Showing the success of past student and the results of hard work.
After 20 plus years of teaching I have found what and how people learn is beyond guarantee or total prediction. I have read books that make suggestions of effective strategies and guidelines to use with adult learners, however they don’t always work. The suggestions usually include:
• put materials into “bite-size chunks†which people are able to understand.
• use the whole-part-whole concept, showing the overall picture followed by the details and then a refresher with the overall picture.
• make the material relevant, as close to the actual requirements of that person’s job.
• explain why certain assignments are made and their relevance to the overall course or training sessions.
• provide plenty of documentation for the learner, usually in the form of hands-on experience and paper documentation.
• let the students work in groups, since they would rather ask other students for assistance rather than ask the course instructor.
• add a little “spice to their life†by giving them some degree of options and flexibility in their assignments.
• create a climate of “exploration†rather than one of “prove it.â€
• keep the course requirements in perspective to the amount of time for the course (credit hours, for example).
However, I have found that you must be flexible and willing to adapt to the needs of each adult learner and focus on individual. First, there are the really smart kids who quickly learn new concepts, vocabulary, and material. They are typically the most easily distracted students, since they are the ones who are bored most often. If these students are not learning some interesting, then they hardly have any motivation to pay attention in class and tend to distract other students. These students are the least likely to study a lot, since they think they already fully understand the material.
Second, there are the good students who have good memory. Repetition or re-reviewing course material over and over again is a good way to get these students bored too. For instance, they don’t need to be reminded who Paul Revere was each and every year. These students are also less likely to study, since they lazily rely on their better memories. However, they are more likely to pay attention in class, since they typically prefer passive learning than having to read a textbook or spend extra time studying. Therefore, they disrupt the class less often.
Third, there are the good students who are hard workers. They understand everything the teacher teaches, yet they are noticeably slower to grasp new concepts. They write copious notes in each class and spend a huge amount of time studying and re-reading textbooks over and over again, since their memories are not as good as the first two types of students. Oddly, they are also the first ones to forget what they just learned.
Stacey,
You made me smile when I read your comments. I think for the most part that students think that their instructors have never had any life or experience prior to them coming into the classroom. When they hear about the experiences that their instructors have had they can't believe it. So go ahead and share your stories with them as you reinforce the fact that you are qualified to be teaching the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Sharing our own personal experiences with the students, showing them everybody makes mistakes, but we need to learn from them and do better next time.
I use my experience, and my students are amazed by what I have done, and are self motivated by the experiences I have had.
Megan,
Good strategy to use in getting students involved in giving feedback. Through this feedback you can get a very clear picture of how effective your instruction is.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Anthony,
I use guest speakers as well because they really help students to see the relevancy of what is being taught. Speakers reinforce what we are saying and teaching and greatly increase the motivation level of students. Thanks for sharing this important learning tool with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Offering your expertise in the career field will encourage the student to stay focus and that their choice to come to a career college will pay off.
Career colleges can motivated student by having instructors with real life experience and share those experiences with enthusiasm.
I also agree that giving experience as well as being enthusiastic about the subject matter motivates students. I have found from student feedback that they enjoy classes where the instructor can give life experience and expertise concerning the subject as opposed to sitting through a lecture or powerpoint.
As stated in the module, there are four cornerstones in the instruction process that can be used to motivate/inspire students. These are expertise, empathy, enthusiasm, and clarity. Showing your expertise, is not only knowing the information but also having the humility to admit that you don't know the answer, but you would be willing to find it. An example of empathy is understanding when someone can't get an assignment done on time, and working with that individual to come up with a solution to the problem. Being enthusiastic is having exitment about your students, the quality of work they are doing, and the content you're teaching. Always try to be enthusiastic! Clarity is making sure that the information you're relaying to your class is clear and understandable. A good technique for checking clarity is to ask students questions about the content you just gave them, and have them jot down their answers on a 3x5 notecard. They could also discuss their answers in small groups and then report back to the class.
The biggest motivation is for the students to keep the reason/s that they came to school always in their mind. The start of a class I will have students write down why they are in school. I keep these, and when a student starts to lose their motivation, I will pull them aside and show they what they wrote on the first day of class. Most times, this gets them back in the game and back on track.
Stay on top of the subject you are teaching,and stay current with the news or any new technique that may have advanced, and bring the knowledge and engery to the class room.
Stay on top of the subject you are teaching,and stay current with the news or any new technique that may have advanced, and bring the knowledge and engery to the class room.
The first day of class my students list their personal goals for the class. Midway during the class I have them look at the goals as a reminder, and to make any adjustments. At the end of the course they are to compare and reflect. They are to measure their progress, and how that plan to build from that point. This must be in a written format, so they are thinking and internalizing. It is almost a promise note to themselves they know they must face.
My favorites are bringing in outside professionals. In the music industry it is a great to hear from people other than the instructor who are out there doing it. Students will often know the names of artists the pros have worked with, and this will be very motivating to speak with them personally and get a chance to ask questions. It also helps show the reality behind the dream, and show that great things can happen.
Tom,
All of these methods help to drive home to the students the fact they are gaining skills and knowledge that will help them achieve their career goals. They need to be reminded of this ever so often when they get worn down and discouraged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The best motivation technique for career college students is showing what they will learn will be applied within the industry. Some examples include guest speakers, articles and practical application of the subject matter.
You can use life experience,demonstrations,movies,presentation and let each student share what motivate them and take notes.
This shows students that real life experiences can motivate them to experience their ability to apply what they have learned in their career field.
