student motivation
How do you motivate a student who doesn't want to be in class?
Hi Scott,
If you emulate these fine instructors that you just gave great charateristics of, then you too are a fine instructor.
Patricia Scales
I agree with James that laughter is great tool in teaching. My favorite professors in school were ones with a sense of humor and were excited about teaching and enthusiastic about the subject matter, and cared about the students.
Hi ELIZABETH,
Continue to try to give your students your all. Some students are a challenge to motivate, but we must be their biggest cheerleader.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mike
In order to find a solution, I would in private try to find out why the student does not want to be in class. There is always a solution to every problem, and once I get to the bottom of it, I can then apply every means and even go the extra mile to help the student.
Well, Mike, I have a rather unusual technique. I use laughter a lot to motivate them. But, first I tell them that the class is required, which my class is. I'm not sure if yours is. Anyway, I give examples of how other students have done in the past, good and bad, and I give examples of my own performance in the class, when I had to take it, good and bad. This causes a great deal of laughter to break the ice. Some students volunteer stories of similar experiences they had, and everyone starts getting interested. Of course, I have to do this many times in various ways, but eventually, all the students are on board with the experience of attempting to successfully pass with enthusiastic participation. Laughter is a powerful motivator when used positively.
Hi Mike,
It is extremely hard to motivate students who do not want to be there. You just have to do the best that you can to encourage the student.
Patricia Scales
