I like to include real world scenarios that appeal to many different types of students.
My students are constantly up and on their feet. Games motivate competition which all students seem to get involved in.
Motivation Techniques that I have used and have worked... inviting past students to come and speak to the class, having the class present topics of interest to them, taking the studnets into the field of practice and observing others. The instructor is instrumental in the motivation process.
When the students are comfortable enough to share their successes and occasionally a failure or two it seems to motivate and reinforce the purpose behind the study. Recently a student who is a crew member for a professional motorcycle team was proud of the fact the team manager awarded a substantial bonus for the team's winning the championship. He further explained about a few of the technical issues that confronted him personally during the season. As it turned out we were just beginning to cover one particular area that directly related.
Hi Pierre,
I don't see a problem at all with competition in the training process. When students graduate they are in competition for jobs and then success in their career field. They need to know how to "brand" themselves and set themselves apart from others. They can do this with their skills, drive and abilities. We instructors need to show our students how they can be successful if they want to put forth the effort.
Gary
In my environment, my current class students tend to congregate with former class students during break periods outside of class. A technique i like to use is to change what i deliver each day to the current class students as compared to the last class. This has been effective so far in keeping the students interested with what each new day brings. The material they discuss with other former students does pose relevance, yet keeps their interest peaked.
Encouraging students to share some of their own personal experiences as examples of examined scenarios helps motivate their peers to do the same. Real life experiences tend to bond learners together and assists them in working together as a team.
Unlike the module's indications I use a strong sense of competition in my classes which are relevant to a difficult and highly competitive field, namely professional photography. This craft has endured a tremendous change within the last few years and it is important to prepare our students to be highly competitive in the field in order to achieve their goals and a full time income from this craft.
I also use bonus points extensively to further encourage excellence, whilst allowing lesser talented or motivated students to "keep up" with the high standards of the class.
Finally, I use humor in a carefully controlled way to emphasize key points of information, as it wakes students up from the routine of a lecture and focuses them into accepting a key piece of information. The simple act of someone laughing brings more oxygen to the brain through the influx of air created by the physiological act of laughter.
i try to have students work with other students
I have found that getting to know a specific personal item can help focus and motivate a student. Knowing their hometown or work background can help an instructor to create an example that brings a student into a discussion or presentation.
Stephen,
Excellent example on your use of guest speakers in the course. I think that using movies or relevant current events is a great way to reinforce learning. Sometimes you have to be careful that your guest speaker is really bias. I know with economics I typically have a thin line between economics and politics. I really like the idea because it shows what type of position an economist can take on in the real world.
Dr. Meers,
Great question, I find that effective motivation techniques in the classroom can range based on your learner. I do find that if you are upfront from day one on your expectations a classroom can carry themselves in a better manner. I try to instruct students on my expectations in the course. I like to email students when they are doing well to encourage their participation and motivate them in the course. I also like to make sure the class as a whole knows how everyone did in the week assignments. So I will point out areas of improvement and areas of success.
Thanks,
Nick
To motivate students I like to involve the students in my classroom discussions. I especially like to draw upon their personal and professional experiences that they bring into the classroom. By using these experiences, we can share and discuss the given topics while relating on levels students buy into and also understand.
Hi John,
An instructor should use all the resources that are available which includes both personality and technology. Sounds like you are hitting all of the bases with your approach. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Most Students are here to learn a trade. Keeping the class subject relevant to what they will be experiencing in the workforce and how they will benefit from their learning tends to motivate the serious learners.
Pats on the back and an honest "Job Well Done" with a handshake can really help keep the learning process moving forward.
I tend to be an opportunist. I use personal experiences, guest speakers, comedy, sarcasim, news events etc... when presented correctly there are countless opportunities that can effectively be brought into the class room and used as motivational tools.
Hi Enrique,
How do you format your discussion sessions to help students describe their personal experiences in relation to the class content?
Gary
In my experience, when students of all ages have the ability to share their own personal experiences related to a subject. Generally this gives them a chance to relate what they have learned into their personal life.
Let students des cribe personal experiences
I am also a big fan of class projects. It is an opportunity for students to be creative, research a topic of interest, study an area that was probably not covered extensively in class, apply principles that were learned and receive credit and recognition (especially for students who are nervous in class discussion and not very good test takers).
