I give students in comp classes a chance to apply what they learn about argumentative papers by submitting letters to the editor, etc., for which they can earn extra credit. I also direct students to submit personal adventure and experience essays to a website my son created for sharing anecdotes with others, also for extra credit. Each time the student sees he is valued when his thoughts appear in a publication and that he is read by the public on the website, he is more motivated to write better and with a purpose.
making the student be the quess speaker for the class.(on subject matter they fimiliar with )`
My students are always more motivated when I offer an extra incentive--extra credit, prizes, candy, pizza.
I teach courses that are required--so, many students are less than enthusiastic about the class and it's content.
Right off the bat, I like to offer the students a change to creatively express themselves in an essay and we share those essays upon completion.
Student often really enjoy this experience--learning that they are all humans--and maybe that they have things in common. It also helps them connect to students with like experiences and helps foster interest and discussion.
Hi Jammie,
Keep up the good work. I can tell you have real excitement about your field. By sharing examples that are a part of the lives of your students you are "connecting the dots" for them. The can see application and relevancy which is very important for student success.
Gary
To take a complated subject or concept and make it simple through you experence, helps the student learn more than they could on their owne. I put larg amounts of energy and passion in to every demonstration and presentation and the students feed off that energy.
I try to apply to the information in a way that makes sense to students. For instance, to explain the difference between long and short-term liabilities, I appied both to household items. Accounting isn't an easy subject for many to grasp, so I'm contantly trying to find other topics that I can relate the information to. It can be a bit of a challenge, but seeing that light go on for students is worth it.
I try and motivate my students with a variety of examples of success. Those that had to work really hard and are successful and those that just got lucky. It is hard to motivate students in a lower SES and I have found if you can give relevant examples of how all different types of people were successful it is motivating. I also tell them the mistakes and failures that I have had and learned from so they can understand that is is not always about the success, but what you learn from your mistakes. "It is the journey that is important, not the destination" (unknown)
Hi Alexander,
This approach really reinforces what has been covered. They start to see relevancy and application to what they are learning. This approach also helps them to personalize the content to their own situation and that increases their motivation.
Gary
After having covered what it is, how it works, what happens when it doesn't work and how to diagnose it, I try to use anecdotal experiences, trials and errors of how this affected my work and what they could expect in theirs.
Turn it around and let them imagine how this knowledge could help them succeed, even if only in one small area.
Some examples that I use for motivation techniques is by establishing relationships with each student. I learn abut the student at the beginning of the class and I create questions that apply to the student's previous knowledge and/or experience, so the student can bring themselves into the course material...this I found is the most important way to motivate students in a career college as it gives them 'by in' and a reason to move forward.
Hi Bruce,
You are doing a great job offering a wide variety of learning experiences for your students. Each of these activities help the students to see the big picture of where they are going to be when they complete their schooling. These are great motivators to keep the engaged in the learning process.
Gary
I give immediate feedback that the students can build on. We have a measurement quiz in the first week. Then I work with each student and their menu cost card before the major assignemnt is due. I also have a field trip in the first week and guest luncheon on day 6.
I have found that positive feedback it very powerful. Also constructive criticism followed up why positive criticism.
My most successful motivating moments have been when I am relating personal and professional life experiences to what they are learning. It is very difficult for young students with very little job experience to truly understand the demands that the culinary industry will be putting on them and how they will have to be able to multi-task and stay focused under the most extreme circumstances. I tell them about the time that as a line cook I had a night when (all at the same time) orders were piled up, an ex employee came into the kitchen to argue with the head chef, a customer passed out in the restaurant, servers took plates to the wrong table and things had to get re-done and all we could do was stay focused and we eventually got through it and laughed about it later. I try to remind students that even at their worst moment, eventually it will be over and if they focus they will get through it. That is a motivator!
Clarify the relevence of the material taught.
Using enthusiasm and putting them in your shoes.
Patricia,
I like your method of keeping material fresh and current for students. I feel this is an important aspect of keeping students interested in the course material. Students enjoy learning the course material when it incorporates information from new/recent material, events, etc.
Some examples of effective motivation techniques for career college instructors are timely and effective feedback of students’ assignments. It is important to provide timely feedback for assignments, so that they know their progress or areas needing improvement. Students want to know this, so that they have a better understanding of how to proceed with their next assignments. Another example of effective motivation for career college instructors is to give students encouraging words. This would pertain to students who are doing well, as well as giving encouragement to students who are not doing well. A phone call, email or IM to a student not doing well with words of support and encouragement can make a difference as to whether the student continues in the course or not.
Thier motovation can be very private, maybe they are proving a point or just wanted to. This may or may not be opened up to use as teachers, we may have to discover it along the way. It will still be fun.
Hi Kristi,
You are right about the students using their family and friends as motivation tools. If we can key in on this and encourage them as needed they will get fired up and work hard to be successful for their family and friends. We need to work hard at keeping them connected to their motivation bases as much as possible.
Gary
