Hi Cliff,
What a great story of the impact an instructor can have on the life of a student. You helped him to turn his attitude around as well as build his confidence. This is going to really help him when he is out in the work world. Thanks for sharing it.
Gary
Talk to individual students and tell them specifically how they are improving. They need to know that their instructor notices the effort and progress they have made. Praise their successes and push them to get better. I recently had a student who started the quarter saying things like "I have a problem." or, "the problem I have with that, is..." He viewed every challenging concept or assignment as a "problem." By making an extra effort to motivate and encourage him, I helped him to see that these "problems" were opportunities to learn. As the quarter progressed, he stopped using the word "problem." He started using the word "question" instead. His attitude had become proactive because he had a new-found confidence in his ability to learn.
There are many ways to motivate including: showing enthusiasm for the material, showing how it relates to the student's professional life, providing supportive feedback, making the learning experience enjoyable, supporting student involvement in in-class activities.
Everyone has the desire to succeed. I use my real work experiences to bring the point home. Good & Bad. I also show them pictures of my accomplishments, Showpieces etc. By displaying what I achieved, I show them that they to can achieve the skill with perseverance, sacrifice hard work & practice.
Hi Teresa,
Way to go. Your attitude sets the tone for the class and by being upbeat and positive you are reducing the distractions that students can use to take them away from the learning process.
Gary
Hi Teresa,
Good way to bring balance to the instructional setting. This way you will touch on all of the learning preferences of the students sometime during the instructional process.
Gary
To be a great instructor I am always being positive and I utilize my experience as well as ask questions to my students and let them use their experiences as well. I always make sure that when I am in the classroom that I am upbeat and try to be excited about wheat I am talking about even if it is not my favorite topic.
You can be a motivating instructor by talking about past experiences and how the field they chose can be very rewarding
You can be motivating by using powerpoint, using life experiences, being upbeat and excited about what you are teaching and letting your students know that you are happy to be there. Answer the questions to the best of your ability and if I don't know the answer I will tell my students that I do not know but I will find out and have an answer for them within 24 hours.
Give them the impression that you're willing to "go to bat" for them; in small ways and in large. You can't always get them the job, but you can take time out to practice interviewing with them.
Hi David,
Right on all counts. This sets the tone for a really positive class and helps to get the students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
By demonstrating my passion and enthusiasm for the field, and sharing how the concepts taught have helped my in real life. These concepts will also help the students, so by showing the relevance they should be motivated by a purpose. Also, energy is contagious. If I clearly demonstrate my motivation, the students will tend to feel it as well.
Have a smile on all the time. Greet your students with excitement for the start of the days class. Talk about and show that you are interested in the work you are going to cover. Relate it to a personal experience if possible.
Keep your student interested and energized about the topics you teach. If you keep it interesting they will have a better learing experience.
Hi Preston,
Good way to approach the classroom. This method should keep the students engaged and ready to learn while enjoying the time spent in class.
Gary
I refer to this as edu-tainer (education entertainer). You have to be fun, discuss things that are relevant, and be passionate about what you are teaching.
Hi Andrea,
You make a number of very good points but your last one really helps to set the tone for your teaching. Being happy in life does make a difference in your relationships with students and how you approach the classroom. Keep your great attitude and enjoy your students each day.
Gary
Explain the applications of the concepts in daily life. Ask them to share their personal experiences. Encourage them to come up with innovative ideas. Share success stories of inventions relevant to the field.
I can be a motivating instructor by showing excitment for the course material and field. Students need to know how what they are learning in class ties into their career goals. Providing them examples of how course material is applied in the "real world" is a great way to motivate. Also, stepping outside the lecutre box and using other media's to present the material and concepts keeps students interested which in turn can increase motivation.
First of all begin each class (day) with a positive greeting for each student (if possible) or to the entire group if a large class. If time allows and the Instructor is prepared for class then this is a good time for individual chat times with students that arrive early. They can also be involved in the classroom set up, which I have found most enjoy. Always keeping the conversation upbeat and professional will help to keep the classroom mood the same. Even on difficult days...speaking to the students with respect and patience will always help them see the benifit of a positive attitude. This is just a short list of the many things that an Instructor can bring to the classroom...also..being happy in life always helps!
