Some instructors may use extra credit opportunities, attendance incentives, and incentives for class participation. Some may use bonus points for certain questions in discussion, on quizzes, or research work.
Hi Allen,
Thank you for sharing these different instructional strategies. I know these will be of great help to other instructors that are looking for ways to remember names and ramp up their instructional approach.
Gary
Hello All,
I hope everybody is having a great day! When working with career college students, there are some motivation techniques that I use. Well, the first point is not really a technique, but rather being true to who I am as a person and my vocation. The first important point is to truly care about the adult learners in the classroom and their situation in life and goals. I do not think this can be taught. It has to be a part of the person.
If the first point is met, then I always make sure I learn the students' names right away. I usually do a game where I pick weird things to remember their names and I go down the line. For example, if somebody is named Austin, I will say Austin, Texas to remember the name. If somebody is named Mark, I will say Mark the Shark, and so on. What is funny is that the first few days of class if I forget a name, a student might say "shark" and then I will remember it is Mark. Of course you have to be respectful, and this strategy has always worked for me.
Another thing I do is I always bring in case studies or exercises at least once per week related to the field of study of my students, even if outside my field. If outside my field, then I do some research. Students really appreciate this.
These are some of the steps I take.
Have a great day!
Allen
Hi Terena,
Thank you for your comments about how it affects you when your students have success. This is the sign of a true professional. I can never hear too many of these stories since they always motivate me to want to try even harder with my instructional efforts.
Gary
During our classes, I have tried to help the students understand how their assignments relate to their career. Sometimes it is hard to keep some of the students interested in the accounting classes. When I see that the students are strugglging, I explain to them that sometimes they just need to follow the instructions on how to do the particular assignment. If they just continue to practice, even if they are only following instructions, they will eventually have that "a-ha" moment. For me, that is the most satisfying part of being an instruction, to see their eyes light up and to tell me that they finally get it and do not have to just follow instructions.
Through a thorough identification of students and their backgrounds, instructors can incorporate learning activities and scenarios that bring practical application of the content to students' expectations and knowledge base.
Instructing in an Online Career College environment can be challenging and at times it is difficult to find effective motivation techniques.
What I have found that motivates students is to provide them with personal information about myself that they can use to see the "human" side of myself as an instructor.
I create a discussion forum in which each student will introduce him/herself to the class and I make it a point to comment on every post and also take notes in regards to something that I might be able to connect on a personal level to each student.
Some other techniques include calling students just to see how they are doing and if they have any questions that might not have been addressed through the course content.
I love teaching at the online level and try to motivate as many students as possible.
Kim H.
Students need to know that when they put forth an effort, it will be noticed (even if the effort leads to an incorrect answer). One of the things I award is "partial" credit for work attempted but not necessarily correct. Of course that comes at the same time as immediate feedback. The student is then not afraid to try any problem.
Giving feedback as quickly as you can, instantly if possible. Remaining positive, and turning any negative into a positive is my method of choice. I believe in every gray cloud there is a silver lining, we just need to look for it.
Hi Kim,
Peer support and encouragement can go a long ways in helping struggling students to stay engaged. This is a great complement to your abilities as an online instructor.
Gary
We rely heavily on our discussion board and I find that students are also often motivated by each other. Students praise other's responses, ask question, and connect with other students by sharing their similiar personal experiences. It is neat to see the development and connections that can grow in this unique environment.
A motivation technique that I use personally is adapting a story to my main points. Though this may not work for some instructors, the topics that I work with and lecture on have real world applications. I feel that by doing so, the students see applicability to the lesson and after three hours of lecture they are still able to stay with me. Applying real life stories to main points has been a never fail with me.
I have seen that when actual examples are placed infront of students to which they can relate to rather than a long lecture about a concept works wonders and is a big motivator.
For Career College students, being able to take what you learn home is so important. In addition, when they can share what they know with other students it not only makes them feel important, but it also allows them to make the connection between what was taught and how it can be applied.
I find that asking students to give examples of applying the current lessons or concepts to their home or work environment makes it personal and relevant, and increases their interest to and retention of the subject matter. For instance, when we discuss sustainable use of scarce resources, they are asked to give examples of specific strategies they can apply to recycling of paper, metals, or other materials in their own home or in their office.
In addition to bringing in real life examples to assist with motivation in the class room, I recently experimented by letting my students prepare an exam. It gave them an opportunity to work in groups, it also was a great use of time for them to study the content since they were preparing it. Once they had their questions and answers completed, I compiled them and presented it to them during the following class. They all did well. I felt this helped them to motivate themselves to study, ultimatley it motivated them to do good.
Hi Tamara,
Good point about the need for clear and specific directions. Students should not spend time wondering what the instructor wants. They should have a clear idea and then progress to completing the assignment. Otherwise they are going to spend time trying to figure out what is required and this will increase their frustration levels.
Gary
I find that when I am discussing philosophies of management or ideas behind human resource that my students may have trouble relating as most are not in a position to apply techniques at this point in time. I have to get them to imagine where they will be in 3-5 years and see if what they are learning could be applied then. Since they want to advance they see themselves in a management position. At that point the lessons become much more relevant.
Since I instruct an online course, I believe that "live" communication between myself and the students is even more critical. I encourage students to engage in "live" conversations with me as opposed to e-mail and IM.
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. In the process, some of the teacher's enthusiasm will be transmitted to the students, who will be more likely to become interested. Similarly, teachers should spend more time explaining exactly what is expected on assignments or activities.
