motivating students
Changing the delivery method and actively engaging each student on some level will every day more interesting for both the student and the teacher.
Germain, I agree 100% but where do the students learn to perform such functions? It has to be part of the desired learning outcomes of the course and the overall curriculum. If we do not teach them how to think critically, creatively and be problem solvers, they will not learn these skills by themselves. This is why the design of the curriculum and the design of each course is so critical. Instructors need to communicate with each other to ensure learning outcomes are taking place at all levels. The example that comes to mind is the English instructor that all the students like when they take their course but when the student moves on to the next level course, they are not prepared for the learning outcomes. If these two instructors do not communicate with each other, how will changes take place to better prepare students for that next level? If the learning outcome of the course is for a student to be able to analyze an event and discern cause and effect, what activities are introduced that teaches the student how to perform such tasks? If you have any specific examples of how your courses or curriculum accomplish such goals, please share with the group as I am sure many would be very interested. Greatly appreciate anything you can share.
James Jackson
Yes, but it is not enough to have random discussion of events. Students should be encouraged to analyze events to understand their core issues/causes/effects as well as discover what those events really mean for them as individuals. Simply talking with no goal is not applying active learning principles.
Jeffrey, the ways we were taught simply does not translate well into what will be needed for you to be an effective teacher. Break away from that mind set and focus more on what we as instructors tell our students, become a life long learner and seek out peer reviewed articles that describe best practices in teaching and learning. For any situation you may currently experience or encounter, someone has probably already written about it and you need to seek it out and incorporate lessons learned into your own delivery of your lesson objectives. Always seek solutions versus accepting your perceived limitations.
James Jackson
It can be a challenge to engage the students daily in ways other than how we were taught as students. I have found that when I view the lesson from the students point of view I can correct the delivery method of the lessons message.
Incorporating everyday events and true accounts along with changing things up helps to entertain the students. I think motivating them is part of both those things, but you have to be able to remind the students of what motivates them and encourage their motivation with praise and positive feedback
Incorporating everyday events and true accounts along with changing things up helps to entertain the students. I think motivating them is part of both those things, but you have to be able to remind the students of what motivates them and encourage their motivation with praise and positive feedback
Joseph, changing up the delivery method is a great technique but it is critical to still have a plan. Use the most appropriate delivery method that allows you do deliver your learning objectives that resonate most with your students.
James Jackson
I believe it will be more interesting as well as satisfing. When the students are motivated they are interested as well as interesting. It makes teaching much more fun and satisfing. I feel as though I have accomplished my goal as an instructor if the students accually learn and especially if we all have fun while doing it.
