Students who do not yet have powerful intrinsic motivation to learn can be helped by extrinsic motivators in the form of rewards. Rather than criticizing unwanted behavior or answers, reward correct behavior and answers. Remember that adults and children alike continue or repeat behavior that is rewarded. The rewards can (and should) be small and configured to the level of the students. Small children can be given a balloon, a piece of gum, or a set of crayons. Even at the college level, many professors at various colleges have given books, lunches, certificates, exemptions from final exams, verbal praise, and so on for good performance. Even something as apparently "childish" as a "Good Job!" stamp or sticker can encourage students to perform at higher levels. And the important point is that extrinsic motivators can, over a brief period of time, produce intrinsic motivation. Everyone likes the feeling of accomplishment and recognition; rewards for good work produce those good feelings.
Students respond with interest and motivation to teachers who appear to be human and caring. Teachers can help produce these feelings by sharing parts of themselves with students, especially little stories of problems and mistakes they made, either as children or even recently. Such personalizing of the student/teacher relationship helps students see teachers as approachable human beings and not as aloof authority figures. Young people are also quite insecure, and they secretly welcome the admission by adults that insecurity and error are common to everyone. Students will attend to an adult who appears to be a "real person," who had problems as a youth (or more recently) and survived them.
In my online math class, I encourage students who are struggling to involve family members in their studies. Many of those students discover that they can learn well from their children who are in elementary or middle school. They also tell me that their relationships with their children become more positive. The children see their parent as a learner and themselves as a teacher. The students are motivated by the desire to make their children proud of their work ethic and success.
Hi Betty,
Good plan for earning the respect of your students while developing rapport with them. By showing them the relevancy of the course content you are helping them to make the connections between the classroom and the real world. Good job.
Gary
We do group Mock Interviews in our Career Development class. Asking the students to participate by offering feedback for each other in the form of one positive item and one area they could improve seems to keep them engaged. They often have very perceptive comments that are valuable to the other students.
I agree Chasidy. I also believe feedback can help encourage and motivate students. Students can gain from constructive feedback and essential to students learning.
In my classroom I learn my students' names early in the quarter and use them in the classroom. I ask for background on my students and when I communicate with them I bring in instances from their own backgraound that can serve as a lesson or practical application of the material. Whenever possible I try to find examples of how a student will use the information in the classroom in their careers.
share their own experience and how this has help him/her.
By encourage the students to be part of the practical demonstartion by example, will motivate them to be prepared better for the class and to demonstarte their ability in exposing their experience.
Hi Ricardo,
How to you draw your students out and get them to talking/discussing in class? Thanks in advance for sharing your techniques.
Gary
More dialogue on the lecture, encourage students to ask questions. Participate group discussions
I agree with you, John. I think that the key to what you are saying as well is that "when presented correctly" - because in the online environment - when they can't hear your tone or see your face, it can be tricky to use comedy and sarcasim - but I do this as well...and it works in making that important connection!
Toni
I agree with you, TC - that they need to hear personal stories from you as an instructor. And I feel that if you don't have a story of your own - you can "borrow" a story that is relatable and then the students connect in that way as well.
Toni
I motivate by encouragement - I write some type of comment on every assignment I grade even if it is something like, "Great job!" "You're in the game!" or "Thanks for sharing!" I think even minimal encouragement on assignments as well as in the discussion board is important so that the students can see you in all elements of the classroom - and I believe that in itself is motivating to students.
Toni
Hi Frank,
Right you are about the need for frequent and accurate feedback. It is easy to feel isolated as an online student but by receiving regular feedback a student will stay engaged throughout the course.
Gary
Feedback is a big motivator to an online learner. They need to have a connection with the instructor and know how their grade was determined. They need to know what they did well and not so well.
Motivating online students is a challenge. I cannot "see" my students to read their body language. I teach algebra which most of my students hate and are not afraid to admit it!
Any motivation techniques anyone has for online students would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Colleen
Frequent feedback that includes positive feedback is effective motivation for the college instructor. Pointing out what a student does well is just as important as pointing out what they need to work at improving.
Oddly, on our bulletin board I change it out to with students' pictures and bios that are about to go out to clinicals, that are graduating, and what we call "our shiny new students". They see themselves on the bulletin board, and it makes it real. They have entered the field, reached a milestone, are have graduated. They seem pleased with seeing themselves in that category and a picture for all to see. Of course they will comment it isn't a great picture, or it looks like a mug shot, but still with a smile and they are pleased with the recognition.
Or share a success story of a former student now in a qualified potion in the field.
I believe there are several ways to motivate students. Maybe the most important way is to make the students feel included. I believe this begins the first day of class with an introduction activity during which there is interaction between student/instructor and student/student. Once the student is able to feel a bond with the class as a whole and with some individuals in the classroom, then he or she has one more reason to keep coming to class. I like to use one of two activities for introductions. 1) Pair up the students and have them interview one another and then present the partner to the class. Often I will give each pair a set of possible questions to use. 2) Use two truths and a lie. In this exercises each student (and me also) tells the class two truths and a lie about themselves. It is up to the class to decide which is the lie. This takes a little longer than the first one, but pays off in the knowledge gained of each person and usually the laughter that is shared.
Dolores Kiesler
