practicing the skills in the lab setting and working on the case studies allow students the opportunities to apply their knowledge and master their skills. Students feel competent when they are able to perform a skill or solve a problem.
I get to know my students and what is going on in their lives. At the end of each quarter, we have fellowship over a covered dish lunch.
I share my experience in the field and then turn the discussion over to the students. This helps re-inforce the subject matter and also gives the students a sense of contribution to the class. Also students tend to remember what other students say over the instructor.
In some of my classes, if I have encountered a circumstance, i expound on taht point to the class. Often it is presented in such a way as to ask, "did this circumstance meet with what the lesson was presenting? and if so, how?" Invariably a student will have had a similar occurrance and this will then allow for discussion as to the finer points as directed by curriculum, and surprisingly, they do get the idea, and it works.. both myself, my students, and the student with the experience are richer for the discussion and transference of ideas and skills is easier to achieve in the long run
Hi Joesph,
This really helps students to see relevancy and application with this method. They learn about it and then use it. This really helps them get the information and skills stored in their working memories.
Gary
I find that having the first part of the class to discuss theory and the second half to do a hands on lab is an excellent way for students to retain what was taught.
When students are working on group projects and I ask the class to help the student sitting next to them, I have some students say that they are not being paid to be an instructor. How do I address that comment?
I have found that involving the students in the discussions and providing a question and answer session after the lecture works great.
Hi Williams,
This is a good point that needs to be in the front of our minds as we plan our classes. Education is a learning process and as learners success will not be there every time but growth will be if it is seen as such. This is why the poem is so appropriate.
Gary
Even if they do badly in an assessment test and they are down, encourage them that they are not failures and there is another chance for them to make it up and they will be successful. There was a poem I read in my primary school days which always and still motivates me. It says that “If your task is hard try againâ€.
Hi Robert,
I know these experiences really increase the interest and motivation of your students. Hearing how you solved this problem or situation helps to make the learning real for the students. Keep up the good work and I wish you much success with your road racing.
Gary
I am a Automotive Performance Instructor and I use personal expeiences from my road race team to relate to the subject I teach. This personal experience adds to my credibility and motivates the class.
One technique that I use is to relate my personal experiences with how they impacted my educational accomplishments, and then ask other learners to share theirs as well.
Hi Milton,
Great way to introduce a subject that causes fear in many students. I like the way you apply the concepts of math in a practical way. Wish I had had you as an instructor when I was taking math. It was a horrible experience because theory was the foundation of our math rather than application, thus I knew how formulas were created but didn't know why I needed math principles.
Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Gary
I teach in a career college and I find that if I can show the students where the material I am teaching is used they are much more successful. I teach math and sometimes can't show specific examples of applications, however I tell them I can give these examples. I further explain that math is a system of rules and building blocks that allows one to progress to the next higher level where I can show specific examples. I also motivate my students by getting them involved in problem solving. I occassionally offer extra credit that requires a little research and most can obtain with a little effort. An example: When teaching the metric system I tell the students there are only three countries that don't use the metric system and ask them to bring in the names of those countries.
Hi Richele,
When student come into class they are often carrying pressure from their outside lives. By knowing they will be supported and encouraged by their instructor they can relax a bit and concentrate on being successful in the class. Good way to start off a new class on a positive note.
Gary
I find that encouraging statements "you can do this" "give yourself more credit" motovate students, also congradulating good scores on tests life work stories and examples where the student imagines themselves in the work place using the skills learned.
Hi Ken,
You make good points in relation to critical elements of learning success - support materials and faculty concern. If students know clearly what they are to do and have the materials to back them up as well as caring faculty then their chances of success are going to be much higher.
Gary
Students are motivated by a number of factors, some of which were included in the supporting materials, and others not. Students are motivated when they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. This reduces uncertainty and the sense of hopelessness that some can get from being unclear. Some are de-motivated and feel they just can't do it. Second, a sense of empathy and caring from the faculty member goes a long way to motivating students that otherwise feel like "cattle" being herded along. Showing that I am human, and that I care about a student as an individual contributes greatly to a robust atmosphere of motivation and learning.
Ken Orgill
Hi Nancy,
Students love to hear stories from the field so sharing your career experiences with them is a good thing to do. Just make sure that you don't ramble and that you select a story that has direct application to the topic being discussed. This way you will be reinforcing the content with the students through the story.
Gary
