One of the most difficult problems I have had to deal with is when a student that has been threw many previous courses prior to mine and has lost all motivation and interest to learn. I have found that personal attention during lectures and Q&A time allows me to use certain types of extrinsic motivation like verbal encouragement can start to reignite the student’s motivation. When the motivation returns I can start to see the light in there eyes that tells me that they now have gained some intrinsic motivation. This is both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for me.
Intrinsically, I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to share my lifelong learning and experiences with many likeminded students coming up the ranks in a manner that instills in them the same kind of passion and desire to learn what they love in life. Extrinsically, a variety of incentives serve to shape and motivate my overall behavior and/or outlook, including recognition schemes, parties, non-cash alternatives, gadgets, and time off work.
Hank, in what ways could you fill the full 90 minutes and not lecture at all? For some instructors this sounds like an impossible question but in reality the focus that has come out of research is the importance of engagement. You can engage your students for the full 90 minutes and not need any time to formerly lecture. The concept you may want to explore is called the guide on the side versus the sage on the stage. One such example is provided but there are many more:
From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side
Alison King
College Teaching
Vol. 41, No. 1 (Winter, 1993), pp. 30-35
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27558571
James Jackson
David, good to see you gain enjoyment out of the achievements of your students. Students can tell very easily when their instructors truly enjoy the art and science of teaching versus just earning a paycheck. Keep up the great work.
James Jackson
Hank, can you share some of the techniques you use to engage your students and get them to respond in positive ways? For some instructors they feel that engagement is a matter of the subject matter versus just being a good and engaging instructor. Thanks for any tips you can share from your own experiences.
James Jackson
The motivation for me is the prospect of having 90 minutes of class but only 10 minutes of material! What am I going to do for the other 80 minutes? The students count on us to lead them on a journey of learning new ideas and concepts in their fields. Most of these adults have their own experiences that shape their perspectives and lecture time is only good for introducing concepts. The students want to do it themselves and experience the knowledge in real-world situations. To open the doors for these experiences and give these students a chance to learn something new to them is what motivates me to teach.
Intrinsically I enjoy what I do and get great satisfaction out of helping students achieve their goals. Having access to the latest technical information of my field is a great motivator for me.
Extrinsically beyond being able to make a good living, having a student tell me at the end of a course that they really enjoyed the class and learned a great deal really does go a long way to motivate me to keep going.
Intrinsic - I switch between the white board and show them an actual activity
Extrinsic - I love showing the job opportunities and searching with them, I encourage them that in a few months this job could be theirs.
The motivation for me is the response I hope to receieve in the classroom. Too many bad experiences with certain lessons where you lose the students attention or motivation to learn because the material is hard or boring keeps the presure on to find a better way to focus their energies on constructive learning. To have a classroom respond in a positve way to a lesson is pure joy compared to the deflation of having no feedback or getting to the "I don't care" look from the room. If they arre having a good time learning then I'm having a great time being part of the experience, and my class time goes by faster!
Enrique, what techniques do you use to better understand the intrinsic and extrinsic motivators of your students? Do you engage in any conversations about the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
What motivates me intrinsically is to be able to express the true nature of cooking, where passion and technique are joined in order to create wonderful dishes. Extrinsically I am motivated when the students express themselves positively when they realize that the program is here to help them achieve success.
Paul, think of intrinsic as those things that motivate you if money were no object. If you won the lottery, would you still teach and why. The answer to the why would be your intrinsic motivators. Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Stacey, I know of no greater testament of great teaching than student appreciation. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
LeJean, think of intrinsic as what you would do if money were of no concern. If you won the lottery would you still teach? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Adam, money can be a motivator but there are many ways to make money. What drew you to higher education and being an instructor? Thanks for anything you can share.
James Jackson
Katie, how often do you share this information with your students? Showing the values of enjoying what you do and is your passion can assist students in understanding extrinsic versus intrinsic values.
James Jackson
I am having some difficulty understanding the two types of motivators. If I am correct, when I have some control over the learning process this is intrinsic. Extrinsic motivators are the rewards for being a good instructor.
It is such a good feeling when, as an instructor, you know you have created an inviting and effective classroom. Also, when it is time for reviews- your students tell you that yours is their favorite class! Makes it all worth it :)
Intrinsic Motivation: When I see the students enjoying, participating, discussing and learning while using the new information. I enjoy seeing students Succeed!
Extrinsic Motivation: I enjoy helping students to understand and learn relevant subjects successfully. I take pride in doing the best I can be as an Instructor by being organized, asking questions and having small group activities. I enjoy being an Instructor and Loving it--*and* getting a paycheck as well! So would I say that was Both Extrinsic and Intrinsic?
What intrinsically motivates me in the classroom is being able to look at myself in the mirror & knowing I did my best to motivate & educate the students in front of me.
What extrinsically motivates me to be a an excellent instructor, let's not kid ourselves, money is a motivator. There is more, being able to educate myself on current technoligies, looking at students when they leave knowing that they are prepared to do the job, & of course being recoginized by your peers.
