an assigned reading as part of their participation grade and will call on them to do that reading in class.
I am teaching a motorcycle mechanics class and to help motivate them,I have asked my students who they would want to hear from as a guest speaker in our class. They chose a local race team owner who is a cutting edge leader in his field. My class is now showing a measurable increase in motivation, in anticipation of his arrival.
Brian
I am teaching Interior Design Thesis classes, I show my students a variety of build project samples, personalized related to the projects they chose to work for the class.
The students are given projects which involve research a written critique documentation oral presentation physical examples of textiles and a presentation that may include powerpoint video demonstration or whatever technique best demostrates their topic. They are more invovled when they can be creative in the process and presentation.
The students are given projects which involve research a written critique documentation oral presentation physical examples of textiles and a presentation that may include powerpoint video demonstration or whatever technique best demostrates their topic. They are more invovled when they can be creative in the process and presentation.
Sometimes I have problems with motivation because I teach a required course that not all students are excited to take. To counter any pessimism, I try to convey my enthusiasm for the course and convey to them how the course IS relevant to their profession and future career. I give a short into lecture on the main themes and approaches in the course to make them feel comfortable with the material they will encounter. I also make sure to stress that there are certain assignments where they get to choose the topic/object of study, thus allowing them to tailor parts of the course to their interests.
great suggestion it really helps to be available to them and to encourage them to seek assistance when needed.
JS, RN, BSN
Strategies for increasing student motivation include,but are not limited to:
1. assisting the student in finding a relationship between content and their personal/professional goals.
2. Finding current/familiar examples or relevant activities and assignments.
3. Present as a motivated and energetic person.
4. Be available and positive.
Since, I believe, that true motivation is anm inside job, you have to relate the material to to a student's internalized goals.
It is important to have students stay motivated by reminding students their goals and objectives of the class and the importance of staying focused to reached their ultimate goal.
Hi David,
Great way to motivate your students. By seeing students that have been successful the current students can get inspired and motivated to work even harder to achieve their career goals.
Gary
Sometimes students have a hard time seeing the relevance of a particular class to achieving their goals. Some of them cannot even articulate what their goals are, how they are going to achieve them, or what makes them good candidates to achieve those particular goals. So at times motivating the students becomes getting them to initiate the process of rationalizing their aspirations, their skills, their priorities. As instructors, we should at all times motivate them on the basis of their potential and realistic goals. Maybe I tend them to "push" them a little more than I should, but I feel that the majority of students have a talent that shouldn't be wasted. I always try to challenge them or inspire them to find that potencial inside.
We make a practice of celebrating everytime a student gets a new job or externship in the field of study, and I make sure to follow up with the student on how well the job is going. Often they will readily discuss how skills they have learned in class are put to use in the field.
