Hi Mark,
The approach you use appeals to me a lot. I lead outdoor adventures into wilderness areas in Wyoming where we focus on nature, personal growth and meeting of challenges. The participants are wonderful to work with as their world opens up in a way they never thought possible. I know you have had these same experiences in your work. Keep sharing the message as we see more and more people isolated themselves inside through technology we are reducing our human interaction. Nature helps to bring those contacts back into play.
Gary
Simply put, enthusiastic teacher = higher retention. If I'm tired or can't seem to muster the energy to be a bit of a showman for the students, it shows in their energy level and willingness to engage in the classroom.
I love to teach and I love the subject matter. I'm such a computer geek that at times my students will roll their eyes. However, the enjoyment I get out of 'playing' with computers and technology is infectuous and the students always come around. They still tease me a bit when I get too geeky, but that just adds a little spice to the class.
Hi Gary;
I have a true passion for the natural world, ecology and outdoor trekking. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to "teach" about what I am passionate about through a science course. Sometimes, I get really quirky discussing a particular animal species (using the 'scientific name' and telling about the meaning of the latin names I know), and I get odd looks. But, then after the quirkiness I step back to the big picture. I am enthusiastic about what I find fascinating in nature, and my students ultimately shift shagrin to savy. Nature is just packed with ethical examples for the human species to recognize and consider.
Mark
Instructor enthusiasm about learning and the opportunity to guide students in their learning journey trumps complete knowledge about their subject. What they lack in overall knowledge will be forgiven.
I firmly believe that enthusiasm is something that quickly passes from instructor to student. Like a nice friendly smile on one's face often brings a smile to another person as you pass in the street. In my mind, smiling is an important start in an enthusiastic approach to teaching the course. It is easy to be enthusiastic when you enjoy what you teach, but sometimes hard to show the enthusiasm to the students. A nice friendly face often helps.
If the instructor is truly enthusiastic about what she teaches, each student appears more attentive and not only is willing to learn but to learn the subject with a positive attitude and appear to actual enjoy the learning experience.
I remember as a student at Ohio State I took a "filler course" in geology. The instructor taught in a huge auditorium with over 200 students. He was so enthusiastic (and was a former janitor of the building he was now teaching in) that we all loved the oourse. I almost changed my major to geology. I want to impart that kind of enthusiam on to my students.
A student who enjoys the learning experience is one that is more likely to stay in the course that those who do not enjoy the learning experience. All because of a smiling and enthusiastic instructor.
While enthusiasm from the instructor may not always translate into student enthusiasm, it will, at the very least, capture the attention of all the students in the classroom.
I had an instructor in graduate school who was not interested in the material she was teaching; or maybe she was and was just a better researcher than teacher.
I give that story as an example. I honestly believe that not everyone can teach; their skills may lie elsewhere. As a professional it is important to continually assess whether or not teaching is one's passion.
That being said, teaching is my passion; and the field of psychology is one of the most fascinating to me. I love teaching my students about other cultural aspects of the field and incorporate cutting edge research into my classes. I am also genuine in my approach; if I am not, students will know.
Renee Bipes
Hi Kim,
Love your attitude. This is what makes teaching worthwhile when we get bogged down in grading and student problems. We are making a difference in their lives and helping to shape their future. This is a great opportunity few people get.
Gary
I don't know how instructors who lack enthusiasm survive in the career college environment. No doubt there are some who do survive, but certainly not a lot of them. To me, enthusiasm is as much a part of my job description as my actual teaching assignment.
I think it helps that I truly love my job. It is easy to be enthusiastic in my classes because I genuinely enjoy what I'm doing. It is more than just a job to me; it is being priviledged to help students achieve a dream. That's a wonderful line of work to be in.
With out a dought the instructor enthusiasm has alot to do with retention You dictate this in the class minute of every day
People generally like to be in an environment where people are happy and encouraged to be. Very few people want to stay or be involved in an area where there is a lot of negitivity and strife. If you can make the class fun it will go a long way toward not only retaining student, but also having them assimilate the information better, and having fun. The class times will go by faster and everyone will look forward to participating at a higher level.
Students and Intructors are a two way street. If students feel the instructor is passionate about the field that they are teaching, it motivates the students to come to class and do well because it gives them a sense of excitement.
Hi Ryan,
I think you can teach that way as well. Students can have fun in the class while learning specific content. If students are comfortable and settled into to a course they will be more engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Fun, if you reflect back on the teachers in your life you always remember 2 types of teachers, fun ones and ones that tried really hard to teach you. I think a teacher could do both, i like to encourage a fun atomspher in the class room and try my hardest to teach.
If an instructor is not excited about the material and course objectives, then they won't present the information in an engaging way. I've seen instructors treat student questions with eye rolling--like they're so tired of answering that question. Then why are they teaching?
If the instructor does not convey enthusiasm and show value in the learning, then the students will model that attitude. Instructors are in a position of authority and students often mimic their actions and attitudes, so we have a responsibility to be positive. And if you aren't, you need to change departments or stop teaching.
If an Instructor is not interested in the class, the class will be boring. I believe if the instructor is upbeat and likes what he or she is doing, the class will join in and be apart of the experince. They will be more relatable to the students, and the students will learn more about the subject. I believe the student will get be drawn to the enthusiasm of the instructor.
Put yourself in a Students shoes, how would you like to go to a motivational conference and listen to and watch a boring, monotone Powerpoint presentation, and you came to be enlightened and inspired.
We need to be confident and knowledgeable in what we are teaching and not be afraid to be spontaneous and think out of the box.
Hi Jennifer,
Enthusiasm, excitement and passion are hard to beat when it comes to teaching. When students observe these three they start to realize what great opportunities they have to achieve their career goals.
Gary
I will agree with the module, if an instructor is has no enthusiasm for the subject they are teaching, the class will see this and start getting upset and eventually they might drop the course, or worse yet they may quit school.
I recall my instructors when I was in college. Those who did not seem enthusiastic about the material left me with little interest in attending their class. I still attended because I was motivated to do well, but I cannot say I enjoyed those classes nor walked away with a desire to learn more about the topic. On the other hand, I can recall at least three instructors who presented the material with such enthusiasm that I was immediately excited about the course, and desired to learn everything I could during the semester.
It is critical that I apply this in my own classroom. Not only do I explain to the students that I am excited about the material, but I strive to ensure this comes through in my course materials. I love visuals and I incorporate fun animations that reinforce the written material. I seek out supplemental materials that relate to what we are discussing each week and share these additional resources. Students often comment about how lively the classroom is!
I am also able to interact in the student discussions, showing my desire to engage in dialogue with them about these topics. I often comment that I could discuss these topics for days, as they are concepts I am passionate about. I remind students that my door is always open to them even after the course ends. For example, if they want to come back and talk more about the topics or how this can lead into a career for them. When they see I am positive and upbeat about the value of the concepts in the workplace, it can spark them to want to learn, which directly impacts retention.
