If I'm not excited by the course content, then I know my students won't be either. I find that, besides going over the syllabus on the first day, giving the students some concrete examples of what we are going to accomplish in the class helps them get excited and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Hi Miriam,
I love your enthusiasm! I can tell you get your students pumped and ready to go! Continue to generate energy in your classes.
Patricia Scales
One the first day of class I let all my students discuss their reason for choosing this profession out loud to the class. Upon completion I then with excitment explain all the rewards it has to give including some personal experiences it has given to me in the over 40 years of working in the same field.I try to get them excited from day one and continue each day with encouragement.
Hi Linda,
I agree! Excitement begins with the instructor! If the instructor is excited most students will become excited!
Patricia Scales
I love to begin with sharing the passion that I have for the career and the course they are about to take. I feel that it becomes contagious and it makes the students excited about there. I dicuss the "Big Picture" and try to learn everyones goal. A great positive attitude is a great way to pump up the students and let them know how excited I am for them.
Hi NANCY,
You definitely have a challenge, but it seems like you are certainly doing your due diligence to gain excitement from your students. They need to understand the courses you are teaching is certainly a setup for them to succeed. It is the solid foundation to everything they need, both personally and professionally.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kristia,
Students want to be kept busy and utilize the theory that they have learned. Most students want to know how to do it so that they are successful in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I teach remedial courses that my students must pass but receive no credit. They are not happy to be in my class, especially the first day. I try to tell them that I am here to help get them through this. I committed to giving them whatever they need in order to pass. I show them how increasing their reading and writing can help them in whatever career they choose and in their future college careers.
A few of the methods I've used to get students excited about courses include showing them hands on videos, giving them real world applicable projects, and giving them plenty of hands-on-training. And yes like many others have posted previously, I love when the Ah Ha moment snaps into place and they understand all their hard work was worth it!
Hi John,
Students love it when we are personable with them yet professional! We have to let them know that we are human just like they are.
Patricia Scales
I absolutely love this method. You got the students attention, lightened the mood and humanized yourself all in one blow. Definitely something I will keep in mind for the future.
Hi Jean,
I love how you are enthusiastic about what you teach. Excitement really and truly begins at the very top! The instructor's excitement can really be contagious.
Patricia Scales
Hi Shivani,
I concur! When students understand how the job will benefit them in their career they automatically buy into the program. Adult students need to and want to understand the benefit of taking the course.
Patricia Scales
I am a clinical instructor for the LVN students and I agree it is scary for them, when they first go into the facility, they are frighten and uncomfortable with talking to residents, so I tend to remain calm and reassuring and will usually strike up a conversation with the residents and this helps the students to be themselves and not be intimidated by doing something new.
give some examples of how this course will enhance their knowledge and skills and benefit them in their quest for upward mobility.
Demonstrate my own enthusiam for the course. develop teams and provide competitive challenges to the team.
I like to use relevancy to the work force and how they intertwine. Letting students know how a class subject relates to a job makes them more engaged
Hi Steven,
Great course to tie in with real life examples. I fully understand how you have to be careful with discussion so that students do not get off track.
Patricia Scales
USe of real life examples...media, newspapers and articles...its economics so much is relevant and easily generates discussion. Do have to keep focus on the content of economics, and not just rants.
Hi William,
No one wants to be bored. It is our job as the instructor to make the course as exciting as possbile. Trying different teaching methods is a good way to generate excitement. Try things such as field trips, guest speakers, scenarios, simulations, mock learning, peer teaching, technology, etc.
Patricia Scales
I find that many courses are not exciting to some students and so we must find something in the study that will cause some discussion,as something that relates to real life situations or from on the job experience to elaborate on. There is always points of interest in our life experience that brings us to agreement or disagreement with our personal experience on the subject of discussion,however it opens the class and students to dialog. W.Clay
