1) Modeling the caliber of instructor that my teaching institution expects.
2) Bringing a level of engagement to the class that draws them in and excuses none for not participating.
3) Sustaining a balance of learning, challenge and fun.
4) Always creating opportunities to bridge the episodic with the semantic.
Keveka,
I like your last sentence. By setting the stage for maximum learning the students will see success as an opportunity as well as the obligation.
Gary
As an instructor I can motivate my students by constantly giving encouragement and reinforcing to them that I am here for them. Also, I could motivate my students by helping them in the areas where they do not excel. By being younger than a lot of my students and around the same age as others, I could be a motivating factor as far as letting them know your never to old, young and it doesn't matter where you have come from, Don't make success a choice make it an obiglation.
Alvin,
Your last sentence gives some very good advice for instructors. By knowing what people want and how to appeal to their interests gives instructors insight on how to engage them in learning.
Gary
Some ways to be a motivating instructor are to believe in your subject, be physically and mentally healthy, and understand human psychology.
If you believe in your subject you are more apt to motivate your students to want to learn the subject.
If you are physically and mentally healthy then you are able to focus on your external environment (students, professional development, etc) instead of your internal environment (my belly hurts, I hate my wife, etc.). You will also have more energy to give your students.
It can be argued that teaching is knowing your subject material as much as knowing what motivates your students, so you can create the best learning environment possible. Understanding human psychology gives you a good baseline to frame your approach to reaching your students.
I am very passionate about the subject I teach. I display that passion to my students on the first day of class. Throughout the course, I relate the subject matter to their future jobs as much as possible.
I can be a motivating instructor by taking the time out to show why something small is important in the long run - even if it seems so boring and unimportant now.
Showing a sincere interest in the success of each and every student. Developing rapport by listening and and showing an interest in helping them overcome obstacles that may interfer with their education. Bottom line is to believe in them and show it each and everyday. Humor helps alot, I am a comedian during those times when things seem hoh hum....getting them to laugh increases oxygen, elevate mood and turn the "I want to stay home and sleep" into "I am really glad I came to school today".
For me, being a motivated instructor comes with my approach to the days instruction. If I stay upbeat, and enthusiastic about what the days instruction will be, I will convey the motivation from myself to my students. Each day comes with it's own challenges. I find that I must put off any negativity that may come from outside the classroom, and stay positive, or I don't come across to my students as motivated.
The classes I teach most often are nearly all computer based where students work in a self-paced environment. These motivational strategies are a challenge, but a good challenge. I need to sit with each student more so that I can get to know them better. Then when they have questions, I can work with them more closely and relate the math to their experiences. Great ideas in this!
Joe,
What are some strategies you use to encourage and support your students and their success in your class?
Thanks for you input on this.
Gary
when teaching someone the the teacher should always be up lifting and very positive,that will help motivate the student to do better an to continue progressing.
Sandy,
So true and so important. We are helping to create in the minds of our students what a professional in our field looks and acts like.
Gary
Ways to be a motivating instructor is to empower and encourage your students. In encouraging and motivating the students builds a rapport with them.
As an instructor we can be such positive role models for our field. By coming into class each day and showing alot of excitement for our field of study it is hard for students to just sit there and not become excited and enthusiastic about the subject matter also.
I feel like that as an instructor I set the tone for evertyhing that happens during the class period. Before, during and after the lecture I should be as excited about presenting new information or reviewing previous lecture materials as I expect my students to be about learning it, maybe even moreso. As the head of the class it is my responsibility to present the information to the student in as way that sparks enthusiasm, expectation, and an extraordinary desire to learn.
I always end the discussion with a what did we learn today session by reviewing the goals set forth in the beginning of class. I end the class with an overview of the next lecture material and show the students how the pieces fit together. I believe they appreciate my excitement about the material and my desire to make it relevsant to them.
Exactly. But it can go beyond success in their particular field. If possible, show students how the skills you're teaching and the information they're absorbing can be used in other fields or in everyday situations outside the field of study to troubleshoot everyday problems or deal with ordinary situations. The more practical uses you can show for information, the more enthusiastic a student will be about learning it.
Sharing personal experiences can serve to motivate students. Also, demonstrating empathy and understanding, soliciting student participation by having them share personal experiences, encouraging students, or presenting material in fun and innovative ways can all be used as sources of motivation.
the best way to be a motivating instructor is to know yourself. If you are confident with self, then you will have confidence to do what is needed to do.
Simple... just be enthusiastic about what you do and SMILE all the time
