If the instructor shows enthusiasm in their teaching techniques and has fun with the class. This will reduce boredom and motivate the student to come to class and learn.I implament games, vidieos and life experance storys if in lecture.
Leslie,
Food the source of so much interaction and connection. No matter the age food draws people together. So share the food and enhance the social interaction and you will be showing your students that you care about them as human beings as well as students. This is the foundation upon which rapport is developed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Raina,
This is a good point and one I call connecting the career dots. If we can on a regular basis connect our content to career success we increase the value of our content to our students. Then when they ask "Why do we need to know this?" we have an example of application and career development which is why they students are there in the first place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My students respond to a variety of motivational techniques, but one that always works for the class as a whole is FOOD! Donuts or pizza when you're working on geometry helps to illustrate some of the key terms and formulas in geometry, and students really enjoy the social activity of having a meal together. I've also found in recent years that just sending a friendly reminder text to my students about upcoming class activities or asking if things are ok if they've been absent goes a long ways towards motivating them to come to class and participate.
I think the best motivater is just relate it back to what the student will be doing in thefield. Why it is so important to know. I also like to bring in geust speakers and use my own personal experiences to add relivence.
keeping students motivated can be tough. Even though I am new to teaching. I have found that delivering clear and precise lectures and keeping the students active through out lecture, and show to them that I am just as invested in there learning as they are. They can see the compassion and feel comfortable sharing there experience's.
The best motivation is to not let them be bored. Provide a problem or challenge to solve when they enter the classroom. this can be placed on the white board or on a handout. The idea is to make the classroom a fun place to learn which makes them want to be there. Students enjoy playing Jeopardy with the course material which helps with their retention. When it comes to tasks or procedures I emphasize the importance of being the best they can be at whatever they do and how this will enable them to advance in their place of employment. Letting the students know what is going to happen tomorrow will help them prepare for it and be ready to learn.
Patricia,
This is especially true for adult learners. Many of them are uncertain about coming back to school so if they can have early success in the course that really helps with their motivation and retention.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rewards for meeting small objectives that take them to their goal motivates them.
Dr. Fu-Sen,
Thank you for this list of ways to increase the motivation of students. The key is to help students to see the value of the material being presented and help them make application of it in their own lives. When this is done they really get excited and focused on their success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Elizabeth,
I use games a lot in my classes for several reasons. One, adult learners are just taller children. My adult learners get very competitive and excited when we play Jeopardy to review for a test. Another use of games is that they let you and your students use the covered material over and over so through repetition they increase their retention of the needed content in a way that is fun and fast paced.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Some examples of effective motivation techniques to use in class include providing feedback on the student's work. This would involve complimenting the student about what they are doing well and what they can improve on to do even better. All the feedback should be phrased in a positive light so that students would be motivated to better themselves especially if they are struggling on certain topics. This would include saying what they can do better instead of saying what they are doing wrong. Furthermore, an instructor should provide encouraging feedback about how the student has progressed in class compared to himself instead of compared to other classmates since everybody's learning pace is different. Another way to motivate students is to provide rewards/incentives whenever they improve on their work.
i think games are and excellent way of teaching
I think dividing up the class into teams rather then individuals works well
Richard,
As the learning leader they see you in a position of experience, knowledge and expertise. This is a position that needs to be reflected on and shared with students. This is what will enhance the development of respect and rapport with your students. Keep up the sharing process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Nieva,
Great motivators all. You are right about students relishing reinforcement and support. Adults are just taller children and we need to remember that as we plan how we are going to reinforce our students. My students will work very hard to earn a treat or pizza day just as did my middle schoolers when I taught on that level.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm always amazed at the interest students have in my own background. This course is helping to reinforce the notion that the students are looking for validation that I'm qualified and relatable.
One effective technique is guest speakers who reinforces their choices.
1. Students love certificates.- Certificates for academic excellence
2. Showing them their grades and discussing it with them,- motivates them to be better.
3. Sending positive, encouraging e-mail response to assignments students e-mailed - motivates them to do better.
Harry,
Stories like those you are sharing help to make the course content come alive. You are demonstrating via the stories the value of the content and what the ROI is for students if they are willing to put forth the needed effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I love talking about some of the places and things I have be able to do because of what I have learn here at this very school that I am a instructor at now. I can see there motivation sky rocket as we speak. I know they can't wait to travel the world and make the money that I have already done. I love teaching my trade to them and I have learned from them also.
Leslie,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it goes a long way in getting students engaged in the learning process. Plus with these two elements in place you are a model for someone in your career field and that helps students see where they can take themselves once they graduate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
