Hi Katharine,
I agree with your assessment of what enthusiasm can do for student engagement and learning. It makes a major difference in how students perceive the importance of the course content.
Gary
By showing enthusiasm the instructor will enhance the learning atmosphere by creating a positive atmosphere that will motivate the students to excel in their learning process. The students will be eager and excited to learn more.
When students see that the instructor cares about the subject matter, they will see the subject matter as important since the instructor is someone they respect and most students want to be around and please those that they respect.
The physiology of learning is centered in the brain and long term memory storage. The amigdla and hippocampus direct long term memory storage based on excitement and personal envolvement associated with data recieved by the senses. Enthusiasm in the classroom excites these brain areas and promotes learning. Human beings respond to the emotions of others. An enthusiastic instructor instills enthusiasm in students, and excites them to learn.
I feel it can be the "trump card" for a struggling student. When a student sees the teacher excited and positive about the impact of the didactic topic at hand, it makes it easier and less stressful for them to accept and adapt positively when their existing study strategies fail.
Time and again I have seen students consider withdrawal when they can not comprehend the materials and the instructor projects a "take it or leave it" attitude when tutoring. If the teacher does not project a "can do" enthusiastic attitude, the at risk student can fall into a negative downward spiral which compells them to leave.
Enthusiasm is contagious! Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. I had an A+P instructor- she was very entusiastic- I retained most of her teaching during her class and didn't even need to study much to pass the course with an "A".
I agree with the post. An instructor has to be positive about the everyones learning experience. Use creative ideas to keep everyones interest and ideas as to how to apply it outside of the classroom.
if you love your subject the student is more open to learning. enthusiasm is contageous
I totally agree with you post. I too try my very best to make sure school is exciting and try to make it fun. I believe in laughter in learning. We do things in my classes like skits and impromptu scenarios to help them understand how to think on their feet and manage unforseen circumstances. My students have told me that this really helps them understand the text material by implementing it as it will apply in their new careers. Plus, for me at least, I enjoy having fun and can only teach this way.
I have always found more value in instructors who are excited about their material. It has often helped me overcome fears of a class that I may have been afraid I would fail at. Enthusiasm is infectious in all areas of life, the classroom certainly applies.
By having enthusiasn for the course your are teching, gives the student excitement for what they are learning. Plus it also increases their awareness to want to learn more.
If the instructor isn't excited about the course material, then there's no way students will be excited about the course material. We must set the tone for the class: excitement and active learning. This can be especially important for students who didn't care for high school or thought it was a waste of time - they can become infected by others' excitement. One student I've had for a few classes always makes the comment, "I love walking into your classroom. You're always smiling!" Students see excitement and will, in turn, become excited and want to learn.
Well, potentially an enthusiastic instructor may have a positive impact on retention; however, there does seem to be limits for such based on other external factors, and do you think some subjects may not lend themselves to a lot of instructor enthusiasm at the risk of being seen as a fake?
It can be true about the enthusiasm the instructor reflect has a great influence on the enthusiasm the student will have in return which therefore reflect retention.
When the instructor is enthusiastic is the student usually returns the enthusiasm. It also makes the student want to engage in learning the material.
Instructor enthusiam sets the tone for the class. If the instructor is excited about the material he/she will be presented, the student will be excited to learn!
