Positive experiences from former students who have now graduated and are now successful motivates my students to persevere in their current learning and know that there is the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel".
By knowning the course material the instructor can use the students experience and prior education to keep the students engaged thus motivated.
Since I teach Speech Communication, I often show videos of effective speeches in class. To motivate students, I ask them all to bring in a link to a favorite speech of theirs to share with the rest of the class, and try to watch the videos throughout the semester to make them feel they are contributing to the class content. We discuss each one and analyze it for effectiveness. I find the students are more willing to share their ideas about each others' speeches a bit more than the ones I have chosen!
Immediate feedback is one excellent source of motivation for a student. I found this is a direct encouranging tool because the student feels I am aware and on point with his progress whether it is in the area of improvement or success.
To motivate my students I allow them to contribute their own experiences in class. It helps them relate to the subject and feel involved.
I agree with learning the students names, it makes them feel important plus, I always start by asking review questions from the previous lectures and engage the students by telling in the their own words what they have learned up to this point.
I teach medical classes and in lab I explain by try and error... I ask them what can happen if they keep repeating the same mistake and a then ask what would be a better way of doing.
1. Personal comments
2. Comment when the student does a good job on a quiz or test
3. Tell the students how much you enjoy having all of them in your class.
4. Tell them about the stories that you have been motivated with in your life
5. always tell them 'I can do it"
I use lot of pictures, one line sayings, stories, charts on my powerpoint to motivate them once in a while.
I agree learning their names makes them feel valued to the instructors
Daniel,
This is because you are listening to them and you care about them as human beings. This is the human factor in teaching. This sets the stage for a very successful class because the students know they have a dedicated and professional learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always remember my student’s names within the first 3 days of class. I also try to remember any details about them that they tell me, such as that they have 2 children.
Joseph,
Students really like hear stories about the past experiences of their instructors. These stories help the content to come alive and become personal for them because the start to relate to you and how you progressed in your own career.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the best motivation techniques for me has always been personal experience. Being able to show a student that I started out in the same place they are, and sharing my growth throughout my career, to the point of now standing in front of them teaching. I find this works well in keeping a student motivated. If I can do it, so can they.
Danny,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. All of us instructors can use all of the methods we can to remember so many names in so many different settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Totally agree with remembering names but with classes often exceeding 30 students, memory often refuses to cooperate. As a result, I often scribble a rough chart (for my eyes only) at the beginning of each class. After a few scribbling episodes, each name comes to the forefront.
John,
This sharing is important for everyone because every person in the class has a story to tell and a reason for being there. Knowing this information helps to set the stage for the coming class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Amanda,
Helping them to see their future and the opportunities they will have in their career is so important in keeping students engaged in the learning process. They need to be reminded why they enrolled in school in the first place at different times through their courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Luanna,
I personally think we need to always maintain a professional image and address individuals in a professional way. This helps to set boundaries for the students as well as show them that we respect them and in turn will work to earn their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When students begin in my class I give them my history and why I am in the field I am then I give each of them an opportunity to share why they have chosen their field of study and what excites them about it.
Great response,
I also on the first day as each student why they chose this career path, was it a desire from childhood, person interaction with someone that made them think about this career. usually this is not only a great ice breaker, but also helps reinforce why they are there
While understanding my students at different levels of education,age,life experiences and economic status it has been my experience that when you help the student see the vision for their future it becomes very motivating. Praise and positive reinforcement stimulates the student to want to achieve higher standards and to have self confidence as well as higher self esteem. Sometimes we are the students only "cheerleader" when life is taking a toll on them our praises give much needed encouragment and support to push through those less motivating times.
