MICHAEL,
Examples from the field are important for students to hear as they help them see the value of the content being offered and how this course can help them in their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students appreciate to have instant feedback. I use different examples to help students better understand the material.
I think talking about passed jobs makes the students relate to what they are doing
Debby,
Well said and a good plan to follow.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Know your students, be consistent, praise often
Laura,
This is a good way to help make the course content come alive and have value to students. They get to see the relevance as a result of this exercise. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to ask my students to give me an example in their life of how they could implement something I taught them.
Certificates and pens are a great way to improve motivation. Giving the students encouragement and praise will also help to build their confidence and self esteem.
Laura,
Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is a powerful motivator. Your students are very fortunate to have the clinic in the college so they can easily transition from the classroom/lab right into working with patients. This is what relevancy is all about for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Patricia,
A kind face, warm greeting and a smile goes a long way in helping them to see they are valued as not only students but also individuals. This approach can quickly change their bad day to a good one if even for only the duration of the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Layovone,
Good list. My adults also like food. It is amazing how hard they will work to earn pizza, candy or some other snack. Adults are just taller children when it comes to recognition and reward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Leah,
This is such an important role to play in the lives of students. As you say many of them do not have anyone in their life to reinforce and support them. As an authority figure as well as learning leader you can be the difference between them dropping out and completing the course. Makes you feel good to be a teacher when you can help a student be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am very fortunate to have a working clinic in the college that I work. My students are allowed to practice their new skills with the dentist and patients. This opportunity helps to keep them motivated to attend class and submit homework assignments.
Some effective motivational techniques that can be used in a classroom can be reassuring your students that they are doing a great job. You may have a few that come in and are already having a bad day. Let them know that things will get better and take this time in class to concentrate on why they came to school.
Effective motivation Techniques
Certificates,recognition
Motivating students is important because it will keep them coming to class and keep them engaged. Many students only have their instructor to help keep them feeling as if they can accomplish their goals. I take much pride in my students, and always try to push them to have pride in themselves.
Motivation is unique to individuals. One motivation that I suggest instructors do is an icebreaker. One of the simplest ones is introductions the first day. I always ask for the following in the introduction.
1. Name
2. Nickname if you want to be called by that.
3. Why do you want to take this course of study?
4. What kinds of work have you done during your life?
These give the class and the instructors an idea of where a student is coming from. It also gives the instructor a way to relate things being taught in class to something the student my have experienced before. This is a great motivator because it gives the students' previous experience relevance in the subject they are now learning.
Virginia,
Yes they do. These stories and examples reinforce what is being taught and helps the students to make applications of the content to their career development. When this happens excitement breaks out and students become engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students love to hear real life experiences. I will give at least two to three examples. They realize that we too are human and are subject to some of the same problems and or issues that they have faced or are facing.
Most every day, I write a positive message on the sign-in sheet for my students to read as they are signing in. I make a point to ask them to read the note and then mention it at the beginning of class as well. It's a small detail, but I believe it sets a positive tone for the day and can often snap them out of, or lessen any negativity they may have experienced prior to the beginning of class (traffic, conflicts, etc.)
