Motivating Students Who Would Rather Not Take Your Course!
You've just got to love "Required Courses"! Those courses that are mandated by various accrediting bodies - the classes where students become glassy-eyed five minutes into the lecture. I find teaching these classes to be challenges and know that I have succeeded when students will change their schedules just to sit in my classes. It becomes a win-win situation for both of us - both fulfuilling as an instructor and motivating for the students.
Donald,
Good strategy to bring value to your content. Algebra is a challenge for many learners as you well know and to teach it online raises the stakes even more in terms of being able to provide learning leadership and instruction. I commend you for your effort and how you work in the examples that reinforce the value of algebra to students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach Algebra, a required Gen Ed course. I teach online, so I don't see their glassy eyed stares, but I know they are like that many times.
Melding in examples of how to apply Algebra concepts to their field of choice, usually works for most. They like to have Aha! moments when they finally see how something works, and lo and behold, that software they use to design games or build websites DOES use Algebra concepts!
Sharon,
Since I teach two such courses I can relate to your comments. I enjoy teaching these courses because they present the challenge you mention of getting them engaged and valuing the content I am offering. When I have them won over I feel great about having reached the students and made learning the content a part of their education.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
