Motivating Students
We must be excited (motivated) about our class. If not, how will the students ever get excited?
Hi Joe,
This is why it is so important to be well prepared to teach so you can bring your A game to the class each time it meets. To do less is to cheat the students as a professional. Good point, thanks for making it.
Gary
I can't agree with that statement any more than you put it . in our day to day lives we have our ups and downs however when class starts everything else before that has to be foregotten for at least for the time being . As another Instructor once put it words when I started as a new Instuctor ( It's Show Time)!!. meening that everytime your class starts you have an audience and as such your at the center of it whether you like it or not so it would be better if you do your best to motivate them with your positive motivation rather than just hope the course goes on it's own way during the day.
I go to every class showing enthusiasm and never being in a bad mood. I show that I am excited about what will be taught in class to try and motivate them
Students are in class because they want something more in life. We shouldn't be dour, but this isn't high school. There isn't a truancy officer to keep them out of an arcade. I wanted to go to college, and no matter how much fun drinking all day and watching cartoons seemed, I missed only one whole day of class in five years, because I was motivated. We shouldn't have to be babysitters and cheerleaders. I have such limited time that it's unfair to everyone else for me to have to remind one student why he's there. Career college students should have a much greater investment. They can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They know exactly where they're going. If they need attention to drag themselves through the course, how will they be when they're keeping financial records, drawing blood or watching prisoners? We should motivate by being prepared and knowledgeable, and sure, there are those rare days when everyone needs a pick-me-up, but that should be the exception, not the norm.
I feel as an instructor, you must be part Educator,and part Comedian. If you use a little comedy, the education will follow.
I have to agree with this statement any Instructor who is not excited about the material being taught and the part it plays in the bigger picture should be looking for a new career. You can not expect your students to be excited and motivated if your not.
