discuss leaders in our industry via the web, blogs or magazine articles
As an automotive training facility I get the students excited by showing them the labs, showing them what the hands on part of the class will be about. I also have given pre-tests were I know they will score low. I grade them and dont pass them back. I tell them that they will retake the test without knowing what they originally scored. Promising them that they will do bettter the second time around.
Hi Ronald,
Students automatically become very interested anytime you talk about money.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
If you know there is something that will get the students excited, talk about those things.
Patricia
I teach at an automotive school, so I relate the course material to the things that the students find exciting,( such as raceing or modifications.)
In my prepress course I spend a good bit of time talking about different ways to charge for your work. By the hour, per page, or a set price for a particular type of project. Whenever I do this, the students always become very interested in what I am saying. I am thinking of other ways to interject the financial rewards (as well as pitfalls), into the course.
Hi David,
Excitement starts with the instructor. Excitement is a trickle down effect. Normally, if the instructor is excited, the students will become excited.
Patricia
I share with the students how much fun it was to perform the type of work they are going to learn about. I get enthused about the subject and I can see that reflect in thier faces.
Hello Quesstonnal,
Excitement starts from the very top. Generally, when the instructor is excited about the subject matter, the excitement trickles to the students. Students need energetic instructors.
Patricia
I am usually excited about the subjects I teach, therefore the fun just bubbles over. Also, I try to give the students a visual on how the subject we are discussing connects to the industy.
Hi Eli,
It is always good whenver you can get students to see how the class will help them both personally and professionally.
Patricia
During the first class, much of what I do to get students excited about my course is to talk about how the course information will apply to their daily lives and how they can use that information to advance themselves professionally and personally.
During future classes, what I do to get students excited about my course is to do class exercises such as personality assessments, diversity evaluations, stress level inventories, etc. I also show lots of videos and clips from resources such as ted.com (Ideas Worth Spreading) that are "hands on" rather than theoretical examples of course content. Lastly, I introduce discussions about current news which often peaks students' interests. For example, in one class we discussed Greg Mortenson's (Central Asia Institute) criticism of America's decision to increase military troops in Afghanistan without consultations with Afghan tribal leaders (who truly have local/regional control - more so than the Afghan President Hamid Karzai). In Mortenson's experiences building schools in Afghanistan, he firmly believes that without the buy-in of local leaders, you cannot be successful in your efforts. In relation to my business class, without the buy-in and support of your local community, you cannot be successful in your business.
Hi Dennis,
I followed you fully! I love your phrase!
Patricia
Hello Dennis,
We are EDUTAINERS!
Patricia
Hi John,
You're safe because you are not monotone. Voice variation makes a positive difference when teaching.
Patricia
One thing about tone of voice, I don't want to put anyone to sleep while talking, so I vary my speech rate, volume (I'm not yelling) higher or lower. Just by this and other simple speech/tone of voice changes can make a big difference (not only for the students, but for me too).
In person I get animated for the students as well. There's a old saying that teaching is 20% information and 80% theater.
Currently I teach on-line so the challenge is to bring the animation to that environment. I'm currently using voice recording and graphic announcements to help provide some of that.
You have to be excited about the course - even when you aren't. We like some topics better than others, get tired of a course if we have taught it too frequently recently. We might have to make a point of getting our energy up. I have a note card with the phrase "Fake it 'till you make it" that I'll use as a reminder to increase my energy level.
Hello Terri,
What type of things have you learned that excite students?
Patricia
I am always excited because the culinary field. I try to make it fun and do a few interactive things in one class and the other I just walk around giving encouragement. I think the one class only calls for me or at least it seems like it. But a care about the students actually learning from my exictement and interaction.
