I teach in a wheel format, so the first day of a new course that has new students, we first do an introduction to break the ice. Then I ask the experienced students to demo some hands on skills for the new students, then get the new students involved in a basic skill that will advance them to the skill the experienced students are demonstrating.
Hi Tracy,
I concur! Students get really interested/excited when we relate learning to the real world.
Patricia Scales
I think that relating the course to real life situations helps to get students excited. Especially if it's in their profession of interest.
Hi Rose,
Excitement starts at the top with the instructor!
Patricia Scales
Hi Lukas,
It is the nature of the course where being witted and humorous will show insensitivity. Focus on being thorough with you teaching in these type courses; not much humor should be displayed here.
Patricia Scales
A way to get students excited about a course is to let them know how much of good purpose it will have for you in the future. How you will benefit from taking the course is always a way of encouragement.
I Feel if I show motivation and excitement about the course and teaching the subject to them they are more eager to learn the subject. If you teach with a positive attitude they will stay engaged. One negative connotation can change the outcome of your student involvement.
I think that when the student sees your enthusiam and excitement towards the material being given, they will become interested in what you are trying to relay. Also, by having them have goals for themselves for the course, I think this is very helpful as well.
Hi Dawn,
Students really enjoy hearing about real world experience. This is an awesome way to generate excitement.
Patricia Scales
I agree that one's personal enthusiasm for the subject matter invariably shines through. By and large, I'd say I'm very enthusiastic about what I teach; I very much enjoy biochemistry and pharmacology, and get positive responses from my students. However, I always hit a roadblock when teaching Oncology/Chemotherapy and HIV/Antivirals; how excited can you be about such morbid and thoroughly depressing material? It's difficult to be my usual, sharp witted and humorous self when the subject matter is literally, wasting and death. Any thoughts on bringing light to very dark content?
Being new to the career of college education, I tend to get the students excited about learning by using real life examples. If they can tie in the course content to a real life medical situation it helps them see the big picture. They become engaged and so far this is really working for me. I have had several students ask for more "real life" examples they can use their critical thinking skills on.
Hi Nancy,
Great ways to generate excitement. I am sure you have your students try the hands-on procedural labs as well.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kate,
I can tell based on your response, you have a lot of excitement for what you do. Keep the excitement going!
Patricia Scales
Hi Eduard,
First of all as the instructor it helps when you are excited about the course so that the excitement rubs off to your students.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kisha,
I like your outlook here to help the students keep their excitement along the ride until they reach their destination and double excitement comes once the destination is reached.
Patricia Scales
When teaching medical assistants I have found that they love hearing stories regarding my life experiences. Also, since we have two hours of labs every day I will show them the equipment they will be using, go over some of the tests, and if time permits I usually will demonstrate one or two of the tests.
We teach medical assistants and I have found that they love to hear life experiences that we have obtained in the field. Since we have labs every day I like to show them the equipment they will be using and explain the reason behind the tests. If time permits, I usually will demonstrate one or two of the labs.
I love the field I work in and it is very apparent that my energy and excitement for our field is contagious and easily transferred to the students. I love to tell real stories to the students that emphasize the point I am stressing in a lesson.
I make sure I convey MY sense of excitement about the course and share successful examples with them.
It's hard to consider some "methods". I would use some other words like "approaches, steps, interpretations". Most of the time it's about sharing instructor's view about the place of the new course knowledge and skills will take in my students well being on job
