Because enthusiasm is contagious. If the student perceives that the instructor is not just doing his job but enjoying and cares for the student learning they are going respond in the same manner.
If an instructor demonstrates enthusiasm, and passion in the delivery of the information it is more likely students will be equally enthused to retain that information.
Hi Kore,
Right you are. If you aren't excited it is for sure the students won't be. Being excited and enthusiastic about the content and sharing it you are showing that you are a professional that wants to help prepare others to enjoy working in the field as well. This is important for students to know.
Gary
If it shows that the instructor loves teaching and the material, then the student's tend to be more relaxed and more willing to participate in class. I teach Math and have had students who don't like Math tell me that because it shows that I love what I am doing and teaching that it makes the course more enjoyable and that they have changed their opinion of Math.
An enthusiastic instructor reflects on to the students. If the students are enthusiastic about the program that they are enrolled in, there will be a higher chance for retention.
Hi Dolores,
I like to be around people who are enthusiastic because their enthusiasm rubs off on me. This is what we need to always remember when we are teaching. This is why your point is such a good one because you mention the need to be enthusiastic in aspects of your professional conduct both within and outside of the classroom. Key point because the students are observing you at all time in the school setting.
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm both for the subject being taught and for the entire learning environment models for the students the importance and and value of learning. The enthusiasm the instructor shows in the classroom will flow to better communication outside the classroom. A teacher who is enthusiastic and involved in the classroom will invite students to greet the instructor outside of the classroom. Students will feel more willing to ask questions and just spend a moment talking in the library or hallway or cafeteria. This ability to connect to the instructor on a daily basis will go a long way in retaining the students.
Dolores Kiesler
Hi Martha,
I love having teachers like your sister. These types of educators can make any topic interesting and engaging. We all need to strive to develop this ability and expertise.
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm influences student retention by showing students the "fun" side of their field of study. I teach Accounting and students find that it is a difficult field as they normally are compared to "bean counters". I show enthusiasm for those interested in the field and those that may have to taken an Accounting class as part of their degree of study. Showing my enthusiasm through the use of guest speakers, field examples, and through my career experience makes students want to come to class to see what they might learn next!
Kim H.
Instructor enthusiasm is one of the factors that drives their coming to class. Many have felt that delving into the huge polical issues is the way to do that, but we do it with a deep interest in the topic itself. My sister teaches science and can make one feel that they were "right there" when the discovery was made.
Martha Moore
Hi Mark,
I think it all depends on how you use your enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for your field and for your students success will go a long way in keeping students in school because they know you care about them and their futures. You are right when you talk about not have objectives to what you are doing. You have to or you are wasting the time of your students.
Gary
I don't think it can. Enthusiasm coupled with purpose can influence student retention.
You can be as excited as you want as an instructor if it has no objective behind it...it just won't retain students.
Part of an instructor's responsibility is to generate a postive learning envirnonment. This includes making students feel welcome and generating enthusiasm for the course and curriculum. An enthusiastic instructor generates a feeling of confidence, knowledge, and excitement about the importance of the subject matter.
Enthusiasm is contagious! Often students have preconceived ideas about a course based on prior experiences and having an instructor who is excited and "into" the subject just may change that. Just loving what you do comes through loud and clear to the students and it may arouse their curiosity as well.
I think an instructor's enthusiasm is key to keeping the students interested and excited for class.
From my own college experiences I was always early to the lectures of professors who were enthusiastic about the subject matter and who could make it relevant to me. These were also the professors who took the time to get to know me and were always prepared. I keep this in mind every time I step through the door to my classroom.
There is no question that the atitude of the instructor will be reflected in the classroom. If you come to class with a postive outlook your students can sense it and will respond. Of course the reverse is also true. I remind myself of this before the start of every class. I know it makes a difference becaues there have been times I was not enthusiastic and after a poor class I realized why.
Our enthusiasm and energy sets the tone for the class, giving students one more reason to be interested in continuing the course. It also presents the subject matter in an exciting fashion to the students, which facilitates retention of the material.
Hi Tracy,
I think I had those same two instructors. I am sure many of us could claim the same experiences. Thank you for sharing them with us. These examples let you know where you want to go as an instructor. Keep it a live and keep them engaged and teaching gets a whole lot easier as a result.
Gary
I think that instructor enthusiasm is one of the most important influences on student retention. I can clearly recall the difference in, for example, my history professors when I was an undergrad. One professor simply recited a "canned" speech at the front of the class. Clearly, this was a topic that he had taught countless times and it seemed to have finally bored even him. He would pace from one side of the room to the other, delivering his lectures in a dreadful monotone. It got to the point where I'd stop listening to the content, and instead found myself focusing on his brown shoes, which made a creaking noise with every step. Conversely, I had another professor who was so enthused about history that going to his classes was like going to see a one-man play twice a week. He would walk about the room, speak directly to various students, hit passionately on points of importance, and stop on occasion to scrawl key terms on the blackboard. This was the first professor I had who implored us to put down our pens and just... listen.
I stayed in both classes, and got decent grades in both as well. However, I did not internalize any of the material from the "boring" instructor and had to prepare for the class based solely on my independent study. The material from the other class, however, seemed to just flow from my pen during the essays and exams. I may have been physically present in both classes, but I certainly dropped one - mentally at least!
Thanks for the pep talk; it gets me fired up!!!
