As an Instructor or Teacher I try to connect with each student asking how their day is going and if they are having troubles in class as well as out of class because some need more information on how to conduct theirselves in the outside world as well asd around others. By getting involved as a instructor you can motivate them on the right path and help them to know what to expect and look for when they get out.
Some ways that I can be a motivating instructor are:
Be ready and excited for class
Set goals
Be open minded and willing to listen your students
I try and motivate from the moment my students step foot in the door by simply greeting them with a "Good Morning John, how are you today"? I feel by giving that energetic hello seems to help and perhaps even get them out of the sluggish feeling they may have been in upon entering the classroom.
I can be a motivating instructor by modeling a passion for the material, an understanding of how the course applies to real life and empathy and appreciation for each student's path.
Truly believe and know the topic that you are telling to others. Be enthusiastic about your studies and knowledge. Others can pick up on this and want to join in.
Amer,
Good points about the needed balance in supporting and praising students. They need to receive both types of feedback so they can grow as a result of learning how to avoid the mistakes they have made in the future while knowing they are doing a good job as a result of receiving praise from their instructor.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think motivation involves praising and constructive criticism. In any type of feedback an instructor must not only state the errors or the mistakes, but rather point out the value in the information presented by the student. To simply point out the errors will mostly have a discouraging effect and that of course depends on the tone of language used by the instructor.
I welcome the class every day they enter the room. I recognize each student by name and thank them profusely for attending today. I give a simple 100 for a class that has everyone present. The grade is not weighted very highly, but does look good on their grade report which they see online. I often wrap a lecture with relevant work related uses for the concepts under discussion for the class being taught. And yet, due to long hours, and late night class, one or two start to doze off. I know staying awake is hard in this case, yet I tap on the desk to ask the student to 'hang in there', we're almost done. Knowing that the class may be soon over, motivates the student to pay attention a little longer.
One of the best ways I have found to motivate my students is to provide a "value added" learning opportunity to the lesson. If the information is obtained quickly I will add additional relevance to how it will be used in particular instances in career situations. Or give examples of where it will lead you to a higher level.
Mark,
Students really like to hear about your career experiences. You are bringing to them stories and problems that you have worked through and this makes the content you are sharing with them that much more valuable.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find motivating individual students is a very personal task. In order to truly motivate them, there must be a personal connection that allows you to recognize the students personal needs and also allows the student to develop a sense of trust toward the instructor.
I try to really use my trade time in the field as an exsample of the opportunities that are available and by demonstrating through lab work how what they are leaning is relative to their career chose.
Michelle,
Passion for one's field is always a good sell. We need to bring it each time we teach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel that letting them know that you have alot of energy and thinking positive about the area of career that you are teaching. I feel this will show some excitement and lead them the same way about what they are learning.
I try to keep them focused on their goal of completeing the program. They are aware they can come to me with any type of problem they may be having. I try to teach my classes so they are having some fun and want to return to class. All these things keep them motivated.
we have to be always ready to help student, and let them know that we can be available
I personally like to motivate my students thhrough my work ethics and personal attention that I give so that they may be succesful
Linda,
Keep up the good work you are doing. I can tell you have passion for both your subject matter as well as your students' success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
David,
Good points and your last sentence says it all for instructors. Without patience teaching becomes a lot harder.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If you are not a role model for your career field and excited about it, you should NOT be an Instructor. If one is ho hum so will they be and that has a negative impact on learning. We are here to enable them to become active participants in our chosen career field and WHATEVER tool(s) (i.e. all the ones in this class) should be employed. I take pride in being a Mentor and Motivator for my students and utilize almost all of the suggested techniques.
