how to get unmotivated students to work
Does anyone have the magic potion that gets unmotivated students to work
I teach at nights and a lot of students that take my course are tired and it is extremely hard to get them motivated to learn in class
if anyone has an idea let me know
Hi Cherry - What a terrific response to whining students!! Best wishes - Susan
I teach in a clinical setting and I find myself very frustrated when I hear them say... "Awh, can't we go early today?" I always remind them that they are learning and preparring for the job that they want and the clinical experiance is like a job interview. How bad do you want the job? And when you were taking your classes.. How bad did you want to graduate? How bad do you want to graduate and go to your clinical experiance with knowledge? No, you can not go early cause you want to be better than just ok... Cause you want that job.
Hi Carolyn-Thanks for your post to the forum. Night and early Sat am classes are really a challenge. I recall taking Statistics at 8 am on Sat. for 6 weeks (excruciating!) You are doing a great job at getting your students engaged! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I also teach at night but I also Saturday morning. I find students that attend at night yes are tired and do seem to need an energizer boost. I ask lots of questions especially experiences but I have found also including videos have motivated students a bit as well.
My Saturday morning classes are about the same and I always ask if everyone has had some caffeine or breakfast to get them going. Half of them say yes and the other half might not answer.
If I noticed someone hasn't participated I privately chat with them to see if they are even there or just live idle. I try to get everyone to participate a bit. I also use the polling component in our live chat to get everyone to vote about something, usually for experience level and then I ask for everyone to contribute.
Hi Oriole- I would need more info on the student who packs up early. Is she a leader? If so, she is setting the agenda for the class. Most students will be polite enough to wait till the end of a class ( and let's face it our night students are tired!)but once someone gets the exit ball rolling others will follow suit. I would approach her privately and politely ask her not to do that. Best wishes - Susan
You said it! I have two night classes.
These are fashion drawing classes. One class I can't get to leave because they are enjoying what they are learning but the other class will start packing up a half hour before it is finished.
I think it can sometimes be the group of students. The class that leaves early has a student that just doesn't care, she has a reason not to stay every week. Once she starts to pack up then the rest follow suit. Except for one student who would stay all night if the school would let her.
I don't get it, what is the difference other than the students.
Hi Kathryn- As a former night student I too feeel their pain. It really amazes me at how well these hard-working students manage to keep it all together! Susan
I also teach 2 classes at night, students are tired from work, families, friends, life. I try to be extra energenic and remind students that there is NO pain in using your brain and thinking. I also become very energized and animated. I try to mix the class up a lot between lectures and group work that keep them moving.
I agree Elinore. I teach at night occasionally, but more often at 6:30am. My students have the same problems though. I have found using humor and trying to keep them personally motivated is really the only way to keep them awake sometimes. Also, I think it helps to get to know what is motivating your students to be in school and also what obstacles they are facing so you can remind them of why they are there in case they forget.
HI Terry - What classes do you teach? I will try to come up with some ideas for you! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Terry-
I also teach at night-until 10:30 pm...my last class of the evening is Health Insurance from 8:30-10:30. How fun can you really make Health Insurance?! I come in to the class with a big happy hello...they know im pumped to be there. I make sure they know I understand they have jobs and children outside of school and they respect the fact that I respect them so much. After working all day and then going to school-I make sure they know Im proud of them and will be their cheerleader! I bring humor into class which also helps. I like to keep it light-but at the same time get our work done! my class is very successful.
