Hi Olivia,
Good point about the use of personal stories. There needs to be a balance in terms of how these stories are integrated into the instructional delivery.
Gary
I totally agree. One thing we have found is that instructors need to be careful in sharing their own personal stories with students on a consistent basis. All too often in student evaluations I have had students advise me that they do not want their instructor's personal stories all the time.
Good morning.
We have found that instructor enthusiasm is particularly important in Gen Ed classes - as students may see them as not needed and indeed, not wanted.
Just like the cheerleading squad is responsible for motivating the crowds, the teacher is responsible for motivating her students. Many of my students are so afraid of failing, they forget why they are in school. It's my job to encourage them on a daily basis and to acknowledge their individual accomplishments. Just like it takes a lot of practice--wins & losses--to win a championship, it takes a lot of practice--successes & failures--to be a success.
Hi Antoinette,
I agree that enthusiasm is critical for subject delivery. You are teaching a subject that is essential for career success since it is an academic basic. Keep up your efforts because your impact on the students future is big.
Gary
I think that the instructor's enthusiasm is very important in retaining students in the course. Often times, when the instructor is knowledgeable and excited about teaching the course material, it tends to rub off on the students in the course. In my courses, I display the love that I have for math by smiling when I teach the subject. It shows students that you have a genuine interest in the course and they should also. When a student finds that an instructor hates the course that they are teaching, students tend to drop out because they don't feel like the instructor won't help them if they have questions.
instructor enthusiasm is infectious. The way the instructor approches the class with excitment and knowledge and makes learning fun makes a class injoyable not only for the instructor but the students as well.
Hi Skip,
What are some ways you go about getting students to feel comfortable and accepted into the class setting?
Gary
Instructor enthusiasm is very important to keeping the student retention because if the instructor of the class isn't excited about what they are teaching why should the student care or be excited about the class. The instructor has to not only get the students attention but the instructor has to keep the attention of the student and show examples of why this class is so important to take and how great it will be to learn about this course for the future of the the students carrer. The instructor has to be real with the students also when he is teaching his class. If the instructor doesn't like what he is teaching or feels in anyway that what he is saying is not true the student will pick up on that and be uninterested in the class.
Instructor enthusiasm is a major key factor with retention. A student can read an instructor and their moods, and an instructor's mood is what is going to set the tone for the entire class. If the instrcutor is excited about the course content, they will make the class fun, and in turn, the class will become exciting for the student.
In regards to the "Class" - The students want to fell like they belong to the community... this helps to personalize the learning experience. If they feel like they belong to the group... they will be more engaged in the process of learning - Positive feedback - learning and know the name of each student... will help build the community.
Hi Julie,
Way to go in getting your students involved in course discussions. This helps to make it real for the students even though they are not on-site but have the same goals of career development and success.
Gary
An instructor literally needs to be an "actor" or "actress" at times - due to whatever may be happening in their own lives.
Students should never see "drama" in the classroom. We need to be there for THEM and understand that "life" is happening around them - the fears of not succeeding is HUGE. However, they look for every reason to leave and an instructor who is not enthusiastic, understanding, knowledgeable and ready turns into their excuse.
I feel that instructor enthusiasm has such an enormous influence on student retention. I'm sure that we've all been a student in a course where the instructor was less than enthusiastic and found it a chore to show up to class and work with the students. It's my personal philosophy that if you don't enjoy working with students and conveying your enthusiasm for the subject matter that you're teaching then you shouldn't be in education!
Students are looking to be inspired, encouraged, and challenged in class and this is impossible for instructors to do if they look at their teaching responsibility as a job rather than a career and a passion. Just as we expect the students to come prepared to class and give us their best effort, the students should be able to expect this from us as well.
Given the fact that I teach in the online environment, we run into some unique challenges to convey enthusiasm because most often, we don't communicate synchronously with the students. Some of the ways that I work to display enthusiasm in class is through our interactions in the discussion board, providing regular weekly announcements, and checking in with the students at least 2 times per week via email. I've found this works well for me and let's the students know that I'm involved, engaged, and enthusiastic about the content we're covering in class.
Enthusiasm is like laughter, it is catching. If an instructor is excited about a subject, the students in the class will also be excited.
I believe the enthusiasm an instructor exhibits is an important determinant in the student connecting both with the instrucor and the subject matter. If that connection is made, then that sense of connectedness transfers to the program and the school, and I believe that sense of connectedness alone transwfers into motivation to learn and to "belong" to the group.
If you are not excited or enthusiastic about a topic your students will not be. Students pick up on these signals and it translates to how successful they will or will not be. Dry delivery, monotone voice delivery and no connections to the real world are guarantees of poor retention.
Instructor enthusiasm is vital in teaching any course. A student must believe that what is being taught is important and relates to their field of study. If the instructor is not excited in presenting this information then it sends a message that lacks interest and energy and therefore holds no true value to the student
By being enthusiastic about the industry that my students and I are in, it shows them that there is actual success in their career that they just invested in. Knowing that they will have the ability to apply their newly acquired knowledge in real world situations makes them willing and enthused to retain information.
An upbeat, positive instructor will influence students to themselves be upbeat. Being positive, outgoing, self-deprecating and upbeat sets a positive tone for the classroom where students will feels safe to be themselves and add to the classroom experience. This should positively influence retention.
