Hi Terence,
Good point. You are right about the need for and the value of individualized attention. The few minutes you spend with a student is so valuable as you build rapport with the student and earn his/her respect.
Gary
In a kitchen, I like to show a student at their station how to do something. I have found that this often meets their personal needs for attention and helps them to better understand the material.
Career college instructors may use real world applications to demonstrate how concepts are used.
Hi David,
This is very important for students to be made aware of when going through their program. By sharing your experiences you can help them to see their future and what it can hold for them.
Gary
I would blend my career rewards with the students life experiences,find something in common and let them know that it is attainable...
Hi Amy,
If the instructor is excited it does rub off onto students. They can see how the instructor wants to share his/her knowledge with the students and this gets them to see how they can create a future for themselves by putting forth effort.
Gary
Hi Jaclyn,
You have listed a comprehensive set of items how an instructor can motivate and challenge students to do their best. In addition your list will help to retain them in their programs since the component empathy is a major part of instructor support and encouragement when their lives get complicated.
Gary
An instructor exhibits motivation by attending to the class's needs and giving one-on-one attention. They can use positive reinforcement and group discussion of the instructors experience.
Not only better educators . . . better people. I think that's the larger goal.
I feel that some of motivation techniques that instructors can use are, self evaluation. We as instructors have to take a minute and think about how we would want to be treated and addressed as students, and then base our actions off of that. We also need to motivate through life experiences. When students can relate to our life experiences as it makes it easier for them to learn and base their experiences off of what they have heard we have been through. And lastly, empathy. I feel that it is extremely important to be flexible with students due their many issues, they need understanding because life happens and sometimes their situations are severe, and they just have no where to turn. I feel that each students situation should be decided upon on an individual basis, adn that will help them to be motivated to continue to come and be successful.
Hi Jeff,
Great to hear those kinds words about the information and exchanges in the forums. This is what professional exchange is all about. As a result I trust we all will be better educators.
Gary
Hi Jeff,
This is a good as it gets. Real world situations that enables students to practice their newly acquired skills. I commend you for making the applications that many students don't get to make until they are actually in the field. Your students are very fortunate.
Gary
Hi Erin,
Great way of making your course content "real". This really helps to bridge the gap between school and work. This will make the transition these students will soon be making much easier due to the higher level of self confidence they will have as a result of solving these problems.
Gary
Demonstrations and positive feedback have maintained the motivations for many of my classes. The students also like to relate to discussions about what I am teaching because it promotes group Q & A.
"Real world" situations and jobs if possible.
I find that demonstrating how the material connects back to the students' future industry is essential in maintaining their interest in the course.
After that has been demonstrated, involving the students in the presentation of material and allowing them to connect the content to their life experiences establishes a strong connection and helps to keep them engaged.
I just realized it's 12:20 AM and I've been reading some great stuff here in your Forum. Or I guess it's our Forum. Interesting material and thought provoking discussion shared . . . I'm motivated! Enjoying the course Dr. G. and having some fun to boot.
And good night Mrs. Calabash . . . wherever you are!
Elizabeth,
I love your Role Playing idea.. . But I'd like to take it a step further. I'm working with future Graphic Designers. I'm thinking of creating a "role playing company" as part of the class setting. Let students with a 2nd interest in Marketing develop a company name and a Mission Statement . . . Artists design the logo for it, The "owner" could "hire" Art director and an assistant and have them assess artistic talent from the class and place them in their respective career roles based on their creative strengths.
Maybe I'll have lunch with an Instructor from the School of Business and see if I can rustle up some Role playing salesman to drum up some design projects and get this Psudo Studio off the ground.
Wheels are turning . . . thanks, I'm excited for tomorrow.
Jeff
PS This may be a great "halftime" refocus project to get them back on their feet.
Great idea Gloria,
Having Professionals in the field tell there story can do wonders. . especially if the are graduates of that school. Recent grads are great . . but I find that some graduates from 20-30 years ago can come equipped with lots of great life experience stories. It adds 2 perspectives to the school, work, success discussion.
Jeff
I have the luxury of owning and operating a Graphic Design Firm as well as instructing Graphic Arts courses and Business Presentation Graphics, Each period, I ask students to actually work on real life/real time design projects. They work with real deadlines and real clients who have volunteered for this module. They are introduced to a real assignment, in real time under real pressure with real demands and real budgets. Nothing motivates better than real . . . I find the closer you can get to a real situation for students, the better.
Jeff
PS Their presentations are often outstanding. Next goal is to get some published.
