Hi Christopher,
You have a good approach to bring relevancy and application into your classroom. Your variety of delivery opportunities help to keep the students engaged and focused. Good job.
Gary
First know your students and the subject. Then add entertaining examples, support materials and stories that make the learning process more fun. Then re-motivate the students, by having them give examples from their experiences. The more you motivate your students the more they learn.
Hi James,
So true. If the instructor is not excited the students won't be either. We all know this but many instructors don't put forth the effort to keep the motivation level high for their students. Good point, thanks for sharing it.
Gary
Instructors need to demonstrate their passion and enthusiasm for the courses they teach. The instructor needs to blend their expertise, knowledge, and experiences into this enthusiasm to point out the relevency of learning.
Hi Edwin,
Good way to set the stage for successful learning each time the class meets. This is so important for the students to see as they enter the classroom/lab. Keep up the energy.
Gary
I welcome the students to class every day; with energy, emotion, and excitement about what ever we will be learning that day. I relate the topics of instruction to some relevent happening in my career, or that of a fellow technicians. Its important to reenforce the emotional fulfilment of working in an industry that bring so much personal satifaction - with monitary gains.
By showing your students how what they learn will benefit them in thier future and be enthuisiastic about your subject.
Hi Diane,
This approach really gets the students excited and invested in their training. The more real we can make it the more relevancy and application the students will see.
Gary
Demonstrate outward enthusiam and energy. Discuss revelant examples that the students may face in their career-choice to keep it "real" for the students and let the students know they may well face these types of examples themselves once they enter the field.
Hi Matthew,
Relevancy is critical for students to understand so they will be able to apply the content they are acquiring. This is what makes the course come alive for them and when this happens their motivation increases as well.
Gary
I try to motivate by finding a specific real world application for each of the students. WHen they get a sense of how the course content can impact their job, career or life they become very engaged.
My attitude is positive, my energy level is up, I greet my students, I smile a lot! It truly helps to thoroughly enjoy what I do every day. I make a consciencious effort to reinforce the students when they are engaged and interacting.
Set goals and expectations in the beginning! Talk with the student, listen to what the student has to say and try to relate to them.
Relating to the students and staying animated.
Find out what they are interested in and bring in info about that area and incorporate it into class discussion. In the field that I teach (massage) it's so wonderful to see so many students have Aha moments in class when we discuss topics that have great meaning to them. In addition, I always do a 2 point bonus question that asks a questions about how they have grown as students. Example "how have your views of massage therapy changed since the beginning of class?" This give me great info on what is inspiring them along the way so I can keep adding great stuff to keep that flame going.
Hi Dennis,
Right you are and we need to always keep this in mind as we work with students. We are the link that keeps them engaged in learning and enrolled in their program. We can't let them down.
Gary
A wonderful recent book on the success of Teach for America instructors has shown very strongly that an exceptional motivating instructor is the single most important determinant of student success. There is simple no more important element in student learning and success than the passion and effectiveness of the instructor.
By adding our own experiences and by asking them, showing interest in what they do, will certainly assist. constructive criticism and focusing on strength will certainly be the icing on the cake.
I find help my student make their goals seem real. Bridging the gap between a dream career and where they are right now. They are in school so they are on the right path, helping them see the step ahead that lead to their goals always motivates them to work hard in the present.
Hi Robert,
I always enjoyed having instructors that have the attitude that you do. They really motivated me to work hard so I could share in their excitement of the field when I was working in it. I count it a honor to teach students and impact lives.
Gary
