Daisy,
This is a good way to get everyone settled into the course. They know you are there for them and care about their success with this approach. This forms a great foundation for enhanced learning to occur.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Ask them if their having fun and enjoying what they are learning today.
Names, I agree.Then respect.A student wants to feel they are a valuable asset to the class room.
I always take time to correlate a work related story to in class content, such as sharing with students in pharmacology various patients i have dealt with when dealing with narcotic Rx's.
I have found that by making the first homework assignment a paragraph on what would like to get out of the class, is very effective. It allows students to focus on course content and how it relates to their goals. Also, when students do a poor job on this assignment it gives me an early indication of potential motivational problems.
To get motivation started in the classroom, I will greet every new student on the first day of class. I make sure I arrive early to set up. I stand at the door, introduce myself to every student with a hand shake and express that I am happy to have them in my class.
Graham,
I like using these types of scenarios to get students involved in the real life aspects of their career area. They give them a chance to see the world they will be entering and help them make a transition to it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Diego,
I agree. The students get to see the relevancy and application of the content as a result of these types of cases.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A very effective motivating techniques I have used in the kitchen classroom is to re-enact a scenario from a real life situation in the kitchen they has happened to me.I often make a big issue of opening a under the stove oven in a crowded kitchen,showing the students how a very large swiss sous chef fell and sat me while I was reaching in the oven.Having me on my knees with my head in an oven brings this story to life, for them and I have never had an issue with them understanding why you must create a safe space space when doing something as simple as opening an oven door
Connecting difficult concept with cases, helps to integrated and keep students motivated
Krystal,
Personal stories are great ways to increase the value of the course content and increase the interest of students. These stories also reinforce that you their instructor is experienced in the field and have something to offer them. This sets up a win win situation for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I love to do this as well. I can explain a problem within the massage therapy field to a student but giving a personal story to go along with it helps them to grasp the idea and how to handle it.
David,
Stories from the experiences of instructors are great motivators and examples of how to do or not to do things. You are sharing your life with your students in a way that shows application and relevancy in relation to what you are teaching them about fashion design. Keep up the good work you are doing because it is working well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach pattern making in a fashion design program. I have 20 years of professional experience as a pattern maker. Feedback from students regularly shows that they love hearing stories from my professional life. Sometimes the stories are meant to help them fit the day's lesson into the broader context of their interests in the fashion field. Sometimes I use a story to re-capture waning attention. Very often I even tell stories of when I did something wrong or got frustrated on the job to help students learn ways of overcoming their own frustrations with grasping the material.
Thomas,
Good way to get them involved and seeing the relevancy of the content while making application of the skills they are learning. This is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Knowing names always a plus. I will have the whole class engage in an activity that I due myself such as programming an alarm system. The objective of the lesson is clearly understood before we start with a clear end result when we have finished. The students follow my steps and ask questions along the way. If they miss something we all as a group can stop and discuss what step that student missed and correct the issue.
Donna,
Little things like interacting with them before class along with knowing their names all contribute to their seeing themselves as having value to you the instructor. This increases their motivation and desire to do well in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Motivating students can be difficult. I believe knowing a small bit about each student is important. I like to learn their names early on. They find that they feel connected with the instructor and the classroom.
Wendy,
Like this ice breaker. It is fun and easy to do. Thank you for sharing it with us. I know it will be valuable to other instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everyone likes games, so make the first day a "Getting to know you" game. This is usually done with a small class, 20 or less. Give the students 3 mins to meet 2 people in their class. Then have one student start, by getting up get up and introducing one of the 2 people. When done, the person they introduced, will introduce another person. Before you know it, you have broken the ice and everyone has an idea of 'Who's Who' in the class.
