I oftern refer to my college experiences to lead into asking if anyone in the class would like to share an experience with the class. This usually works well to let the students in on my background and also to give me some insight into the students background. Then I can use that information as a motivator for that student.
Telling our students about various jobs we have been on , seems to make their day , they always have a ton of questions about QC's or other people on the job and of course , How much money we made !
James,
I think helping students to see that their previous life experiences play an important part in their current educational efforts. Sometimes they think are starting with no experience when in fact they are college students with many experiences that will help them be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Nicole,
As you know students really like stories from the field. These stories help the students to make the connection between course content and the work world.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Judy,
This creates such a strong foundation for motivation when you have the emotional factor of animals and animal care introduced into the learning process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find motivating students can involve seeing that their past life experiences apply to what they are learning, and will help them learn further. I give exercises in which they reflect on their lives and experiences and relate them to class work.
I love to share my field experience stories with my classes as well. I feel that they can relate the topic at hand to something they may see out in the field, sometimes even having to deal with something that unexpectedly went wrong. They can use my experience and also imagine what it might be like on their externship. I also believe that by me telling stories, it intrigues them, makes them think, which in turn leads into a question they may not have even thought of asking in the first place.
They can show examples of how what they are learning directly effects the job they are training for. i use examples of field experiences often with both sucess and failure in different stories showing how to be safe and also the dangers envolved. an instructor can also show excitement in their fields and this motivates the student reinforcing thier mind set that they will enjoy the career path they have chosen.
Positive reinforcement is motivational.
When my students are having a hard time or a bad day, I like to pick them up with a little positive reinforcement at the end just to let them know that they are still doing a great job with everything.
I like to motivate my students by using real world experiences. I work in the medical field and at times, the job can be really exciting. I share these stories with my students to excite them about being in the field- something for them to look forward to.
Easy in the field of Veterinary Technology, usually all of our Students are driven to make a positive impact on animals. Most of what we teach can be based on what is best for the animal, thus easy to motivate the students why the need to learn the material.
Personal experiences, student experiences. How the class information transfers to the real work place.
Rosalyn,
So true and so important for both teaching and learning success.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sharing life experiences, empowerin students with prompt feedback, make the information being taught relevant
Marshall,
So do I. Sometimes the effort of getting to know such a student and trying to help him/her to see the value of the course you are teaching will move them forward on the success trail. I am always sad when it doesn't but I do take comfort in knowing that I as a professional educator have done all I can to help that student to be successful. It was their choice not to be, not my lack of engagement with them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Ronald,
I like the way you incorporate both the technical aspects of message therapy (knowledge of muscles) into career success (more than lotion spreaders). Becoming successful in the field is a multi-step process as you mention and the students need to see how each step moves them closer to the career goal they have set for themselves.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Shawna,
Students as you know like to hear stories about our experiences in the field. These stories help to establish the fact that we have earned our living in the field and that we know what we are talking about.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
This has got to be for me the toughest part in motivating a very small segment of my students. Its the student who is not engaged, has difficulty attending class and takes no responsibility in their obligations to themselves where their assignments or tests are concerned. I think a good statring place would be back at the beginning and getting to know the student as a person.
As a massage therapy instructor, one of my motivating techniques is the constant reminder that passing the course is only half the battle. The students also need to take a national board test to get their massage liscense so that they can work in the field. Another factor is that they need to learn the muscles so that they can help their clients. if they do not learn the muscles completely they are nothing more than lotion spreaders. They seem to understand the importance and they have a fun time learning. My life examples are brought up alot to explain the importance of learning massage for the clients quality of life.
By telling real world experiences of my own both good and bad, I am able to help students relate to the experience. Therefore encouraging students to learn from my triumphs and setbacks. Students can role play the scenario or imagine the circumstances I give them and answer questions as to appropriate manner to respond. And, I try to treat the correct answers with an excited "YES! Thats great!"
