Well, I teach nursing. I love nursing and find it is exciting to pass my experiences on to new students. I want them to love the profession as much as myself. This helps to develope respect.
I have found if I am not excited about a topic my students have little or no desire to do the homework or learn the subject. I noticed in some of the first classes that I taught that when I did not show excitement about a subject my students did not do as well on the task if they completed it at all. I have learned to put more effort on those areas that I am not excited about so that they will be more apt to learn and gain some knowledge from.
I know when I was a student as long as the instructor was excited about the subject it kepted my attention
I believe that instructor enthusiasm has a lot to do with student retention. For one, if the instructor is not interested in his/her job, then the students will pick up on that. Where as if the instructor is up-beat and interested in the topic she is giving instruction on, then the students will pick up on that as well. Enthusiasm can be contiguous.
Hi Patina,
Good strategies. Also, these different information sources and media presentations help to capture and hold the attention of the students. This is essential as you know if we are going to keep them engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary,
I tend to build in youtube videos, articles and current events that I use to engage students during discussions. I found that students are more willing to participate when I incorporate content external of the textbook. Because adult learners are often juggling many priorities, they look to us to help engage them.
Patina
If instructors are not enthusiastic about the subjects they teach, the students won't be either. The instructor sets the tone for the class and it's important not only to show enthusiasm, but relevance for the subject matter. From my personal experience, when students can immediately apply what they learn, there is a heightened interest in the class.
Instructor enthusiasm conveys the idea of value to the subject material, encouraging the student to share in that value by continuing with the course. Instructor enthusiasm also inspires confidence in the instructor's leadership and direction.
The more enthusiasm an instructor shows for their material, and reflects that towards his/her students, the more those students come to value and respect that instructor. Even if you, as an instructor, are not totally familliar/comfortable with the material being covered, your enthusiasm for teaching and learning at the same time as your students, will show you are human. Just as your students.
I have found that if you are excited about what you are teaching and it shows, students are more likely to validate what you are presenting and be more engaged.
It would show in both direction if we give they give if we dont they dont.
If an instructor is not enthusiastic about the lesson(s), there is little chance the students can be. In this case, false motivation, and a degree of acting is encouraged. The most appropriate approach, however, is to find ideas or elements of the lessons that appeal to the instructor, and use them to rally around.
It quickly becomes obvious if the instructor or any leader loses motivation to continue with the class. If there isnt any enthusiasm then the students become apathetic and lethargic. As instructors we need to keep that enthusiasm level up and work to keep the students engaged.
Hi Eric,
Love your passion about science. You need to come out to my ranch and see some of my birds of prey. I have a number of redtail hawks and three great horned owls that talk to me each night. I have a creek that runs through the ranch and these birds live along the creek where game is plentiful. Sorry, kinda got off track there because I do enjoy science a lot myself, even though it isn't my field.
Keep being a "science geek" and enjoy winning your students over to a dedicated instructor that cares about his field. I wish you much success.
Gary
I've found that sharing my passion for nature, especially birds of prey, and relating it to the subject matter (Biology) frequently motivates students to make similar connections based on their own experiences. Through this, I've often been able to draw out the less interactive students by showing not only that I'm not embarrassed by being a "science geek" but that there actually ARE real world applications to the course material.
Hi Bruce,
What a great title to have. I am sure your students get ramped up as a result of your energy and excitement. When they are this way teaching becomes a whole lot easier since the students are ready to learn what is going to be covered that day.
Gary
They call me Mr Energy. I exude enthusiasm for hospitality management. This reinenforces the students decision to pursue a culinary career. I start with greeting each student and light conversation about current industry events and school happenings. This engages the student to see themselves in the industry soon.
I think it is huge. How we approach the class and the students can completely mean the difference between student success and failure. I love what I do and i flat out tell the students that the honest truth is that there is nowhere else I would rather be in this industry than right here with them. If I am passionate about my class then they can easily tell and hopefully that will rub off on them. A bit of enthusiasm, a dash of knowledge and a drop of personality all create a good recipe for success in the classroom.
I think that this has a huge impact on the students. They immediately can sense the relationship between the instructor and the material. I find that the more enthusiasm I have toward the subject or current class period, that the students will react similarly. Just as negative feelings spread like wildfire, positive feelings can also have trending effects.
