There is a lot of ways to motivated student :
knowig their names , addressing what going around us of general cases, keeping motivate our student
One technique that I like to use in my class is feedback. I try to give feedback that is both encouraging and teaching. I think that it provides a good avenue for teaching or re-enforcing concepts.
Tom
I have related personal experiences while discussing certain topics which in turn gets the students thinking about their own experiences. I also give frequent quizzes in classes where I have a lot of content to get through. In this way, the students can keep up with the material and hopefully see how it builds on itself. I try to get the graded quizzes back the next class period so the students can see their grades and ask questions while the information is fresh in their mind.
I believe in the classroom setting there is no wrong answer. Ask a student a question and build from there. The response could be incomplete or not exactly what you were expecting but it's not the wrong answer.
Lindsey,
I agree with the need to let students bring in some of their own life experiences. By doing so you are letting them see the connection between their previous experiences and how they can help to enhance and shape their career development. Life is an ongoing growth opportunity so the more experiences all of us have the more opportunities we have to make the right decisions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think letting them share some of their experiences from their lives help to make them feel involved and allows them to engage. If it is completely valid the instructor may even ask to borrow than example to share with future students.
Wendy,
I use guest speakers a lot in my classes for the reason you state. Students get excited hearing from someone in the field. They start to see themselves in that role and this increases their motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Regina,
Thank you for sharing this method of getting input from all students, even the more shy ones. It is important to hear from everyone throughout the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like your point about everyone having an opportunity to add something. Many times I have a student who just doesn't volunteer information; shyness, lack of confidence or new in class. I try to draw them into the discussion and get some kind of response, if nothing else to help them blend into the class as a whole. Soon, the other students begin to include them in the humorous aspects of class, and then the ice breaks.
An example of effective motivation technique that instructors can use is possibly bring in a successful previous student as a guest speaker to motivate the students on what the future can hold
Lamarr,
Good way to show the progress the have made in the course and to reinforce what they have learned in a practical way. This way they can see both relevancy and application to their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to involve my students from the first day of class to the last day. I find asking my students what lead them to come to school for this career, and then reinforcing them that their past experiences will help them as they move forward in school really motivates them. They feel like they have made the right choice and it propels their motivation to learn and master the course. Toward the end of the course I would ask them that from what they learned has it changed they way they look at themselves in this field, and generally the answer is yes that they feel more confident with the knowledge they have received. I think this motivates them to face the following courses.
Gonzalo,
Two very powerful words for students. Recognition and Reward! It works with elementary students and it works with adult students. Students like to see that they are recognized for their efforts and rewarded for their hard work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe recognition and reward are the most important factors to communicate a job well done by my students. Extra credit and extracurricular activities are factors that play an important role in the motivation, engagement, interest, and continuation of my student's education.
Chandra,
I am a big fan of using motivational quotes. By taking a few seconds to review the quote you are setting the tone for a positive and engaging class session.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I write a motivational quote on the board every morning to get them inspired and my students now look for them every day and talk about them.
Yolanda,
Assessments can take many forms and you are offering a choice to your students. The key is to assess what they have learned in the course. How you do that is up to your professional judgement and expertise. Sounds like a fun final project.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One technique that I have used for motivating students who prefer not to take test is to allow the other option of writing an article critique from a peer reviewed article. Or I have given them the opportunity to create a garbage art project in lieu of an exam. The ones that would take the garbage art project enjoyed their work and felt accomplished.
Barbara,
All great ways to increase the motivation of students and help make the content more relevant to their lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Field trips, discussions, real life scenarios in the work place.
