Creating motivation
Students feel that effective use of time by having the ability to apply the theory to practice helps them learn and understand how relevant it is to the future and the careers that they choose.
Adam, wow what a great motivator. Showing them a day in the life of a true professional can be great motivation for many students. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
James Jackson
I create motivation in my IT classes by ensuring each student makes it to my daytime job in a live IT environment. By showing them what they can be and can do after their degree program, they get a nice preview of their future jobs
Kelly, well stated. You should also help your students understand that math also fuels the brain in other ways such as building more synaptic pathways and thus helps to make us smarter in ways other than math. Learning new and complex pieces of information is always a good thing.
James Jackson
Tonya, great topic and one that all instructors need to be aware. Such concepts are part of the literacy all instructors should strive to better understand. Thanks for sharing.
James Jackson
R. Maurice, great topic. Your students may want to check out the Technology presentations at www.TED.com. The times, they are a changin as the song goes and when it comes to technology the changes in the next 20 years will dwarf the last 100.
James Jackson
I agree that motivation can be increased by showing the students how the material relates to their futures. I teach math, and many students feel intimidated by math, or feel that they do not need to learn it in order to be successful in their careers. I make sure that each topic we cover in the math class has a relevant application, and I show that to the students. It also increases their motivation when they see this example, it makes sense, and they can do it on their own!
I love the Maslow theory of needs and use this often when teaching about motivation. It basically speaks to the notion that there are five levels of needs each one of us have and is based on a hierarchy. The maslow concepts basically speaks to what he feels are the five areas that drive our overall motivation. The hierarchy includes the following five needs:
• The Physiological—basic survival and biological function.
• The Security—a safe physical and emotional environment.
• The Belongingness—love and affection.
• The Esteem—positive self-image/self-respect and recognition and respect from others.
• The Self-actualization—realizing one’s potential for personal growth and development.
This needs to be taken even another step -- backwards in some cases. Not only must an instructor be able to explain concepts in terms that can be used currently, but also needs to put some concepts into historical perspective. For instance, most students under age 25 have never been without a cell phone. Those under the 35-40 range have had pagers or cell phones. Those who have reached 60 or beyond may remember, or even used, phones that had a rotary dial or in rural areas of this country even had to go through the operator. This historical perspective can convey to students that, in this case, advancing technology, has extrinsically advanced communication and enable everyone to become more efficient. This can motivate students to use new technology and devices that will make their jobs even easier in the future compared to the "stuggles" of older individuals. The bottom line to students -- we can't go back -- only forward.
Kevin, equally important is the instructor's ability to explain concepts in terms of current events and how the concepts relate to practical applications. Great post.
James Jackson
