In my classroom setting I give practical brain teasers. For instance, a task that I have completed in the workforce that was a problem, but solved. I bring that exact problem to the classroom. If the task is verbally mentioned without the solution to the students, it allows them to rack their brain and come up with a solution on how they would solve the task. I noticed some students tackle the task the exact way it was handled in the 'real" setting, and others have come up with an equally correct format to complete the task. Regardless, it allows students to particiapte, think, process, and ask themselves, "What would I do in the exact same professional setting".
Hi Marcia,
Thanks for sharing these strategies with us.
Gary
I use a variety of things including role planning, case studies, discussion, etc. Depending on what the students needs are.
Using the correlation of learning to success based on student input. This reinforces the inportance of an education in the work world.
Hi David,
Excellent point. This is what student centered teaching is all about.
Gary
Empathy may be on the top of the list with a cultural change and high demand on a human life in this day and age.
great idea,keeps high quality students motivated to stay there
Those students who perform exceptionally well are given a task to explain a segment of the next class to other students.
Hi Timothy,
You have listed a number of excellent way you motivate and support your students. Each of these items is essential as students progress through their training and transition to the work world. Great job.
Gary
Hi John,
You have a great philosophy of teaching. I know your students value your input and opinions concerning their professional growth. Your approach gives them direction and support as the develop their persona in relation their cooking and creativity.
Gary
Learn as much about each individual student as possible so you can relate different learning objectives to the students backrounds so they can build on what they have already experienced.
Explain how you used and benefitted by a particular technique being taught in class that day when you worked in the industry, explain how it will benefit them in the industry.
Some of the motivation techniques that I use as an instructor are : Life experiences, work related experiences , things that I have done in the culinary field that relate to our instruction for that day. It makes them understand the relevancy on the course content. Positive reforcement, giving students immediate feedback. I noticed the enthusiasm when givening the immediate feedback and letting them know that they are doing well or need improvement in an area. A very important motivation is having empathy,help meeting the student needs.
Because I am a hands on teacher I think it is a little easier to motivate students. Cooking involves alot of passion as well as teaching it. Personal assistance and reflection one on one are very important. Also when the student gets that one on one the their passion for doing it correctly is raised rather than them trying to figure it out on their own. Visual corrections that are reinforced through application with help from the instructor help retain information.
I always try to conclude with a possitve when addressing a student about a negative.
Assisting with an issue a student may have will help them inderstand the learning better which will also motivate them.
Empathy is an absolute must in my opinion. Without it the student will be demotivated.
This is expected from an instructor. We all have life problems. When the instructor understands this he will get more respect from his students because he is willing to understand the situation and work with the student to achieve a certain goal.
Effective motivation techniques are those in which students are encouraged to share and build upon their life experiences in class when they are related to their future career. It is also a motivating technique for instructors to share their relevant experiences in the work field with their students. Also, it helps to show students that you are an understanding, caring and empathetic instructor when considering their individual circumstances and making yourself available and flexible within reason to their needs.
Hi "Doc",
Good points about teaching gen ed classes. I teach required courses and the students have an attitude from the beginning since they are required to pass the courses in order to stay in the program. I like to use your approach and it brings me great joy to see them get excited about the content and how it can be applied to their lives. This to me is value added instruction. Keep up the excitement your students will be benefiting each time you teach the course.
Gary
Hi Jeffery,
Your point about intimidation is a good one. Students that lack in self confidence when coming back to school after a number of years are in real need of encouragement and support because everything can seem to overwhelm them. With reinforcement they can take each class as it comes and complete the required work leading to their career success.
Gary
Dr. Meers and Class,
I am a general education instructor (Psychology and Communications) at a vocational/technical college. As such, I have to be motivational at all times to "market" the class materials. The average student enrolling at my college does not know what to expect from my class and is not always convinced that they stand to gain from my class. I feel it is my job to prove the real-time value of the material and my experience.
One of the most effective approaches I employ is to link that material I teach to real-time/real-industry examples and then invite the students to hypothesize how the outcomes could change if an approach that we learned was used.
Later!
Dr. John "Doc" Heckman
Some examples of effective motivation techniques is to allow time for class discussions and to give positive reinforcement. Allowing discussion amongst peers lets others see different persepctives on the subject at hand to help induce different approaches to attain their goals. Positive reinforcement allows for a positive learning environment and takes away the intimidation factor.
i believe in a great start . A highly motivated and passion based for the subject will get a student to attend and the rest will follow using the skills in these modules.
In my class room I tend to recognize postive student accomplishments.
We just completed a buffet exercise where one of the students was the "Sous Chef" for the day. One student was placed in charge of getting the exercise coordinated. After the exercise was completed I gave positive critique that emphasized her accomplishment.
I feel this is an effictive technique that motivated my student and also will cause other students to strive for excellence, as they also want to be given similar postive acknowledgement in the group setting.
