If an instructor shows enthusiasm in the classroom it shows that they have a passion for what they do as well as a love for their profession. the student will pick up on that enthusiasm and want to be a part of a rewarding career.
Hi Sean,
Good point. We instructors need to bring our A game to the classroom each time we face students. If we are excited the students will appreciate the effort we have invested in preparing to share our knowledge with them.
Gary
Enthusiasm is contagious. Students and people can quickly discern when someone is "mailing it in". It shows that either the person doesn't believe in the material, or worse, just doesn't care. Why then should a student be interested in learning the material? It is not necessary to be as enthusiastic and entertaining as a person performing at the Oscars, however engendering a healthy respect for the importance and the "neatness factor" of the material will go a long way to get students also appreciating and at a minimum, respecting the information they are receiving, even if it is otherwise dry and boring.
I think that instructor enthusiasm has a major impact on student retention. Remember the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off? The instructor was monotone and uninteresting. Sometimes we are asked to teach subject matter that is boring. If an instructor can not find a way to sell this material in an interesting manner then they should not teach on this topic. The students are the ones who suffer. Students can easily see through you if you lack the knowledge or enthusiasm on a subject area.
Hi Tania,
This is such an important part of being an effective instructor. If we are excited and enthusiastic then it spreads to our students. We need to keep this in mind each time we approach the classroom.
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm plays an important role in influencing student retention. If an instructor is enthusiastic about their topic and enthusiastic on getting the student to understand and absorb the material the student is likely to stay focused rather than drift off. Enthusiasm also breeds a positive environment in which the student would feel welcome in and want to come to class.
Hi Lisa,
I really like hearing from instructors that love their field and are excited about teaching it to others. You are, I am sure an inspiration to your students because you are modeling what people in your profession can become.
Gary
This is extremely imporant because if students believe that the instructors care and are positive, they will 1) have a hard time leaving, and 2) want to stay so they do not let down their instructors
Enthusiasm breads enthusiasm. My students need to know, without a doubt, that I love my profession and I want to teach about it. They can feel and feed off my energy, especailly when school gets tough. It is a lot easier to get through something difficult if something worth while is at the end of it all. Who better than their instructor to show them the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This is not to say that I sugar coat the profession, I am realisitic about the hardships. But, even with the hardships, there is n othing else I would rather be doing.
If the students can relate to the enthusiasm and intrest the instructor displays, they are more apt to "buy in" so to speak with the materials being presented.
I like that 10 positives to reverse 1 negative comment- I will remember that one--it is good, really shows how much effort it takes to reverse 1 bad moment or comment. Thanks
Hi Heather,
Well said. This is so important for teaching success. If we don't sell it our students won't buy it and that means they probably will leave us. Plus, think it is great when we get a chance to teach others about our field and get paid for it besides.
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm has a HUGE impact on student retention. This is something that I can relate to on personal level. There was a class in graduate school that I just dreaded taking because I wasn't interested in the topic at all. When I got to class, the instructor was incredibly lively and exuded the love he had for this topic. Even though I never found the same love of the topic of the class, I found that I never dreaded going to class and really paid close attention. On the other hand, there was a class I was very excited to take, but the instructor was always letting us out of class early and talked about how tired she was. Her voice was very mono-tone and it was hard to pay attention. I found that when she didn't care to be there or talk about the topic, I didn't care either! The most important lesson that I learned from these instructors was that if I really want someone to hear what I am saying, I needed to sell it! Enthusiasm (or lack thereof) is contagious. If a student feels does not enjoy coming to class and they aren’t getting anything from it, they will likely not stay in the class.
an instructor have to be a performer,entrtainer and a transmiter of knowledge.
If enthusiastic the students will respond positivly,otherwise they will be bored and leave hih to carry on the sherade alone.
Hi Willis,
I can't imagine it either because after all these years teaching about my field is still a thrill. I get to share with others and get paid to do it, how great is that?
Gary
It is human nature to get a "read" on people around you. Attitudes are contageous. If a student detects that the instructor doesn't feel that the material is relevant or important than he/she will reflect that in their work. A bad attitude facilitates other bad attitudes.
I once heard that one negative person can bring down a whole group but it takes ten positive people to reverse it.It is important to be enthusiastic about what you are teaching and if that passion no longer exists than it is time to find something else to do.
If the students like you, they're sold!
It is difficult to imagine enthusiastic teachers
who do not have an abiding fascination with their subjects, who do not love being among their students or who do not gain fulfillment from nourishing the lives of others.
Stephanie, I agree that instructor enthusiasm has a large impact on student retention. The students tend to get more involved and feed off of the positive energy. Bringing in speakers from the outside or taking field trips to businesses will help to create a more effective learning environment.
If your students can see that you are passionate and excited about what you teach, it becomes infectious. They start to feel the same energy you portray. Them knowing that you care about what you do can help they become more interested in what it is they are learning.
