I ask the students if they have had any experience in the topic that we are discussing.
I teach a finance class. I find that talking about past financial mistakes that either myself or my clients have experienced is a good motivator for my students to learn the material. Everyone wants to do well in life, and money is a very personal topic. Budgeting and saving for retirement can be boring topics. However, when I describe how one can either fail or succeed, students begin to take it personally.
Hi Yowanda,
Students really like to hear stories from their instructors. These stories help to make the content real for them. Good point and one that instructors need to incorporate into their instructional planning.
Gary
I find that sharing career experiences really helps the students to visualize what is at the end of the rainbow. When their finished with their training for a career and they must activate their training specialities. It's kind of like a reality check.
Hi Karne,
All good strategies to increase the motivation level of students. The more variety of learning options you offer and the greater the connection between the classroom and the real world the higher the motivation is going to be. Personal stories and guest speakers are always great ways to increase the interest level of students because they get to hear about relevancy and application of their content.
Gary
There are a variety of effective motivation techniques that career college instructors can use. Some of the things that I do include the following. First, I like to give immediate recognition to student responses in class with a comment like "Good job" or "Great Response." Second, I like to always return all written work the very next class with their grade and comments on it. The students want to know how they did and want feedback on it. Third, I share personal stories of former students who have experienced success, failure, and adversity. Fourth, I like to have students share their personal experiences through student selected research presentations. Fifth, I try to have atleast one guest speaker or go on one field trip in each course. Students seem to enjoy the course when the instructor uses more than one motivational technique.
How I motivate students is to have fun with some review games before their test and I have passion for what I teach and that passion is infectious.
The best motivation I've found is tailoring the suject to something they can do at home right now to make money. They come back to school the next monday ready for more.
Some recent research shows that many students do poorly on assignments or in participation because they do not understand what to do or why they should do it. Teachers should spend more time explaining why we teach what we do, and why the topic or approach or activity is important and interesting and worthwhile
To allow them to do hands on skills while lecturing will keep them motivated and connect what you are lecturing with showing it as well.
Hi Paul,
All good examples of how you can support and encourage student success. They are looking to you as the authority so when you tell them they are doing well in the course they really increase their motivation.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
Examples of effective motivation techniques are: Acknowldging their success and progress. I like to call the student with best grade in a test as the king or queen of the test. Sometimes I motivate my students through opportunities for extra credit. Another example is to compliment great questions, or rewarding best presentation.
Hi Joel,
Two things are important based upon your comments. The what's in it for me, WIIFM and the return on investment, ROI. By knowing both of these things the students are going to be engaged and focused in the course.
Gary
Hi Jennifer,
Good point. If you bring enthusiasm to the classroom you have already set a positive tone for the students and the content of the course. Then it build from there. It is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Most people including students want to know what's in it for them. Especialy if there are going to commit a good amount of time and effort into it. An introduction of what the topic and or activity will usually be followed up by the benifits of a particular activity and what it means to them.
I think one of the best motivating techniques is enthusiasm over the material. There are times when some of the topics I discuss are rather dry. Humor and openness about the topic helps. I do believe students and the instructor feed off of each other's energy levels. If the topic is dry, I try to be more animated. I always try to be as upbeat as possible.
I teach automotive electrical calsses and I explain to the students not only how important the information is to fix the car correctly the 1st time but talk about how much more money they can make by understanding the material. Most of these students will work on a commission basis.
I took to heart the mid term slump information. I'm a bit past the mid term but the energy level has gone down. Since our next chapter is about communication and the last chapter was on leading I took the opportunity to kind of take a break by having the students do the communicating today. I broke them down in groups and assigned them business communication activities they had to present to the class. It was a BIG help and motivated us all today. Thanks for the information on these modules. I've learned a lot.
I like sharing stories with my students. It helps them make more of a connection with the material.
A passionate instructor can be very motivating to his/her students. The energy that the instructor has pours out into the students and they find themselves "wanting that".
