Hi Ob,
That is is not the best thing to do, to be apologetic about the boring class. The instructor needs to start on Day 1 trying to make the class as exciting as possible. The excitement must first start with the instructor. Excitement is a trickle down effect.
Patricia
Hi Millicent,
A smile can go a long ways. Students need to know that you are personable, friendly, and approachable. Excitement starts with the instructor.
Patricia
I find that greeting my students with a smile and using humor helps to keep the students excited and motivated.
Being positive yourself can get students excited about a course. I have been in a class and have heard instructors apologize for this being a boring class when the class hasn't even started. Also, I think introducing guest speakers that will be coming to the class that course gets them excited.
Sharing my personal experience usually works
I like to include video clips that show the diversity of the topic as well as add humor. For example when I teach on the topic of the 5 Stages of Grief I understand that it is a topic that is difficult and emotional for all students. After talking about each stage I end the discussion with a video I found that has a cartoon giraffe going through each stage and his reactions. It is funny yet informative...it eases the tension of a highly emotional topic.
I first talk about the course and what it teaches us. I then share my own excitement, what I got out of it when I was going through a similar course and how much more I have learned since. I tell them they too can learn things they did not know before, new information, a different way of doing something. As the course unfolds, I make sure to point out information that is new or changed and compare it to how it used to be. At the end of the course I have them write a short essay as to what they learned throughout the course, and it is amazing to me to see how much they walk out with and how greatful they are for what they have learned. There is no greater reward!
Hi Robert,
Yes, this is a sure way to bring about great excitement! I love it! I love telling stories about successful graduates to get others excited.
Patricia
Hi Gilbert,
I like to share applicable experiences to the lesson to get everyone excited. I also like to talk about money and their career to generate excitement.
Patricia
I think eye contact here is very important. Going form one student to another and not missing any is very effective. Switching subject and coming back I find is helping in keeping attention.
I teach 3-D animation and I like to show new students past graduate’s work that have moved on to a successful career.
get the students get excited....dont be monotonous, group work and sharing personal experiences related to topic, discussions and dont be as a instructor read the book. Challenge the students also will to do project related to course content.
Hi Gail,
Students enjoy hearing our stories that apply to the lessons. Students get excited when they hear about things that have happened in the workplace.
Patricia
I teach criminal justice and in my crime scene investigation I show them a skill such as latent print dusting and they look at that as magic and they want to learn how to perform the skill.
I use real life scenarios and give examples from my employment experience to show what some course content could look like in the real world
Hi Omar,
Thanks for geniunely caring. How has Google been helpful?
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
I like your enthusiasm. You're right no one wants to be bored. Enthusiasm starts at the top with the instructor. Students can tell when you are excited about the subject matter.
Patricia
Hi Gail,
Our students enjoy hearing our stories. It is always good to share the serious side as well as the fun side so that students can understand that any profession can be fun, but you must do your work.
Patricia
Hi Angelia,
Students enjoy hearing scenario's that are applicable to the lesson. Scanario's add flavor to discussion.
Patricia
I like to get students excited about any course or topic by selecting an appropriate scenario’s that will best illustrate the teaching points. By providing background information we can construct a reverse matrix. The scenario will be brought back in to the discussion as the class progresses. Knowledge and skills can be incorporated by students.
