Know your material you are teaching. If you know your material you are more likely to be excited about it yourself which your students will pick up on. Also, constant encouragement is needed. Adult learning can be very difficult for some and they need the extra encouragment. Tell them when they do good and help them when they mess up. This will motivate them to continue.
I like to share my clinical experiences with the student and to let them know I am here for them to achieved their goals.
I give an outline and expectations at the beginnig of the class and I will help them achieve success through lecturing and tutoring if needed. Also, I give personal experiences to try to keep the motivated and excited about the career decision
There are many ways in which I can be a motivating factor for my students. One way in which I do this in my classroom is to be excited about the material that we are learning. When the students see my passion for the field of study, it promotes that feeling into them. They begin to develop their own sense of worth and desire to learn.
I create specific objectives that students can meet and set benchmarks for them to accomplish them by. I inject humor when the opportunity permits and introduce real world experiences that relate to the subject matter.
I can be a motivating instructor by building rapport with my students, being an example of a professional, show excitement about the field, and show dedication to education.
Crystal,
You have a built in connection to your students since you attended the college. I like the way you build on this and get them looking at where they want to go from the beginning of the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
During my lecture, I encourage students to actively ask questions. I give examples of the topic I am covering, and ask them to share their experience with the subject matter. many students began to participate by sharing issues, problems, and experiences related to their children. This motivates the students to participate in class.
being excited about the material you are teaching
I offer support to my students. I never humiliate my students thus keeping the environment a safe place for learning and not judging. I let my students know that my goal for them is to succeed and that is why I am here. I encourage them to keep going even when they may feel like it.
I have noticed that I can motivate my students by bringing real-life on-the-job-experiences to the classroom. They love to see the relevance to their learning and what they will get to do out in the field. Receiving praise when they do a task, especially the harder ones or ones they have never doen before, is a big thing in my classroom. I have a particular class that gets a kick out of receiving stickers for As on their papers. They collect the stickers and show them off to their family and compare stickers and get so excited about getting them. I find that the little things can really motivate them.
Once the student has a clear understanding of the commitment that they have made, you can motivate them through personal success and how that success may relate to the students desires.
Like you my classes are all computer related, so I definitely understand the challenge in the motivational strategies. I try to work with each student individually to get to know them and encourage them in their development. When we encounter problems I work with them to come up with a solution rather than just give them the solution to the problem. this is usually more fulfilling for them and it helps them to retain that knowledge so that if they ever encounter that problem again they will have the solution.
I try to give a very short history of myself as a student. Since I attended the same college I instruct at it helps to motivate the students (if she can do it, so can I). I have each student write down at least three barriers and how they can overcome them.
I try to bring my experiences in to class and try to relate them to what the students are preparing for. I know each student has a different life goal. I try to relate my experience in showing them whats out there and what they are learning in setting the foundation for what they will grow on.
I come to class excited about what we are learning. I say "we" because I believe in lifelong learning, and I believe every class is an opportunity for me to learn as an instructor just as much as it is an opportunity for my students to learn about the subject. I am very honest about this attitude, and my students appreciate it!
By giving the students positive feedback, always giving positive encouraging words, show willings to always be there for the student and willing to work with them through difficult times.
One way I find students become motivate is by telling them stories of my experience working in the field. They like to know that after they get through their schooling it will all be worth it and that's what will drive them.
By remaining positive, and always researching for new updated material and new information about our program, to give to the students and share with them.
Attitude is very important and is infectious. Also finding a common ground with your students can be a good tool to motivate students. Bringing in outside material that students are interested in and making it apply to the classroom is also a great strategy.
