Motivating students
Showing the relevancy of the subject matteris important.
Hi Hans,
This generation of students do present a challenge and that is why we have to work so hard in explaining the WIIFM (What's In It For Me) in everything we do.
Once they see the benefits then they really catch on and start making progress in the course.
Gary
Sometimes getting todays younger students to be motivated can be tough. I have found that showing and explaining to them how they can benifit from knowing the material and the certain skill helps. Todays younger generation has the outlook of "what's in it for me"?
I like to engage my students in the classroom. I touch on area's that everyone can relate to then form discussions. These discussion help me understand what the student wants to accomplish then I touch on solutions and scenarios. Many student participate because they enjoy how it relate in their situation. They then get excited about learning more.
I find that by explaining the direct connection of the technique to the real world job and its success is invaluable.Their goal for that class is to learn and refine their tecniques and education in order to be successful in that particular job. Making that direct correlation increases their appetite for learning and instills excitement, joy and a feeling of accomplishment when they have learned it.They regard the insructor and class with great value and importance.All this fosters success in the education of the students.
Hi Tony,
Can you bring people in from the field to talk about such issues so the students can see that what you are covering is directly related to their career success as reinforced by the guest speakers?
This has worked well for me when I teach courses that are required and sometimes not as highly valued by the students as they should be.
Gary
One of my greatest fustrations are the students that are in my class strictly for the grade and not to obtain the knowledge being offered. They love the creative aspects of the fashion industry, but when it comes to the business end such as marketing and merchandising many of them see my class as a means to an end and do not understand that their designs must be commercially acceptable in order to make a living out of the fashion world. There are some students that get it and do get excited, but I wish I could get a greater share of students to see the light that you need a balance of creative and business knowledge to be successful.
Thanks,
Tony
Kimberly,
I always remind my students that THEY are purchasing a product from me and my institution - the product being their education. It's just like purchasing an automobile - I am the person teaching them how to drive it.
When they're on the highway and they can't find their turn signal, it will be because they missed a class or failed to complete their homework.
In order to get my students to follow through and show up to class everyday, I reinforce the fact that they are wasting their own money if they fail to complete the requirements.
The work they do in my course is for them. The grades they can achieve are for them, not for me. I give encouragement and praise in a way that always reminds them of this. The value in learning does not exist in pleasing the instructor.
Franz Popperl
showing how their course work will benifit them in the long run and how they can build on this knowledge, give true live examples
Hi George,
A key is the immediate use of newly acquired knowledge. Your statement is right on when it comes to application. These students really need to develop skill in the application of what they are learning, without application the value of learning will be greatly reduced.
Gary
Showing the relevance of the subject matter is important, but showing how to apply the concepts of the course is even more important in my opinion. Teaching and defining the theories without showing them the application is incomplete.
Hi Kimberly,
You have a challenge before you to say the least. Don't feel alone as this is a very common problem. My students ask me what does it take to pass this class and I tell them "come to class and do the assignments". Their response is "both of them". Meaning I have to come to class and do work as well.
Simple response "yes". The reality of this comes home at the later phase of the course just as you indicated. In my syllabus I clearly outlined my attendance policy and assignment requirements. So I remind them again of these policies. I also refresh their memories about the consequences of their not passing the course. I talk with each student individually and try to encourage him/her to get it together and be in class and do the assignments. If they don't then I follow my policies and they do not pass the course. There is a time when their decisions warrant the consequences. I never like to have a student fail but fail they do if they don't meet the standards of the course. They have to because I am teaching content that will enable them to achieve their career goals. If they don't have the required competencies then they will not be able to move on in their career preparation.
Gary
My students seem interested when I relate what we are learning and connect to my professional industry experience. They seem excited to get their work done when it is assigned but I'm not getting my students to come to class let alone hand in projects, now this is approaching the last weeks of school and I don't know how to motivate them to come and work so that they pass...are there any suggestions?
Hi Darryl,
Your efforts are helping to make the course "real" for your students. They need to see how the field really works and what the expectations are going to be for them.
Gary
Being from the culinary industry, I like to demonstrate some of the competencies exactly how it is done in industry and why it is done this way. I have supplemented this with photographs and dvd's of the actual competency done in industry.
Hi Ernest,
Your last sentence highlights the process needed to come up with the key elements for the course and how the content can be delivered. We as instructors need to always be on the lookout for how the content is being received and if the students are seeing application in what they are learning.
Gary
Experienced students have a sense about what is relevant. This is one of the basic concepts taught in this program. Where there is a disconnect, perhaps the problem is that there really is a disconnect. Perhaps relevance is lacking. There is no simple answer. Introspection, examination, and analysis might result in a reasonable solution.
I have found that making them see hoe weights and measurements can be reflected in thier every day life, not just in cooking
i feel the best way is tho tie in real worl experiences from not only your life but the students perspective as well
Hi Orville,
What have you found to be the most effective ways of showing how your subject matter is relevant?
Thanks.
Gary
