Get Your Students Hired
Hi Lucy,
Having never taught accounting but having taken several accounting courses that I thought would go on forever (I wasn't a good accounting student if you haven't guessed that already) I would suggest trying to create some competition between the students would be helpful.
Is it possible to set up teams and have competitions in relation to solving problems or balancing general ledgers? The key is to even though the material may seem to be dry by creating a game of it you can get the student engaged. The games might be played every few days, for test reviews or at the end of units. So the students learn the content and then get to use it in a game format.
Hope this is of help.
Gary
What are some examples of effective motivation techniques that career college instructors can use in their classes?
Since I teach Accounting, there are concrete answers, so knowing that the students are grasping the information by knowing what accounts get credited and debited. Also knowing how to balance the general ledger or bank reconciliations are other ways of effective motivation because they can actually see and apply what they are learning.
Hi Ulises,
Good point. I am a big fan of the "immediate use of newly acquired knowledge" saying. Your method is just that. They hear it, see it, learn it and apply it. That is what skill development is all about.
Gary
I always trying to bring positive energy into the classroom with me. This kind of stuff is contagious. When they see that I am very interested and excited about the material I am discussing it usually has an entertainment factor to help me keep their attention and for them to want to participate.
Allowing the students to immediately put their new skills to use is very motivational. I work at an automotive school and I have seen the student get very excited when they get to bring their own vehicle in to work on it. If the student gets to apply the knowledge immediately and on something that directly allows them to benefit from it, they will be motivated.
The instructor needs to continuously remind the students that what they are learning will be used in their new professions. If the students know they will be performing their new skills on patients it often makes them more motivated in the classroom and lab.
Use real world examples that give meaning to the topical materials being learned at any given time. You can select from what is happening in the world around us, or call out student experiences that relate to the materials at-hand.
Either way, I always motivate by letting the learners know that my goal in their instruction is for them to actually "use" something learned immediately in their lives. Then I solicit that feedback that says it is, or isn't?
This lets me know the relevance of the topics and my methods for transfering the learning on those topics.
Thanks
I do agree these are motivational techniques that will be helpful in a class.
Some of the most effective motivation techniques come from real life experiences. It is hard to be motivational if you do not know the subject.
Instructors must demonstrate obvious energy and enthusiasm about their subject while lecturing and/or involved in classroom activities. They do this by speaking of personal stories, standing and speaking with hands, and showing real emotion for topics being discussed.
I agree. using personal stories and being able to make a connection to the "real world" helps make the information given relevant to the students.
I really try to stick to real life sotries and that helps the students understand...texbook and real life....
When a student can relate a topic in the class setting to something they have experienced in a clinical setting they are able to use it to motivate them to experience more.
I think students get motivated when they can share experiences that they have and when they hear experiences of the instructor and other classmates.
I've found that my motivation and continued excitement for the field of study help keep others motivated.
Hi Melanie,
Many of our students are involved in family care and working to the extent that they are stretched very thin. By knowing this you can help them work through the different situations that occur that might lead them to quitting school. By being aware you are there to support them as needed.
Gary
I like to ask my students if they are parents or work a full or part time job, if they care for an elderly parent etc. at appropriate times to make them feel like they are not alone. Having them share in specific instances helps them feel more comfortable in participating in my classroom.
As an instructor at a Technical College, I try to keep everything as real as possible. Students use what they learn every day. Therefore I also think that the retain much more than if they were instructed in theory only.
I've found that students are motivated when they are actively participating in group discussions, or sharing their own experiences relevant to the content being discussed.