Hi Toni,
Good point. It is better to take risks in the classroom with an instructor there to help you. This approach lets you learn in an environment that is supportive.
Gary
One strategy for increasing student motivation is to make the course exciting for them. If you continuously lecture every time the students come to class, you are speaking to them and not involving them. I think a dialogue would benefit each student because once they know there is a possibility when they come to class that they could be asked questions about the text they should have read, they know it is in their best interest to be prepared for class. The flip side of that could be that the student will avoid the class altogether if they did not read the assignment. I think most people would still attend class in the hopes of not being called on and still getting educated from the discussion.
One of the strategies I engage is to get the students to take ownership in the learning process. I like to assign groups to course content presentation and then allow them to be evaluated by their peers as well as by myself. I let them chose certain groups and I chose certain groups so they feel they have a say but I still am able to push them out of their comfort zone as well. I also open the door for conversation about my rationales and encourage them to look at all concerns as opportunities that will be presented to them in the working world. An example is that students often complain about forced group projects and being "juddged" on someone else's efforts - I am able to remind them that is exactly what happens in the work world and that this is a "safe" place to learn the skills needed to deal with this situation.
I am currently teaching drawing courses for a video game design degree. I've had a handful of students tell me, "I can't draw, I don't like drawing, I want to do modeling/programming/rigging/etc. so I don't even need this class."
In response, I always try to focus on even though there is very little drawing involved with programming or rigging, in the end we are all trying to create a piece of visual communication. Having some training in drawing will always make you more valuable, no matter what position you are trying to persue, because it will help you have a stronger understanding of visual communication. This helps them understand the importance of the class.
I then follow up with; "My students have varying skill levels of draftsmanship. I do not grade based off of how good the drawing is. I take into consideration your current skill level, and your grade is based off of your effort in utilizing the techniques I am showing you in the class." This helps put them at ease by showing them an amount of fairness in the grading, and how it will not be hopeless if they are a poor draftsman.
Besides all the great points posted, of which I agree with. I think another way to keep students motivated is through there own progress.
Keep records of their previous work and hand it back mid course so that they see how they have grown.
or encourage them to keep all their work themselves so they can document their progress.
of course this mathod would have to be adjusted in terms of how the class is presented/its subject
Students come into the graphic design curriculum where I teach for 4 reasons. The first and best reason is because they want to go into the field of graphic design and they have a semi-good idea of what it is about. The second reason is that they want to get into the field but only have a vague idea of what it's about. The third is that they picked the field because it sounds good but they have no idea what it is. The forth and worst reason is that they picked the field and are going to school to please someone else (parents). Graphic design, unlike some other fields, requires an element of aesthetic development of the student. They can't simply learn a skill, like how to use Photoshop. We can reach all four types of student and we can engage them if we really reach out them regarding what the field is about. This requires making it very clear what the reward is for achieving a certain level of skill, proficiency, and aesthetic development. I like to outline and review hourly rates and salaries. I refer to national surveys. Money is a great motivator.
Hi Angela,
Good point. The key is to make the connection between the classroom and the real world. The content and activities need to be coordinated so the students will be able to make the transition from the educational setting to the work world.
Gary
Indeed the goals are for the students to know the course content. Our position is ultimately hope that the students have reached theri academic goals and how they apply the didactic skills they have learned in their practice.
What a great story. I too feel that it is the job of the instructor that if a student has a special case, but they are willing to work with you, you should be willing to work with them. It is important for students to succeed and we can do that. You may have been the one instructor that really have her a chance and that may have changed her whole outlook on life!!!! Great Job
By attempting to find out what the student may have for hobbies or goals in life and can at times tailor the instruction to better meet those items. When a person can see how something can relate to something they already like to do it is much easier to make the learning connection.
I agree with this statement. Telling the students just how the course and its objectives will "pay off" in their career field really seems to perk everyone's ears up and helps them take the course and its content much more seriously. Showing a direct, tangible link to real life makes the course content live and breath. Content has context and objectives take on true purpose.
Graham, this is good point, too!! I have used the example of an office administrator who sent and email to all employees (I was one of them), and there were many typos, misspelled words, etc. The office adminstrator either was unaware of this or she did not care. Good post!! :-)
One of the things that I do to increase student motivation is use anecdotes/stories that my students can relate to. I once had a student who was in the hospital recovering from chemotherapy treatment. In her hospital bed, she COMPLETED the course work and passed the class!!! She only asked for an extension on the assignments twice during that session (online student). She was determined to make her goals a reality!
At one time or another, there's a very good chance a student may wonder "What, when, where and why am I going to use what I'm learning today in the real world?" I find that showing "real life" examples of what they are learning helps them see why they are putting in the effort to truly learn what is being placed in front of them. Understanding that it's valid and important is a great motivator for a student to be engaged to their full potential.
Most of my students have been in cohort groups and know each other pretty well. However, many have seemed to be very interested in how the class material will relate to the real world and what they hope to be doing.
It is exciting to motivate students according to their need.
Hi Michael,
I like this way of creating a baseline on your students. From there you can build the instructional plan that you want to use for the course. You can customize it because you know your students' needs.
Gary
Make things tangible by going back to the basics & build up from there. Sometimes students try to come up with answers from the clouds but can't back it up. There foundation is weak or just not there, so in essence, they can't see cause & effect(benefit). This is how they become excited about what they see(results)which increases their comprehension & confidence.
I like to use a Needs Assessment on day 1. This is a brief 3-question questionnaire that asks them:
What they already know about the course content
What they hope to learn
How they plan on using it in the industry.
This has mny purposes: it helps me understand their incoming level of understanding, it allows me to adjust the class to their needs, and it shows them the benefit of their education towards their success.
Hi Maria,
Good way to keep the students looking for designs on an international level by calling attention to events like major award shows. This way the students can start to see themselves in design situations such as that.
Gary
