I will let my students know that I understand the challenges they are facing in pursuing their education while working full time and with family commitments.
I will also show them the course materials are applicable to their future profession so they are motivated to do well.
Wow, that's quite a commitment to your students. This is an area I could use some improvement in. I will have to think of ways to send regular emails to keep contact with those students who don't interact very often with the online format at our campus.
I like to stress w/examples, what the knowledge gained will do for them in the real world. The more they learn from the work that they do, the more effective they will be, and the more likely they will be to get noticed for promotions.
Hi Quiana,
You have a great plan for keeping the energy level high in your class and continually supporting your students throughout the course. It is easy for them to get bogged down with everyday life while taking a class and let course progress get away from them. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I provide motivational quotes each week and regularly send e-mails to my students. I also IM them and call them sharing my adversity and my challenges when I was attending college. I put myself in their shoes and remember that I am a human first with feelings. I also like to form a communicating relationship with them and get to know alittle about them.
With that being said, I get to know how to motivate them and I always keep a positive energy level. The power of positive thinking will rub off on your students and they look to their professor for guidance. I also send inspirational videos for my students and take virtual field trips to motivational think banks.
I love motivating my student and using my example to help them reach their full potential. I also reward them and give them props for a job well done. Compliments also go a long way to brighten a student's day.
I try to relate the material to the world outside the classroom. How will it be usefull to the student in their chosen field? Guest speakers who are successfull in the students chosen field can also help to motivate them.
Hi Katie,
I like them as well. They really help to set the stage for my classes. They get my students talking, interacting, and laughing as they get settled into the course. They also let me observe the class and start to see how the dynamics are going to be in terms of student interactions and experience.
Gary
One of my main strategies for increasing student motivation is through ice breakers. Getting students to feel comfortable enough to communicate with you on the course subject matter is the key! Next, getting students interested in listening and wanting to respond to what you have to say is the next. I think that if instructors can figure out how to accomplish that, then we have a better shot at increasing student motivation.
Hi Dawn,
This is the difference between just being a student and being a career minded expansive learner.
Gary
I really like what you said about telling them it wasn't quite what you were looking for. Nothing is worse than being humiliated in front of a group of people you may have many classes with. If a teacher makes a person feel "stupid" they will be less motivated to learn because they think they can't.
Sometimes I think that students often forget that their education is not just to get a job but to be a well rounded, educated individual. This will help them on the job to be able to connect with clients and co-workers.
Being available for questions and answers small groups
Hi Jeffrey,
This is a great way of introducing excitement into the class. By having students to suggest topics as well shows that you are interested in their input and are willing to listen to their suggestions. This brings topics into the classroom that are relevant and have application to the lives of the students.
Gary
Learn the student's name. It makes them feel good. COmplaint them on the answers even if the answers are wrong. Tell them that is not quite what I was looking for, but it is a good answer
I agree with some of the ideas stated. Always remindeing students why they are here (in class) as this is part of their path to achieve their ideal career. Often the first class I try to learn a little more about the student so I can help them get the most out of the course. Hopefully I am able to bring in additional materials to help motivate the students interests as well.- Carrie
Some of the things that I have used in the past for student motivation include doing walk thru demos during class with some of the common questions that students have raised. Also, find something of interest to the group on the topic being covered and spend maybe 10 or 15 minutes a class on some of those topics. I have also had them submit ideas/topics that are of interest to them and then I spend a class covering some of those topics. Doing this I have found that I can still always tie it into the class topics and overall learning goals of the class.
I attempt to relate motivation to the workplace. I frequently remind the student how the motivated and more productive employee is typically the one that ends up with the monetary bonuses or approved time off requests.
Hi Elizabeth,
Good point about motivation. What are some strategies you use to help the students develop their own motivation?
Gary
I like to make the students find thier own motivation. No one is going to pay good money for an education without a reason. They need to be motivated when I am not there to push them.
