Ashley,
I think you are doing a great job of providing support to your students through the strategies you have listed in an online environment. The students know they can call upon you for advice and support as needed even though you are not on-site.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It is hard for a student to enjoy what they are learning if the instructor does not appear to enjoy it. I believe that if a student enjoys what they are learning, they are more apt to retain the information.
As a legal office administration instructor in a distance education college, the students don't get to see my physical reactions to the material. I do, however, encourage them to call me if they come across any cases or articles that they may want to talk about. I also let them know that I love having new people to talk about this field with since there are so few people in my personal life that enjoy it!
I believe this has allowed the students to realize that I do enjoy the material, and that I love sharing this knowledge with students!
John,
Great to hear. Knowing that the instructor has passion about his field goes a long way in helping students to connect with the content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Enthusiasm is no conscious choice of my own. It seems as if the craft I teach brings it out in me and my students pick up on that enthusiasm and I believe helps motivate them.
I maintain my passion for my field by keeping abreast of the newest advances in research in my area of teaching. I also think back to my college professors who motivated me the most and the ways they did so ... and I try to model their behavior in my class room.
Emily,
Passion about one's field is a valuable tool to use with students. I don't care if they make fun of me at times about how excited I am about the content I teach because even if they think I am over the top at times they are thinking about the course and what I am sharing with them, plus they know I will help them learn what they need to know.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I find that when my natural excitement about what I am teaching is obvious to my students, they often begin to giggle and laugh and I hear comments about how they didn't know it was possible to get so excited about how beautiful the pastry crust turned out (I teach baking and pastries for culinary students). When that happens, it seems a learning barrier has been sort of cracked open for the students, as if my seeing something great in even my own small accomplishments allows them to relax and enjoy the process of their own learning procedures a little more.
Debbie,
I completely agree with everything you stated. To add, I also find that students are often more attentive in class when they witness my enthusiam. When asked "where do I get it from?" I say what you did...."it's passion and only you will know what to do with it!"
I completely agree. Our students will one day be the innovators if we do our job correctly. That is something to be excited about. I hope that one day my encouragement will lead to my students taking the reins not only in their career, but to move forward into teaching, research and even development of new guidelines that pass it forward to the generation following them. I think the best way to keep our enthusiasm as instructors is to keep in mind our goals that we don't want to just provide our students an opportunity for a career but give them the chance to shine and become something spectacular within that field.
Ronald,
I agree as well about instructor enthusiasm. We need to bring our passion for our field and our enthusiasm for sharing it to class each time. This helps to keep the students engaged and focused on what is being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I feel that instructor enthusiasm is an important factor in the retention of the student. If the instructor is showing fun exciting learning methods that pertain to the information of the class, the student will feel the sincerity of the instructor, and the enthusiasm will rub off to the student. I always try to fit life examples into the lectures so that the student can see that it pertains to the field of their future. I fell that my students show the enthusiasm back in there questions also. I can tell if I am losing them in the discussion.
Instructor enthusiasm is one of the main ingredients in student retention. If the instructor has enthusiasm about the content of the course that is being delivered, the student are more likely to return to the next class period to see how and what information is going to be delivered.
An instructor's enthusiasm can have either a positive or negative effect on students. If the instructor is excited about the material she is teaching then that will rub off on the students and they will be excited about learning the material. However, If the instructor has become burned out on the material or is teaching a subject that they have no enthusiasm for then that will also rub off on the students. How can instructor expect a student to learn and be excited about a subject if they do not present it in an exciting manner?
Kizzy,
Knowing you have passion for your field and the fact that you get to shape the lives of students through your instruction is a powerful motivator for them. Enthusiasm is catching as you know so continue to spread it to your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I always seem to have my student ask me, “You love your job huh?†I always say, “I love what I doâ€. Hands down, this seems to be a motivating factor for my students. I also tell them that I’m them, 10 years ago. I discuss how I’ve had success in the field and that their time is almost here. Talking with my hands and moving about the room also adds to my classroom success. You must show the students at all times that what you're teaching them excites you as well. How can you expect students to be excited if you appear bored?!
Like any profession, I think you have to really believe in your product or service and you have to "sell" yourself and your product or service. I do not think you can "sell" enthusiasm unless you are "enthusiastic". Customers (or students) will quickly see through the facade.
Also, instructors must "pump themselves up" before every class meeting; otherwise, they will not do very well. (If necessary, you can feel tired or burned out after class.) Students deserve the best during every class meeting!
It seems that the process is somewhat similar to going on stage. At the end of every class, you should have no doubt that there was "value added".
Attitude reflects leadership. If the students don't see the Instructor with a good attitude and enthusiastic, then they will mirror this poor behavior. Students respond when their instructors have a passion for their profession or course material. They will see the validity in their program choice and strive for that same passion.
The more enthusiastic the instructor is the more the students will retain. If you are excited about your topic the student will inturn become excited. They will stay awake and be more interactive in class therefore increasing retention.
if they see how much you like what you are doing and how much you enjoy it.They will want the same
Cory,
Right you are. We need to bring our passion for our field and our enthusiasm for teaching to the classroom. By doing so our students will become more involved in the learning process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
