I find that asking questions in a non threatening way to students by name helps to motivate them to learn. For example, "Jane, what are your thoughts about ...?"
It is an open ended question, allows Jane and opportunity to share her thoughts, makes her aware of my concern for her thoughts, and keeps her engaged for possible future questions too!!
One of the things that I do with the students is make sure that I am TALKING about the exciting things planned for them throughout the course. For example, if I know we have a field trip coming up, I remind them daily and we talk about how the trip is going to be. Get them excited that they will be able to go out into the community and share their knowledlge with others by prodiving them with a service.
Important topics that a student needs to digest can be overwhelming to say the least but if you approach the topics in a fun and interacting way the retention of the topic dynamics is greater. Play a game like Jeopardy for instance.
I try to relate the material that we discuss to current events and to their lives. It helps them see that what I'm teaching really does have a purpose. Also, I like to create exercises to do in class so that they can test themselves and even compete with each other. They're pretty proud of themselves when know something their classmates don't (and they should be proud).
I do my best to identify opportunities to connect the course materials to current trends, pop culture and other things that my students can relate to. I ask questions and develop exercises to engage my students, getting them to take ownership over their assignments. I give my students any opportunity to contribute to their learning experience by giving them options on assignments, presentation formats, extra credits, group projects, etc.
Hi Kim,
This is a very good point. By tying in both the emotional and skill aspects of career development you are preparing the total person rather than just one part.
Gary
I agree greatly with "treating students with respect." Along with that, I find that having students share their expertise or experience in the topic (ex. having the mother's in the class share stories of the development of their children- in a Child Development class). This shows students that they have some knowledge that will help them understand the topic, which motivates them to look for ways to contribute to the class.
Treating students with respect and reinforcing good behavior/classroom effort/excellent work.
To increase student motivation, I present myself as an expert in the field, and share with them real-life, career-related critical incidents (real stories).I also share with them my emotional reaction as a human and as a professional. I realized that when that happens, students become more motivated as well.
Hi Russell,
Student learning grouping can be of help to students in a number of ways. By exchanging information and ideas the students can see other approaches to how solve problems or ways to provide solutions. This helps them with their expertise as well as helping them with their abilities to work with others.
Gary
As a new instructor, I continuously search for new ways to motivate my new students. I find that pairing up my junior students with my senior eases the newer students transition and with that increased comfort level--- their motivation.
Hi Joan,
The key is to get the student to personalize the course to their career goals. With many different kinds of supports and encouragements you can get them moving the right direction in their motivation. Then when they start to see the return on investment (ROI) in their lives they get excited about the effort they are putting forth. It is like them seeing the "light at the end of the tunnel".
Gary
This is a great question and one that I would like to read answers about from other online professors. Motivation seems to be a concern because of the busy lives of many students. Providing information that is helpful to the completion of an assignment appears to work at times, but what are some other ways to motivate students?
Motiviation is personal in most cases, however I have found a few things that consistently presence themselves in teaching culinary arts: pride in production, opportunity for creativity and getting the grade. As such I include all three areas in the course description on day 1 identifying the way to get to have more of each. I try to structure my class so once basic skills have been met the student can utilize the balance of time to be creative, they can then share the additional work for group critique and have done the value added work to get a better grade for the day.
If a student struggles with a skill while another picks it up easily, they are not automatically graded down but graded for sincere effort and showing growth. In times like these it is also well to use peer to peer support.
Strategies for increasing student motivation include: showing the applicability of the course material to success in their career field or in life in general, demonstrating your enthusiasm for the course material, defining how the student can be successful in the course, encouraging a positive and enjoyable environment, chalenging the student.
I have been requiring completion of homework to introduce terms in the field of environmental science to students. Points are given for amount completed, which are added to the points total for the term. Students get interested in self-learning options, when there is a directed goal for their completion, where there are new and unfamiliar concepts in course content.
Hi Wayne,
This is also a instructional delivery model that is based upon personality. You are setting a tone with your students that you are a dedicated professional but you are also going to make the learning experience in your course as enjoyable as possible. This is a good blend between delivery and personality.
Gary
Hi Alfred,
These kinds of examples serve to illustrate what you are telling them as the instructor. This helps them to see they can have a rewarding future if they are willing to put forth the effort to acquire the needed knowledge and skills.
Gary
I try and relate the benefits of the students education in regards to their future. I point out the advantages of having a college degree in being a more desireable applicant for a job. I also point out the enhanced chances of promotion by having a college degree. I also relate a personal story in which my daughter applied for a job. After the screening had narrowed the field to her and another candidate she got the job. The hiring manager told her it was because she had a degree and the other candidate did not.
Best is to demonstrate how what the student will learn will pay off in the working world. For example, mastering the use of Matlab will pay off in that it is the tool of choice for systems engineering in most fields of endeavor. If I have EEs, I can show its extensive use in communications design and analysis. Everybody can see how it is best in class for matrix work. So I poll the students to find out what they imagine they will do in five years. I can always find a way that they will benefit from mastering the tool.
Secondly, I will let them know that it will be tested and be a basis for their grades.
