motivating students who are not easily motivated
hi... i teach culinary arts and it seems as of late i have many new students who are simply in school to pass time. i often take it personal when i cant motivate them...any suggestions?
Hi Kristine,
Thank you for sharing the reality of being an instructor. You are right you can't save them all, even when you want to. Try not to let these few ruin the class for others. Focus on the students that want to be there and encourage all you can those students that aren't putting forth much effort. The bottom line though is these students have chosen to enroll in your college and take your class as a part of their career development. If they chose not to participate or fail the course it is their choice, as sad as that is.
Gary
I know what you mean - I take it personally when a handful of students seem disinterested. I have a group of students who always take and are engaged, and then a few students (who sit in the back) who look bored and don't ever talk. I have started going around the room to solicit answers from each student, and I walk to the back a LOT to ensure they realize I notice them. It is frustrating when they pass notes (as if we don't notice!) or, worse, when I tell them to "write this down" and they don't even move to find a writing utensil! One of these students is failing my class. I told her to start showing up more regularly and to find a tutor or come to me for help, and she hasn't done either. I figure you can't save everyone.
During the first session of a class, I ask them to introduce themselves and state why they are in this particular class; yes, it is required, but what skills do you want to aquire? How will this class help you in your next class? I teach Clothing Construction, and this is a building block for the next three years of their education. When they realize they need my class to be successful down the road, it usually gets their attention.
Hi Stephanie,
The more you can "connect the dots" for students the better your responses will be. You are on the right track with your hands-on activities and relevancy strategies. I wish much success in your teaching next quarter.
Gary
Yes, I've tried forming learning groups. My current class is very small but next quarter, I will have more students to work wtih. I will try to use more hands-on activities and make it relevant to their profession.
Hi Stephanie,
Have you tried to form learning groups with your students? You might want them have them work together on special projects. Also, you are on the right track with your hands on activities. Keep working on using these activities because they will help the students to become engaged.
Gary
My students are very difficult to motivate too. They seem like they want me to feed the information to them without them putting any work into the subject. They also fall asleep during class. I have tried doing more hands-on activities during class, but to be honest, I am very frustrated right now.
Hi Kathryn,
With students like this I try to give them a lot of eye contact and then I move toward them them. I find that by getting within their general area I get some connection with them. They get uncomfortable very quickly and generally look down at their desk tops to avoid eye contact. This is fine with me because then they aren't sending eye signals to other students that they are bored. I am not going to let them set the tone of the class so I work to engage them or if that doesn't work at least they know I won't be distracted by their behavior.
Gary
I'm not sure. I have a student who always looks bored to death and I find it distracting when I look her way. It kind of stops me in my tracks so to speak.
It's hard to motivate students, i find it if you make the class fun then they are excited to attend.
Hi Matthew,
Students like this need to be relocated into another program or college. Time is too valuable to be wasted just by attending classes and racking up debt. If you know you have done all that you can do to be a dedicated and supportive instructor then you should not take it personal that they are not successful.
Gary
