One of the biggest motivators is when I hand them the yearly salary survey for people in the career field! It also shows them the other options that are out there in specialty fields and the difference in income that more education makes.
I try to make personal worksheets, too, because I can make them more interesting than some of the ones the book provides. I even throw in a game day around midterm and for the final review.
The first day of classes, I give examples of a variety of personal experiences: 1. as a "student"-to provide some empathy that I was once in their shoes and understand the potential "road-blocks" to achieving their goals, yet they are achievable. 2. as an "employee" in my field of expertise-to provide engagement in how all material learned will potentially be useful in their career. 3. as an "instructor"-to be explicit of my expectations of their learning and success throughout their courses. Then each student provides input as to why they feel the course is pertinent to their career choice and how content can be utilized.
Throughout the classes, I am, as many of my students claim - very EDUTAINING! continuing to provide real-life scenarios/experiences as it relates to topics in class and encouraging student input with experiences!
To get my students excited about new material I try to engage them in hands on activities encouraging them to perform each task and provide them with positive constructive feedback as they do so.
By giving example of the course aplication in the industry and the field that will help them in their future.
Also giving some of Instructor experience example will motivate sutdents on the benefit of the cousre
Hi Marlo,
I love it! I am all about inspirational readings. Students love the energy that is projected from the quotes.
Patricia
What I try to do is keep the students on the goal at the end and try to eliminate any negativity instantly becuse if you do not do this it will spread like the flu
First of all, I put tons of excitement into my classes when I first walk through the door. Being up beat and ready to go all of the time keeps the students on their toes. Of course not all students react the same way to enthusiasm but I continue to show it. I do a lot of interactive activities in my classes. I put alot of time into planning my classes using the content that is supplied to me along with ideas that we as instructors share. Usually in my class we have discussion and then we have a hands on activity that ties to the discussion. One way of making sure the students are able to apply what they learned in a hands on activity to bring it all together.
Chuck, you hit it right on. It is so true that if someone in the class is having a bad day, the rest of the class seems to follow suit. I find that my excitement is spread throughout the classroom. Somedays I am just not feeling it, and boy can my students tell. They can read me like a book. So I totally agree with keeping the excitement going in the classroom must start with the instructor.
One thing that I do for every course every day is to put a short inspirational quote on the board. A "thought for the day". I started this years ago when I managed a team - I would send out a daily thought. In the academic environment, I found it easiest to write up at the top of the board. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of students to comment and/or ask for today's quote. I've found it to be a nice way to start the day. It has little to do with the actual course, but, a lot to do with the attitude in which we start our day.
Hi Stephanie,
Some students are very dramatic, and they can really act the part. What a great way to incoporate humor while learning. Role playing is an excellent teaching tool as well.
Patricia
Hi Tracy,
Very interesting and what a great way to generate excitment from your students. You old dad and grandpa big they help you sell the course, super!
Patricia
One way I get my students excited is role play. I get them to play the part of a difficult patient and let the other students evaluate the MA. This gives them the opportunity to experience how to handle a patients and we always get a good laugh. We are even surprised at the acting skills some of the students have.
One way to get them excited is I have my father and grandfather come in to meet the class and talk to them about why they picked this carreer and how it treated them over the years. Yes I am a third generation electrician.
Tracy
Hi Phonesavanh,
Students fears are eased after being shown examples. Students appreciate being shown examples.
Patricia
Hi Chris,
Great ways to get students excited. Students are real motivated whenever they know that they can apply what they are learning to their profession.
Patricia
Hi Norma,
I include humor when it is appropriate. It seems to work really well.
Patricia
Hi Sheena,
Students really do enjoy hearing about our professional experiences as to how they relate to the professional world. I especially like how you put a spin on your stories with humor.
Patricia
Hi Stephanie,
Students do get really excited by hearing the isntructors professional experiences as to how they relate to the real world.
Patricia
On the first day, I show the students examples of presentation posters or powerpoints that former students have put together for their final project. This usually will help students not be so intimidated of the work required from them since they have seen examples. Also, usually with our college, most students know each other and will be able to recognize a work of another student, which helps build camaraderie.
I get my students excited by showing them videos on real life situations as well as giving them examples of how I used the skills I teach in the field and how important it is to learn and perform the skill properly.
