Hi Branetta,
Trying having a guest speaking in the field to come talk about the real world in that particular area.
Patricia
The way I get students excited about course content is by letting the student know how the course will be structured. What is expected of them so that they can prepare themselves to be ready to learn.
I also take time to prepare fun and exciting projects for my class and inform my students to keep in mind that learning should not just be an academic chore but learning should be fun.
The adult learner should be involved in their learning process and what a great way to have them involved in the process by helping them be prepared to accomplish their academic goals in a fun and excitng way.
Vernise Walker
I have found this to be a challenge due to the fact most student are excited for maybe on lecture. I have to set up tours or demonstration with power points to let them see real world application.
Hi Donna,
You can create guided notes from your PowerPoint presentations and have the students fill in the notes as you lecture from the PowerPoints and add your own twist to the lecture.
Patricia
I am blessed to teach a large variety of courses, I like to gather information about my students learning preferences and unique goals. I capture this data by using surveys the first week of class. Then no matter what course I teach I can utilize this information to provide an optimal learning environment that is real world, real life and fun.
If I create handouts for a business math class and they are calculating loan payments, interest and so forth I will insert students names and the type of cars they want to have when they finish their education into the classes handouts.
In my PowerPoint slides I will acknowledge Microsoft and reference their video gaming products and perhaps put in a picture of a particular game I know the students play and talk about the creation of that game and all that goes into managing high tech products.
I find once you link the course objectives to students interest they really get involved in their learning and crave more.
some methods that i use to get students excited are examples of what I may have actually experienced. Letting them know what it will be like when they get out there on their own
I like to vary how I teach. I know the students like powerpoints for studying, but I like to use games such as Jeopardy or Bingo so that the students are more interactive. I some times have them do the games in group to create group cohesiveness. I know talking to other instructors that they worry the students will not get all the content, I try to conquer that by also giving them powerpoints they can review. I am currently getting ready for a new semester as well as teaching. Right now the powerpoints I am using pretty much come from the book, though we do have some discussion, I am wondering how to make the powerpoints more useful, not just a regurgitation of the text. Any suggestions?
I like this one and agree when I TALK ABOUT MY PAST EXPERIENCES THEY ACTUALLY LISTEN
Role playing and give examples of what they can learn from this coarse from previous classes experiences
Hi Michael,
I understand exactly what you are saying. Keyboarding is a lot like that where you have to practice outside of school in order to become better.
Patricia
Hi Joyce,
Great ways to generate excitement from students. Students really enjoy field trips they get to see how theory is actually applied in the workplace.
Patricia
I share my experiences, plan guess speakers/feild trips. I find that engaging with others/visiting spaces that repersent the students field of study inspires them . The value of the course material increases.
I share my real life experiences, plan field trips and guess speakers. I find that the students become very excited not only about engaging the course material but to meet/vist
with people/places that repersent their field.
I think this helps the student see the value of the course content.
I try to incorporate real life situations to make them interested in the particular subject.
In medical coding I try very hard to stress to the class that they are engaging in a curriculum that requires their participation both in/outside of the classroom. Coding is like a sport in that you have to practice the actual task of going through the motions. I will clarify that regular attendance is a requirement and that the participation portion of their final grade will reflect this responsibility. I emphasize the urgency for coders in the field and the financial gains that come with this career.
Hi Craig,
Great idea! I also like to bring in classified ads that are applicable to their careers. This is a great way to generate excitement along with sharing stories of jobs that were obtained by graduates.
Patricia
I like to add interactive, group activities that tie back to the course content. I want my students to think critically about the information in the textbook. I also never tell a student he/she is "wrong" during a class discussion. I use phrases such as, "That is close." or "You are on the right track." but never, "You are wrong." I want my students to be motivated by the information they are presented with and be able to correctly assimilate it.
In the capstone copurse in the MBA program, I have the students - in teams - play several "games" that reinforce the theories and models presented in their text. By relating the theory with "real world" examples, the students gain an appreciation of how to apply the academic tools to situations in their work life.
One of the ways I attempt to get students excited about Psychology Class is to play games, re-enact common themes through skits with regard to how people interact, and use stand up comedy material to illustrate common cognitive and behavioral errors.
Discussing current events in the business world and how they relate to the course they are taking and their future careers.
