All motivation comes from the two basic sources, internal components and external. Identifying which of these a student falls in will allow for improved motivation. Obviously, these two basic factors can be further divided into more refined items, but identifying whether a person is defined by internal or external decisions will guide the method of response.
Relevance...even in required course...can help motivate
Rene,
Stories about the field really ramp up the motivation factor for students. They like to hear these stories from their instructors and program graduates. They then start to see themselves in the success circle for their field.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe the future is a motivating factor for students. Many of the students are looking for a career and they eager to get one. When sharing stories of working in the field I am teaching it given them motivation that they path they are on will give them the career they are looking for.
Gwendolyn,
Sure does. If we bring it they will absorb it. So each class we need to bring passion to our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By far I would say the level of the instructors enthusiasm toward the subject. If the instructor is excited it really makes a huge difference.
Myrthe,
Dedication, enthusiasm and passion are three words that can do a lot to help with teaching success. When students see instructors with these three they know they are being taught by a professional that cares about their success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Motivation is a key factor to retain students. student enjoy an instructor with a passion for the job and who have confidence in themselves.
Allinda,
Good point and one we instructors need to keep in mind. We need to be on the look out for the motivators that reach each student. It is always great when you find that for a student and see how he/she thrives on it and is successful in the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
There are probably as many motivation factors as there are students. Some factors that motivated me to continue my education beyond high school included parental/societal expectations, personal expectations, including the desire to improve myself intellectually as well as financially, and the desire to complete what I started. I was also highly motivated by the fear of failing in all of the above areas!
Shalanda,
I like students like this because they are hungry to create a future for themselves. They have specific career goals in mind and are willing to work hard to achieve them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Thier support system or lack thier of, thier living enviorment, thier personal experience, economics, in general thier life, and thought in thier own heads can affect thier motivation.
I notice that students who have been out of work for a long priod of time tend to be motivated because they want to get back to work and gain a new career.
Teresa,
It sure can. Knowing that at the end of the program that a person can move into a rewarding career is a powerful motivator. We need to capitalize on this as much as we can.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Students can be motivated yes, by desire, enthusiasm,but also in today's society, need can be a very strong motivator. Some older students can be driven and motivated by the need to be successful (financially and intellectually) for themselves and/or their families. Because of the economic situation, being able to provide for one's family can be a great motivator.
Motivating in general really doesn't matter who, its still motivating, it just matters how.
Maybe they are a single parent and want to do beter for their family, maybe they want to complete something in their life that they have never done before.
Intellectual, Financial and Social success. A lot of student motivation is to use or improve upon their self perception to impress others in some way. Many students feel the need to "better themsleves" in some way and prove it to the "audience". That audience can include instructors, friends, co-workers, neighbors, family, etc.
Jim, I agree, because some students may not be necessarily interested in all topics that the course has to offer, so you have to find and tap into what students may have a passion for. You do this by getting the students involved in class discussions, and pay attention to what they are saying, so that you can build upon their interest with other topics.
Some factors that may contribute to student motivation include: (1) Having an instructor that is excited about what he or she is teaching. (2) Haing an instructor is who demonstrates expertise in their field. (3) Having an instructor that knows how to convey an idea in understandable terms. (4) And last but not least, having an instructor with compasion for each student, and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that all students get it.
