Setting initial goals and learning objectives is a good start but also having the passion of your profession and generating excitement about what we teach will drive home the importance of what the students are learning. We must be the initial spark to ignite the desire for them to learn and grow as professionals
Instructors are important factors in student motivation to engage in a learning environment. Utilizing experience, expertise, and spiced with energy enthusiasm,the classroom environment will be transformed into a dynamic never ending exchange of free-flowing ideas.
Adding motivating experiences that I have had to the learning material.
I project a positive attitude and begin each day with a inspirational quote located on the board.
Instructors are motivating when they have kind and up building words of encouragement. Students feel motivated when instructors recognize the effort they’re putting forth.
I believe students can relate to my instruction because I at one time did exactly what they are doing now and I can tie the class instruction to what they will experience in the field, practical knowledge.
Ashley,
I like the way you personalize it to your students in relation to why they are preparing to enter the field in the first place. This approach helps them to stop and remember their past and what they saw about the field that attracted them to it.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Having an attitude that exudes excitment for the subject matter at hand. Saying, "I love this topic, because..." then explaining why helps get students going...
I teach for a career college and have been teaching here for some time. Even though I have some classes I have taught over 50 times, I find them to be very exciting each and every time. Why? Because even though the material is the same, the students are not. They change the dynamics of the information every time. I make sure to tell them and show them of my enthusiasm with this example.
I move through the room. I call attention to the times when I get so excited the hair on my arms stands on end. I make sure they understand what passion is and how cool it is to work in a career in which I get to follow my passion. It is not a job even though when I first starting teaching, it was just that, a job.
I make sure we laugh and some times cry. I explain why I like the topic and why I find value in teaching it. Hopefully, they return the interest through their work and participation.
I motivate my students when I am enthusiastic about what I am teaching. I know I am coming across that way to my students when they relay to me that "this is your passion!" My students become motivated by my enthusiasm.
Upon enrolment students are asked a variety of questions, one of which being what their motivation for taking the program is. Using this as a starting point, I try to develop relationships with the students so that I can see their reasoning for taking this program.
The majority of my students are coming from a divorce or custody battle and enjoyed the pace and work that they saw the legal assistants providing. If a student calls me feeling ready to give up, I am able to remind why they signed up in the first place, as well as reminding them of where they are going.
This type of motivation really seems to help the students get their heads cleared and get back to the material at hand.
I like to let the students chime in and share their experiences when the situation warrants. Then I paraphrase for the group and tie what the student just shared into the lesson, or some other pertinent real world situation that may transpire in the field.
Renata,
Even though our students are adults they respond to reinforcement and rewards. Knowing you are recognizing their effort is important to their development in the course. Good job in keeping them engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The best way to motivate students is to reinforce each student when they engage in class discussions and come to class. One of my incentives is to play review games and offer candy as a reward. Students love this type of learning method and respond well. Ultimately, most of my students do very well in my course.
That is a great idea, I feel that portfolio building is better and can motivate students as well.
Steven,
Congratulations on making your field "real" for your students. You are showing them that not only are they acquiring knowledge and skill related to a field but also acquiring a way of life in their ability to help others. You are sharing stability and opportunity in employment and that alone should be enough to capture their interest, considering how things are today.
Keep up the good work. You are having a major impact on the lives of your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
There are many different ways that an instructor can motivate his or her students. I think when an instruct is already present in class when all of the students arrive is very important. I make sure that I am always the first person in our classroom each day. The students notice this extra effort on my part and they know that I am putting forth the maximum effort to prepare that particular day's material. The students know that I work a split shift and I do not get to bed until fairly late each night. Yet, I am the first to arrive in the morning. This demonstrates to them that I am highly motivated to get to class early and to be fully prepared when class starts on time. I have told my classes that in my previous job, I went over five years straight without ever missing a day. They seem very surprised by this fact. But I quickly let them know that this should be the norm not the unusual. Such a work ethic shows the physicians that the employee knows how important it is to be dependable and steady. I relate how my employer rewarded me with above average raises for my efforts. When appropriate, I like to remind my students that I have had continued employment in the radiology field since I entered it in 1994 until present. I have never gone without a job during this entire span and, as a matter of fact, I have usually held down two positions at the same time. This helps to reinforce to the students that the medical field is probably the most stable field in our economy and it has been for quite some time. I tell my students that they have made an excellent decision to obtain a skill in the medical field. These are some of the ways that I can help motivate my students by personal experience. I frequently relate to the students that I have never truly had a "bad day" in this occupation. I tell them that it has never really felt like a typical job. I love what I do and all of the aspects of being a radiographer. I also let the students know that there are so many different directions that a radiographer can go for further advancement.
Positive feedback. Giving the students extra time during office hours as needed. Talking to them and listening regarding their concerns and issues. I find that treating them like they have value and worth is sometimes the easiest and simplest way to get them to perform up to their potential. If they feel like they have something to offer, they give it!
John,
A great master plan for teaching. This information is going to be valuable to beginning instructors. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Great point. When you have the content mastered, know your students, and have created the environment where the students can take risks without fear of humiliation, then you can truly transcend the message incorporating a good mixture of fun and entertainment. The classroom is your stage as long as you remain respectful, honest, and believable.
