Denver,
Good strategy. I call this "connecting the dots". You are showing the students the value of what they have been and are being taught in relation to their future. The more this can be done the greater appreciation the students are going to have in relation to the education they are receiving.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have had opportunities to link students' work experiences to my lectures. This reinforces the applicability of the contents being studied. To use my own experiences to explain a concept or activity allows the students to share in the experiences and also build rapport with them. Both scenarios contribute to the richness of the classroom experience, and enhances retention in learning by students.
When a student feels as though there is someone behind them rooting for them and available to help them should there be a setup they are much more open and receptive to new or foreign informtaion.
Edward,
Great to hear about the student enthusiasm you have going in your two classes. This is a compliment to how you have set the stage for learning to occur for your students. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In addition to using my and the students past experience, I also let them know when they have done a good job and point out where they could have done even better. By keeping a positive note all along the process they tend to get the work faster and take pride in it. In my current class there is almost a competition to see who gets it first and does the best job. They are almost self teaching in two of my classes.
Shalanda,
Good point. This is both external and internal reinforcement. This helps them to see the value and relevancy of what is being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have a fellow instructor who uses smiley faces to motivate her students and I hear about it everyone of my classes. I was surprise on how much those simple face motivated these college students to get those out of her.
If material is presented over and over again the students can't help but to become confident in what they are learning. The student learns the material because they know that the final outcome will be the passing grade. If they are striving for an A, the grade will be their motivation.
Returning papers and assignments by the next class time, practicing new skill sets, and praising mini successes all help use reinforcement as a motivational tool.
we must use positive reinforcement at all times and demonstrate tis constantly
Reinforcement can be used as negative as well as positive. Let me explain. I teach in a nursing program and have students at various clinical settings. During observation of student clinical skills, I may see something done incorrectly. I pull that student aside immediately after and correct the mistake by explaining why what they did may have been inappropriate and to given them the instruction to do it correctly the next time. For example taking someone's pulse using your thumb. The pulse you actually feel may be your own and will not give an accurate reading of what is happening with the patient. Giving explanation and demonstration reinforces the behavior so the student understands and is able to apply correct techniques the next time.
I use a lot of my previous experiences to incorporate in the class and sometimes it helps the students to also bring in their experiences.
Don,
You make a good point but one of the more powerful motivators is rapport with students. When students know their instructor cares about their success and themselves their motivation level increases. So it is a win win for both the instructor and the students when their is respect and rapport in the classroom.
Gary
Again,I understand how these principles work, but I still question how much of a role I need to play in motivation my adult students. It sounds cliche, but the phrase, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" keeps popping into my head.
If an adult learner who is either compelled to be there because of forensic involvement or because they are enrolled as a stepping stone to a career cannot come up with any reasons to be diligent and hard working, my positive feedback will only go so far.
Fred,
Our students really need reinforcement. My students are adults that are trying to reinvent their careers so they need to see that they can be successful and that they can once again put themselves on a positive career track.
Gary
Positive reinforcement is a great tool to motivate students. Any time we evaluate a students work,even if the students is not 100%,it is best to go over and correct the student but always in the conversation with something the student did correctly. Discuss the proper way to perform the task.
Niurka,
So important. What are some strategies that you have used with success in reinforcing your students? I know this will be valuable information for other instructors.
Gary
Using reinforcement could be a good strategy for students retention.
Students want to know that they've correctly understood what the instructor is teaching. They want to know that they're making progress and doing well. Reinforcing the newly acquired knowledge for the students is a powerful tool and shows that the instructor truly cares about the students.
Reinforcement is key for a students learning. By using positive reinforcement when they do something correctly, it gives them specific examples of success that they know they can maintain if they continue doing the correct thing. Everyone likes to be praised, and this helps create a positive working environment where they feel like you are truly supporting their education.
