I am fairly new to the teaching arena so i don't have a lot of tried and true methods. But I have a good deal of experience as a preceptor in the acute care setting, and as such have always thought that getting the preceptees excited about learning is more then half the battle of being successful. So to enable this I try to incorporate activities that peak their interest. I have utilized ice breakers such as having each preceptee discuss their own experiences and what they are looking forward to learning during this time.
I give my students case studies that they need to write an script about the situation and creat a play, field trips, guest speakers and lot of questions that have no right or wrong answer.
Hi Dawn,
Great way to bond and have students become comfortable with each other.
Patricia Scales
I start with a team building activity as an icebreaker.
Hi Mary,
Students love having fun while learning. Games really help students retain information.
Patricia Scales
I get the students engaged with games related to the topic we are discussing at the time. They really enjoy interacting, and its a good way for they to get to know each other.
Hi Cain,
Great ways to generate excitement. I also like bringing in a graduate guest speaker to get students pumped up.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rachael,
Excitement certainly begins with the instructor. When the instructor gets excited, most of the students will get excited.
Patricia Scales
Some methods I have tried include meeting with graduates who work in the field for lunches, announcing to the class when a former student finds employment in the field, referencing news items and social media discussions which portray the industry in a positive light, and encouraging students to engage with social/professional organizations in their field of study.
When I show my passion and excitement for the materials it seems to get the students excited. Unfortunatly there are some long dragging materials in the course and it is important to think of activities to make it not so long. Break up the lecture and have an activity to go with what was just taught.
Hi Chris,
When students feel a sense of involvement/owership, they get excited about the course.
Patricia Scales
I find that getting students evolved in a discussion in a the class syllabus so as to show each student what the course means to everyone else as well as themselves.
Hi Brittney,
You are absolutely correct. In oder to get the students excited the instructor needs to be excited.
Patricia Scales
Hi Norman,
Super! Students want to know how what they are learning really applies to the workforce.
Patricia Scales
I give personal stories of my job and how it applies to the course work. This helps students realize the material they are learning can be applied to everyday life.
Robert,
I think having a friendly competition is a great way to get students excited. Most students have every intent to be the "best of the best" and I love seeing the excitement of those students working their way to the top. Great idea!
Hi Patricia,
I think that students become excited about a subject when you are excited about it as an instructor. When I have new students, I tell them about some of the exciting things that I have done in the career that they are entering into.
Some of the methods that I use to get students excited about the course would be to explain to the students the earning potential that they could have just by adding certain courses to their skill set. I notice after I explain that this is more than just a class that you will take to graduate and reiterate the value of the class, students are more attentive. Bringing in guess speakers also get’s students excited in class.
Regards,
Anthony Allen
The use of Ice Breakers have been effective in some of the courses I teach. Students seem to open up and share their thoughts. Usually good dialog follows once one opens up.
Hi Danice,
Great hands-on practice to get students excited and ready for the real world. Students love doing things in the classroom that they are going to encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
