I find that adding a incentive in class work helps motivate students to want to learn. Once they know they can get a reward for participatin in class work, they will work hard
I couldn't agree more. I think positive reinforcement is key.
Hi Jeremy,
When students like this are in classes they are already high in motivation because they want to be successful in order to move their career forward. They make good contributors to the class because of their life experiences and dedication to learning.
Gary
Factors that contribute can be they are there for a reason and want to learn a skill. They are motivated because they are there due to unexpected life situations.
This module is equally informative as the the others. It provides variety of informations that are really practical in the instructional field. I learn a lot of ideas on how to make my teaching environment --challenging, effective, and meaningful.
Thank you.
Ms. Dimayuga
Showing how excited we are about what we do and what we're teaching. Being yourself. Helping them understand that you know what its like to be exactly where they are right now because you were also in their place. That may motivate them to think that well if she was once where I am then I can succeed too.
Enthusiasm, caring environment, professionalism, relating the course material to their lives, positive reinforcement and encouragement.
Factors that contribute to student motivation are; the ability of the student to see relevance of the material they are being taught to their own life and circumstances. Their ability to do so is based on the ability of the instructor to successfully convey this relevance to each student.
Also, empathy toward students by the instructor is a motivating factor. Word gets around, so that if a student in class is treated without empathy in a situation and the others may deaem as unfair or mean, the other students will internalize this and react accordingly to the instructor through out he rest of the course, unless their perception changes. They may not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
Enthusiasm for the couse material by the instructor is another important motivating factor. Instructors must convey an excitment about the course material for the students to feel excited about learning it.
I find if the students enjoy what they are doing in class, they get motivated and excited this keeps them coming back to class.
Hi Sadie,
You make a good point about how the students have already started themselves toward motivation by enrolling in school. By showing them their future through good instruction and concrete examples the motivation will continue even when life issues distract from their learning.
Gary
Students are offten first motivated to come to school for there choosen field from one specific incident. From there it is our jobs as instructors to keep the motivation going. By enthusiasticly sharing stories about your field with your class can help keep motivation high.
I think it is an excellent point: I always use my professional and personal experiences as a way to help motivate my students and I found it is very effective.
Michael, I totally agree Maslow's model of motivation is helpful in many ways. I teach it in class to help students reflect on the motivation of others (coworkers, managers, employees), but also ask them to reflect on where they are at and how that influences their day to day motivation.
Student history can contribute to student motivation; or the lack there of. It is hard to over come some history of the student to aid in motivation.
Thier personal lives, jobs, relationships, health issues, and parent background can aid or hinder motivation.
Sometimes is takes someone to listen to help with the issues outside of the course room in order to help the student focus and be motivated within the course room.
Hi Ian,
Good approach and an excellent lesson in social interaction and cooperation as well.
Gary
Someone told me that responsibility breeds motivation. A hands on exercise where they are required to move. A task where they have a part of a complex system. If they don't do their part of the equation they entire system does not function.
Understanding why a student is getting into your program, is the first step in understanding a students motivation. Once the student is in the program, feedback becomes important to that student. The student needs to validate that what they are doing is making a diffrence in thier life, so they can make a difference in others lives. Motivation, validatation, and a interesting learning enviornment will help in keeping students engaged.
Hi Nancy,
So true. Once they start to see the ROI on their educational investment they are going to take off with their learning and that makes our job just that much more enjoyable.
Gary
Students get motivated by seeing the relvance of the information. Their motivation is also increased by seeing thier improvement or progress. Small successes lead to big ones.
Many things may motivate career college students. Some can be family or some other person they are trying to please, wanting to give back to the community, or there because they had nothing else to do. There is still another motivation. It is the one they really have no power over. Its that they go to school or they lose thier support benefits. This can mean thier child care, housing, finacial, food stamps, or even liberty (go to school or go to jail).
