Thanks, Gary! Teaching math to nursing students is both easier and harder than teaching math in a traditional school. It is easier because the math required for nursing is limited and focused, especially with dosage calculations. On the other hand, it is harder because the students don't just need to pass the class, they have no option but to master the material because of the severe consequences if they get a dosage calculation wrong.
Jerry,
Like your approach. You are personalizing math for your students by giving them examples where not knowing math could injure or kill a patient. This gets their attention and you are able to build from there. Keep up the good work!
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach math to nursing students. These are definitely career-focused students. For the most part, I try to help them overcome their fear of math. Once they are no longer afraid of math, they naturally get excited and energized about learning more math. This is at the heart of positive motivation.
I also tell them how mastering math is important to their career by explaining how easy it is to damage or kill their patient. For example, a diabetic patient can die if their medications are off by a decimal point. This is why they have to master percents and writing decimals. I tell them, "Do you want to take your baby to a nurse that doesn't understand percents and decimals?" They always respond with a definite no. This is at the heart of negative motivation - what happens if they don't master the required math.
Both techniques are valuable - and they work!
Rochelle,
The idea of helping them to verbalize short term goals is spot on because from these efforts students can start to get an idea of how to set long term goals and create a future for themselves. They need to internalize these goals if they are to get excited about achieving them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Motivating students can be very difficult depending on the student's reason, or motivation, for being in the program. Sometimes I find it difficult to get the student to verbalize what their individual long-term goals are; therefore, efforts to try to help them relate the material to their career expectations seem unsuccessful.
Most often, using previous work or even classroom experiences can be used as learning tools to motivate them to either repeat, adopt, or abandon a former behavior. Helping them identify short-term goals which can bridge to ultimate long-term goals (and helping them identify those long-term goals), along with shared "best practices" for learning and studying can go a long way to helping them have one of those "aha" moments.
Racheal, I couldn't agree more. How boring would the class be if there were no challenges? I think it really speaks into the students lives who are more complient when the instructor is persistent with the not so complient and the motivations finally kick in for them. It is a kick start for the entire class. Like everyone brings their game up and the class acts more like, well a class.
Sheila,
So true. Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it really gets student engaged and increases student satisfaction. This is a win win situation for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When you love what you do it shows in many little ways.....ie: your energetic, emotional, and enthusiastic when relating to the subject or content material which tends to spill over to the students. You are animated, focused, speak with many inflections, use body language gestures, and add lots of great examples.
Chris,
It is so important to connect the dots between course content and real world application. By doing so you are increasing the value of the course to the students and this increases their engagement in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Relate how each class you teach directly affects the career the student is looking for. Use real life examples from local employers.
Cheryl,
You have listed some very important components needed for learning success. We instructors are models to our students so we need to dress, speak and conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that shows our students what the expectations are for the field they are preparing to enter.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Eric,
This is a good sequence to follow as it gives support to the students as they refine their knowledge and skills in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A good way to motivate students is to show them what they did wrong, how to fix it and praise them on what they did right.
I teach both in the classroom and lab. In both cases, I find that active engagement is the key to motivation. I display the traits of an engaged student in an effort to transform my students' view of learning.
In the classroom, the students work in groups to present the material, and are encouraged to use their personal experiences as references. When a group is presenting to the class, they demand professional behavior!
In the lab, I maintain a proper work space and participate in the mundane tasks with my students, such as pot washing. Students learn how to be good at their work in the classroom - and teachers must model that good work.
Lisa,
It is amazing how important these short conversations are to students. Knowing you have listened to them and remember what they have told you is a powerful connector between you and your students. This connection will be of benefit to the students as the course progresses because they know you care about them and their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Joan,
Good point. If you do not have passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching about it then it is for sure your students won't be excited either. We need to bring our A game to class each time it meets.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Maria,
What a great way to connection with your students. I am sure your stories and examples help to get your students engaged and focused on the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jodi,
This is such an important connection to make. Earning their respect helps to give them a connection to you from which rapport is developed and motivation is enhanced.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that relating experiences have peak their interest many times. It invokes questions that may help me make a point in my lecturing.
I challenge my students to push themselves. Go over and beyond. I explain to them that the reward will be worth it. I also have them write down their short and long term goals. I tell them that practice makes perfect. Knowing what you do everyday will give you self esteem and confidence. I also tell my students that leaders LEAD all the time.
