Hi Matt,
Absolutely! Students develop more of a keen interest in a course if they know how the course is going to benefit them in their career.
Patricia Scales
Totally! especisally with tech school folks...they have to know that the work theyre putting in is going to help them once theyre in the field.
Hi Norman,
Wow, what an impressive amount of experience. I am sure you are an excellent role model for your students. Your students need to feel extremely priviledged to have you as their instructor.
Patricia Scales
Hi Doug,
When students keep coming back to you for advice, help, and encouragement, they fully respect you and value your opinion highly.
Patricia Scales
I use my 40 years of experience to influence my students what they can do if they study hard and use the knowledge they got from the course to use in the real world
I actually do!
Often I have them for their first class or two, but they come back for tips, advice, help or whatever the entire length of their program.
Not a bad thing!
Hi Doug,
I am sure with this tactic you hook a lot of students. You do a fine job of showing course relevancy as well.
Patricia Scales
I often teach basic computer skills and this is a tough course to get students excited about. They either 'already know everything about computers' because they have a Facebook page, or they cannot understand why they need to know how to use a computer based on the field they go into.
When I cover my syllabus and class expectations I like to add some humor to this. Not a 'dont take me serious' approach, but more of an ice breaker.
Following the Syllabus I like to introduce them to something they usually like which is the internet. There are many things involved in this initial lecture that allows them to interact with me and their classmates and also a wide range of real world examples that are both serious and/or fun that excites them or makes them want to be involved in the topic
After this I know if I have them hooked on my style or if they are going to need more work!
Thank you,
Doug
We have a lot of hands on training. I teach a solar class and allow the students to install a working system and when they see the results they anticipate the next class.
I try to get students excited about the course during the first day we meet. I explain how the course can be used in their career of study. I also explain how information they learn in my courses (I teach I.T. courses) can also be used in their personal lives. When students see the practical use of a class, they often become more excited and motivated.
I think that students have to be able to see, touch and in a sense feel what they are part of. This stimulates them to want to be a part, and want to do the best that they can.
Hi Stephanie,
Great response! Small successes help students keep their eyes on the prize!
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
Students love it when they can apply the theory learned; hands-on activities are always big with students. They get excited to do something.
Patricia Scales
Hi Betty,
Awesome speil to use to keep students motivated.
Patricia Scales
Hi Linda,
Group work and hands-on activities work well also.
Patricia Scales
I am involved in the hands on portion of their education. In the beginning it is important to be safe. The next step is to besafe and provide appropriate treatment.
Dental Hygiene is a hands on practise. The more you practise ,the better your outcome. One must find the positive and build upon it. It may be working on a typodont at home or a role play scenario to help the student reach success. I encourage being prepared as it mimics real life.
When they can see results of those who have prepared it helps to motivate others.
Small successes work
While I hilight the relevancy of each class in our modular curriculum, the students always show more enthusiasm for the lab classes (ie. Deep Tissue Massage) than for the didactic classes (ie. Pathology). Scheduling in some hands-on lab time into the didactic curriculum keeps both their minds and hand skills sharper.
On the first day of class, I like to go over the syllabus and explain to my students how they will be different at the end of the course. I talk about the relevancy of the course to the completion of their education and to their career. As the course progresses, I continue to reinforce their learning to their future career.
I use real life scenarios from my work experience in the field. I try to make them relevant to what the lecture is about and why they need to learn the topic to help in the situation. I have trouble sometimes keeping them engaged for the entire class time. I mix it up with power point slides or videos and activities. Any other suggestions?
Hi Erica,
You will be suprise that junvenile tactics work well with our type of students. Try what you have been doing, and I am sure it will be just as effective.
Patricia Scales
