I find that students can feel my excitement about the class we are starting, then they respond with positive feeling and usually with positive feedback. In our field, culinary, they seem excited to engage in new competencies.
Carol Kravitz
Using past indusrty experiance stories, as well as trying to get students to see the relavance of what I am trying to teach them. " How can this help you in your future?"
Hi Mark,
Excitement should start on day 1 and continue throughout the course. Students have to be sold on coming back the next class period. Every day should relate to the work world.
Patricia
Hi Dave,
I like how you allow your students to dive right in. What a great way to bring about excitement!
Patricia
As a beginning (skills) culinary instructor, My students are very eager to get started in a production kitchen. I have the students do a small amount of cooking (Set up a station and , light oven and begin to roast veal bones for stock) directly after taking roll. Then I go through the nuts and bolts of my class. at the end of the intro lecture, we are ready to begin stock production.
I believe that you need to start that from day 1. When I am beginning a new course I always relate the material to "the real world". Todays students need to see the relavance in the material you are covering. If you can make them understand why they need to learn about it and how it will help them then they will be more involved and particapte.
Good question, meta messages and para language concepts is applicable in motivating students.
Hi Loretta,
Once students understand the sole purpose of a course, they generally become excited and more receptive. Students need to understand why they are taking a particular course.
Patricia
Getting my student excited in math is one of the hardest. I start by showing them that math is used in nursing almost every day.
Hi Nancy,
I like how you get permission from students to use their work! It is a proud moment for students to know that their work is worthy enough to be used as a master piece. I know some instructors simply whiteout the student's name.
Patricia
Initially, on the first day of class and throughout the course, I distribute examples of completed student work. I explain to students that their own best work may (with their permission) also be used in my very next class for other students to learn from. Students tend to get excited about the idea that their own work might be an example for others to learn from.
Hi Kimberly,
What a great way to cover all areas! You mentioned the beginning, middle, and end. It is important to maintain excitement throughout.
Patricia
Hi Catherine,
I know, time is of the essence. Try scheduling way in advance so that you may obtain some success. Face-to-face guest speakers are the best, if at all possible!
Patricia
Yes, I am in total agreement, June!
It is sometimes difficult to get a guest speaker, due to their time committments and the vagaries of life in this profession; however, because of technology, it is now possible to have a guest speak to the class via Skype or even GoToMeeting! Technology has made time management in this area much more doable!
Having a guest speaker come in was enjoyed by all and helped to reaffirm why they are where they are and know that what they are studying is worthwhile
When a new course starts I like to capture the attention of my students by going over first whats expected of them and then what they will be doing throughout their time in the program. I also like to give them an insite as to what they'll be doing once they are completed with their schooling and explain to them how fun and rewarding their new careers will be.
A good way to get students excited about the course content is to fully explain to them why this course is necessary for them to reach their ultimate goal: Working in their chosen profession, which is why they are in school at this time.
Once they can fit the puzzle piece of THIS course work into the larger picture of how it will assist them to get where they want to be professionally, they will be far more interested and excited about the course content.
Hi Roger,
You have it! No one wants an unethusiastic teacher.
I feel the more excited you are the better it is for the students. A boreing teach is never fun
My class is a cooking class. I get the students excited by telling them in detail all the things we are going to make and eat in my class.I cover with them on the first day of class all the things they are going to learn, and all the tools they will have to be successful in our industry. I do cooking demonstrations for them, and talk exhaustively about all the techniques I am using. They are so into it.
