I am passionate about learning; therefore, I want my students to become passionate also. If I bring my enthusiasm to the class, then they will feed off of my energy. We will then have a dynamic session.
I think you must love what you do. The students will see right through you if you try to "fake it".
The couse I teach has a very practcal application in the careers they are working toward. I have worked in that field and my enthusiasm for the skill needed is evident to the students. This helps to make them excited about aquiring the needed skill.
I'll maintain enthusiasm during the dry bits by injecting the random rewards and current events that relate to the topic throughout the lesson. If there is a bit of dry material to get through, it eases the 'pain' and provides those necessary anecdotes to bring the spirit and mood back up.
If an instructor give the appearance of not caring about the subject matter, why should the student care? By showing enthusiasm for the subject, or learning in general, an instructor becomes a role model. By advocating the concept of life-long learning, an instructor can have a tremendous effect on student retention.
The instructor sets the tone and atmosphere for learning. If the tone is positive and enthusiastic then the student will honestly feel the connection and relevance between them, the material and the class. That relevance is key in motivation and committment for the student. Lighting a fire of excitement and keeping the student excited about the material while keeping in mind the trials and tribulations our students are facing will help result in high student retention.
When students see how passionate and motivated I am about my work, it motivates them to feel the same way. On days where I have a lower energy, my students can sense it and seem lower energy as well. Enthusiasm is definetely contagious.
When the students see the instructor having enthusiasm they know their instructor has "passion" for what they are learning. If someone has passion everything falls into place,even on the bad days.
Jim,
They sure can and this sets up the opportunity for the instructor to get the students engaged and focused on the content.
Gary
Students can sense when a instructor is eager and willing to share his/her influences in the classroom and will respond more eagerly to questions.
Students feel the enthusiasm thst instructors bring to the classroom and become more relaxed and excited at the same time in anticipation of the work that is coming to them. The instructor can bring out the inhibitions of some students to open up and relax .
I feel that the students pick up on the attitudes of the instructor. If the instructor likes the material, the students are more likely to like it. I know when I am having an off day. The Students will ask me what is wrong.
Walter,
Right you are about some subjects being a bit dry. Yet, with an exciting instructor that cares about student success learning will occur and students will value the content that is being delivered which is what you are doing with your methods. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Instructor Enthusiasm simply put, can make or break a class. There are some subjects whether we like it or not, which are just dry. I have found that my enthusiasm and willingness to add creativity to the learning environment goes along way toward keeping my students motivated.
Faysha,
So true and well said. Student comfort sets the stage for student engagement which is essential to sustained learning.
Gary
By nature, people want to be where they feel comfortable or the environment is pleasant. By showing enthusiasm, the instructor shows a level of comfort that will be echod by the student. That same enthusiasm breeds an air of pleasantness that students respond to well.
Evelyn ,
Good suggestions for ways to improve both the effectiveness and clarity of lectures. This will be valuable for all instructors to consider.
Gary
Focus on five or six different students each day and give your lecture as if you were
talking to them individually.
Look for ways to relate the course material as a story.
Invite guest speakers to your course.
Learn to vary the pitch or inflection of your voice.
Practice your lecture communication skills in front of a mirror.
Use your students to monitor your presentation.
Use dramatic pauses and repetition to draw students’ attention to the main ideas.
As the preceded discussion mentioned, an enthusiastic instructor is one of the best motivator to the learning process. The intension of a career school is for students to be place on work assignment immediately upon graduation. Most career schools are thought my instructors that are currently in the field or retired from the field. Students want to known that not only will he/she become proficient in their chosen career but that they will enjoy the working enviroment. Sharing some of the day to day antidotes and rewards with students will not only inspire them to fulfill their career goals but they will look forward to start working in their chosen profession.
If an instructor is not enthusiastic about the subject they are teaching the students will not be as engaged in the course. You have to find a way to make the learning experience enjoyable and interesting. When students look forward to an courase because of the instructor makes learning fun they will stay. Students who leave are not feeling important and or that they are valued by the instructor or the institution.
