One Way to Motivate
I keep a log and send out occasional emails after a quiz, assignment, or lecture that individually compliment a student and let he or she know that I noticed some sort of superior effort, even if it is just active involvement in a discussion. This seems to go a long way.
Hi Cheryl,
Encouragement and support are two very important parts of being an instructor. You make a good point when you talk about giving feedback to your students and helping them to move onto the next segment of the course. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I try to let each student know after a quiz or exam that they did a great job, especially the ones that struggle with certain things. It helps them to strive to do well on the next one.
I'm sure this approach does go a long way with motivating the students. I think this is beyond what you need to do for the students, though. If students don't receive this treatment with all their professors then negativity can begin by way of comparison. When in fact, both professors could be very good at their practice.
Getting their graded work back to them as soon as possible should be practiced to keep them up to date with their status- and they do love the comments.
Brenna, I think this is a great idea. I try to make comments on each student's work on assignments, but it's hard to find things to say in that way that are tailored to each individual. So I often just end up writing "Good Work" or "Interesting Comments". I think that writing more detailed comments via email to a few students who really did well would be more effective.
This really would help with online courses. I admire you for having such dedication to followup after class if you do this for residential classes.
I agree. Students really like it when someone notices them!
Hi Sara,
Great job of supporting your students through your evaluation of their work. This kind of feedback is very important to their growth. Being prompt is important as it doesn't keep the student guessing in terms of how they are doing.
Gary
Brenna's attention to small supportive feedback to her students sounds like and excellent idea. I also feel that sending an email showing you notice effort and improvement is a powerful tool.
Hi Brenna, I really like your effort to go above and beyond by individually complimenting a student when it is not expected by the students. I also like to recognize accomplishments (of any size) by the students and will publicly recognize those students in class who seem to be a bit withdrawn from the class. This technique has worked to see more interaction from them in future classes.
I give a lot of tests and unit homework in my classes. I still do it all by hand (no computer tests, yet) in grading all their work I feel I can comment on things students answered with good understanding of the process(good! Excellant!Above and beyond!!) or I can put in comments such as (reread this area, or that's part of it but what else can you add, or I want more here). I also make sure they get the work they have handed in back the next class period. On all tests I also give them the test to correct on their own and hand back in the next class period so they go over it again right away.
HI Dennis,
I commend you on the targeted feedback you are giving your students. This is so important. As you say by giving specific feedback your students can see how they can improve and you are giving them suggestions for such improvement.
Gary
In grading student writing assignments, I always find a way to pay a compliment mentioning a positive response to balance the feedback.
"Great thinking here, Nikki,you have some well supported reasons. Next time to improve your proof reading skills try read aloud your paragraph." This tends to have a motivating effect.
Hi Brenna,
Good strategy. It is that little extra effort that goes so far in developing student respect and rapport.
Gary
