Melissa,
I agree. The teacher sets the organizational culture. Enthusiasm promotes enthusiasm. I find that if they are engaged it is more meaningful.
Cathy
Hi Melissa,
This is what good teaching is all about--showing enthusiasm for the career area. As you say if we instructors aren't excited about what we are teaching how can we expect our students to be excited. We have to maintain a high level of enthusiasm throughout each course we teach.
Gary
I think instructor enthusiasm has alot to do with student retention. If I was a student that had a professor that didn't care about teaching why or how would I really want to learn from that. I couldn't - I would feel that if the professor doesn't find this important for what I am going to do with my life why would I for one need to take this certain class and two why would I want to try in this class. However, if the instructor was enthusiastic and showed how the class pretained to what I was going to use it for it would totally change my attitude towards what I was learning.
Hi Arlene,
I love your approach to math. They don't have to love the subject but they do have to be successful in it if they are going on to the next phase of their college careers. By showing them how they can conquer rather than being conquered is an teaching strategy that they can use the rest of their lives.
Gary
The student needs to know that the instructor is interested in the topic even if the they are not. I teach math and tell the students that I am the only one who has to love the subject. The goal for everyone else is that math does not conquer them. It brings a laugh and we get busy.
I believe if we show excitement about a topic, it tends to be contagious. I show the students how the material relates to the work environment. I give it meaning. I make sure I get excited about the little things. I thank the students often. I discuss business topics that I know will spark feelings in them. My students know I care about them and am enthusiastic about the learning environment. Often, they can’t wait to see what outrageous thing I will say next. I also make a point to learn about their outside interests and ask them questions about them. It helps retention if they know the teacher cares and is enthusiastic about what they are learning.
any student will be able to pick up on how much you like the subject you are teaching. if you dont love what you do how can we expect a student to want to learn. when you love it so will they.
An instructor's enthusiasm plays a large role in student retention. Instructor's who come to class disinterested and show a lack of enthusiasm will reflect upon the students and they will be disengaged in the class. Students might find themselves not showing up for class as well.
An instructor should come to class motivated, energized, and ready to engage the class in the material.
Students know immediately if you are interested in the topic to which you have been assigned. Of course, if a student does not have enthusiasm for the subject, it matters little how much you love your classroom subject. however, there is little possibility that students will engage in the subject and find it interesting if you as the instructor does not find it interesting either.
I totally agree with this comment. Excitement is contagious! Usually there is at least one very difficult chapter in all subject matter. I always try to soften the information with a little prefun. I will introduce a game by picking a subject matter of what they have already learned in the previous chapters. If the difficult chapter is #1 then i allow them to speak on their previous related subject. The students pick a numbered paper out of a tin that gives them a title. They speak for one minute stating everything they know on that subject. It is a fun way to reinforce what they have already learned. Then we are off to the more difficult subject matter for that day.
Very simply, I must be enthusiastic about my subject to generate interest in it. If I am not enthusiastic about my subject, my students will not see the value in it and will become bored and apathetic as I appear to be to them.
Hi Brandon,
I know your students see your enthusiasm about your field and teaching. This in turn excites them. Many instructor miss this critical part of teaching and can't figure why the students don't respond. An instructor that is not excited about the field equals a class not excited about the field.
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm is so important. I teach a class where the subject matter is not always that exciting. I do my very best to make it fun and keep things interesting. I want my students to know I love what I do and I love what I teach. I think that this type of attitude helps put the students in a better mood and keeps them coming back each week.
An instructors enthusiasm is directly related to the attitude, enviroment and flow of the class. As a new instuctor, I have found it fairly easy for me to keep my students positive attitude for the duration of the quarter and I believe a lot of it is due to the strong enthusiam I have for the course and content I teach. I do have a passion for the knowledge and understanding of our industry and I believe the students see that and it rubs off on them.
I completely agree that it is okay to have some fun in the classroom. I always act like kind of a silly dork, and you know what? My students like that and it helps them loosen up and feel comfortable getting "dorky" excited about the subject matter, too!
Instructors don't always know the answers to every question, and we don't always have to be the stone cold academics that graced the halls many years ago in these institutions. We are human, and students appreciate that quite a bit!
One way of showing enthusism as an instructor is to tell real stories that relate to the subject. Students take a great interest in learning about events or incidents actually experienced by the instructor. However, the stories can come from other sources as well. If the story fits well with the subject matter, and if told in an entertaining manner, students will see the reality of the subject and get a glimpse of the business world they are about to enter.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for the kind words. I always like to hear from instructors that are excited about their field, enjoy teaching and have a great time with their students. That is as good as it gets.
Gary
I really enjoyed this educational section. It was a comfirmation for me. As a new instructor to this institution, I wasn't sure my teaching style would be appropriate. I love the subject matter I teach, I am very enthusiastic about it. I like to go on field trips and bring in quest speakers. I like to do game show formats and I try to always start class with a funny, related story. Thanks
Instructor enthusiasm is vital in the classroom. If your students do not see that you are excited about teaching the material, chances are that they will not be excited about learning it. I have taught "boring" subjects before, but I have done my very best to incorporate even the littlest activities to break up the material. Students really do appreciate gestures like this. I know that I did as a student!
Hi Bernie,
Great point. If the instructor isn't excited about the content the students are not going to be either. We need to be focused on sharing the information we have about the field in such a way as to make it interesting each time we step into the classroom.
Gary
