motivation
Looking for ways to motivate students is always a work in progress as every class is different.
I agree, the current class is almost self motivator and praising their success during clinical task enhances their motivation drive.
I do the same in my clinicals. I learn from each group.
There is not a more true statement when it come to classes. Some cleasses practically teach themselves. Some are quiet and afraid it seems. Some groups are boiterous. Some are inattentive and borderline rude. I've learned on day start out as the class leader and stay there. My personal enthusiasm makes a difference. If I'm interested in the subject most of the time the class will be.
One of the ways I've used to motivate students is to use the example of the "go to guy". Very often I hear students talk about what "my buddy said" only to find out their buddy was only partially right or was just not correct. Encouraging them to do their own research to find the right answers not only serves to help them become more proficient in their own knowledge, but to become students all their lives to further their goals and aspirations.
Martin, have you tried having your more seasoned students discuss their experiences to the more novice students? Both groups could benefit.
James Jackson
I find that the my older students, which are back in school preparing for their second career, are more motivated than the students preparing for their first career. I will have my older students share some life lessons learned in their first career to help motivate the younger students.
Sometimes motivation is easy when the students are interested in the topic other times it may take more like an enthusiastic introduction telling them what they will gain form the lesson, but sometimes it takes a reward such as; If the entire class can keep perfect attendance the entire length of the class we will have a pizza party on the last day for lunch
I try to put shy students together in a group to push them to the foreground and have them participate because they can't just watch someone else do the task.
Jacqueline, motivation can be a tricky term. First you need to make sure the student has the necessary skills to be successful such as good study habits, understand the basic skills associated with being information literate and review their learning patters for different forms of learning disorders. These factors can make understanding their motivation somewhat tricky.
James Jackson
Very true but if we can keep the student's motivated it will increase their learning, because all student's are motivated either negatively or positively and our job is to positively motivate students to learn the material, so as instructors we must stay on top of ways to motivate the students.
I agree with you, Joe. I do the same thing in class and lab, pairing students, and find that it works very well.
James, friendly competition is healthy and a great technique to get students to perform. It also provides a seance of real world mentality since many professions today include some form of competitive angle.
James Jackson
Christopher, being a guide does not exclude building relationships with students. There is nothing wrong meeting students outside the classroom as long as a lesson objective is achieved and students are moving forward along a path of learning. The end goal is transfer of knowledge and student mastery of lesson objectives. There are an infinite number of ways to achieve such goals.
James Jackson
For the age group I generally deal with (18-26), competition is a fairly big motivator. Just outdoing the other class on test scores gives bragging rights and helps the class work more as a team when they learn and study.
I agree with you on the "buddy," thing. I think becoming a "buddy," in some classrooms has usurped the premise of education, which is to learn. One instructor, who I have worked with would dismiss his class at the halfway point, every class. He would meet the class out for dinner and count it as a class session/field trip. This produced an environment where a small student body talked and fostered the idea that all instructors should be conducting business in this fashion. This generated dissatisfaction on behalf of the student and the other instructors. If all involved in the education process are dissatisfied, motivation declines or plummets to nothing rapidly. This was all due to the "buddy," system of education.
Patricia, outstanding that you use what you learn from your students and incorporate lessons learned into future courses. You are practicing continual improvement which enhances the learning experience of your students.
James Jackson
I give the students my expectations for the final outcome and let them take ownership of how they will complete the project. I support them by asking questions as to why they think their way will be successful and give feedback on their ideas. It seems that the students really challenge and push themselves when they feel that they have total responsibility for the end result. I learn a lot from them, too. I've even adopted some new strategies based on their ideas!
Kathryn, the more connected you can get with your students the better they will learn. This is not to say you need to be their buddy, focus on a professional relationship where the knowledge you gain will assist you in better reaching your students on a level they can understand.
James Jackson
This is a great technique and one that I use as well. Students really do get more motivated when they feel that the teacher cares about their success. Interacting with other students is also a great way to get to know each other better and help each other reach their goals.
