This can be challenging with a math course, since it does not directly relate to the program they are in. Also, some students hate the subject and just don't want to be there. Add to that the students who already know most of it, but just didn't take the placement test seriously.
This is what I can do... I can show some applications for the specific programs that the students are in. I can provide challenge activities to the students who already know the material. I do use a decent sense of humor, but I can use puzzles and games as a review or guided practice.
I teach A&P and what seems to excite the students is discussing why A&P is important to them and all of the awesome topics that we get to learn about. Once I am able to relate my course content to them they have seemed to take more ownership in learning and are more involved in class discussions.
Hi Henry,
Students generate great excitement when they understand what they are learning can be utilized in the real world.
Patricia
Some methods I use to get students excited about my course content is to incorporate learning activities such as medical term bingo game,medical term Jeopardy game,who Am I question games. Students are put in groups for these games collaborate with each other for the answer. The winning group gets a prize.
I explain to them how important it is to learn it. I also show them how fun it is to apply what we learn in class in the real world.
1.) List ways that students can apply what they learn in the course to there field.
2.) Layout how the class is going to go. What days we will be covering certain topics.
3.) Startout with a discussion about what questions they would like to see answered throughout the course.
Students get excited about the course and its contents when they see their instructor enthusiastic and excited about the course. The instructor should be good at playing the role of a salesperson and be enthusiastic about the course letting the students know clearly the objectives of learning various topics in the course and the practical application of the topics in their respective fields.
Hi Joyce,
I agree! Excitement begins at the top with the instructor and then it acts as a trickle effect to the students. Students can tell immediately if you enjoy what you are teaching or not. Let's keep the classroom and subject matter upbeat and fun.
Patricia
Getting the students excited about the course should begin first with the instructor being excited about the subject being taught. Usually with the excitement of the instructor will spill over into the class and get the students motivated to want to know more about the subject being taught. Most students want to have excitement and enjoyment and interaction in the subject being taught.
Motivating relevant short videos which encapsulate the course and the components within are a great way to "grab" the students' attention. You must use caution, and ensure the videos are in fact motivating, and are relevant to the course. We have all experienced videos that were either not relevant, outdated, slow and boring, or worse yet, all of the above. Thanks
To get students excited about the course content I simply show them how the course can benefit them. I also talk about up-todate topics that they can relate to to keep them engaged. Finally, I bring alot of real world examples to the classroom.
KT
I have tried many methods to get my students excited about class. However, I have found that when I make real life connections to the course content my students surprisingly respond.
Hi Sara,
I like your ways of keep your students excited! You made me excited just from reading your response! See, excitement is contagious! :-)
Patricia
Hi April,
Students enjoying hearing about our credentails. They like to know that they are being taught by someone who is well qualified.
Patricia
As a former English and Literature instructor, I have had to work extra hard at creating excitement about the subject matter, especially at a career college. First and foremost, I am enthusiastic about the subject I am teaching - enthusiam can spread! Second, I make sure each student knows how this subject can help them in their future careers. I let them know how it will play a part in helping them on the job. Third, I make sure I have exciting and engaging lesson plans to keep them coming back for more. In literature, I also try to break the stereotypes of literature being just a bunch of stories from old, dead guys. I bring a variety of books that interest me from magazines to surfing instruction books. Hopefully, this will help them see that there is more to reading then what they learned in high school.
I agree with you also. If an instructor isn't excited about the material. The students will respond the same way. I just try to make things fun and talk about examples of the many different avenues you can take after graduation. There are so many varieties of jobs out there that need MA skills. Some the students probably haven't thought of. Breaking them into groups to discuss topics like this help them brainstorm about all the possibilities open to them. A lot of students say they had no idea they could fit in this role or that and hadn't applied it to the medical field. It can be an eyeopener for them and a motivator.
When the students come into my class they seem to be a little confused as to why they are there since Medical assisting begins at the administrative end first as opposed to going right into patient care. At first they don't see the relevance or the importance of front office and how it applies to them. They walk into a room full of computers, coding books and lectures dealing with correspondence. The class is full of students ranging from 18 to 56 and each group has a different attitude about computers in general. The young thinks it's about face book and twitter while the older student are forced to do more than occassional emails, games and remember how to type.
On top of everything else; they really did not understand the concept of excellerated learning. I have to not only get them excited about the course, but also make them believe they can and will be able to succeed.
After introducing myself and the hardships that brought me to how I began my journey as a medical assistant many years ago; I then help them to see the multiple directions they can go ... without limitations. I always include humor while I remind them of the power of believing in themselves. Everything then is reinforced by letting them know they can count on me for guidence throughout the course.
Hello Ms Scales,
I start off by giving the class a rundown of my background and how I decided to choose the profession that I'm currently in.
Also, letting the students know that I wasn't as proficient in the early stages of my career compared to now.
Hi Helen,
Excitement about the course begins with the instructor. Excitement is contagious; normally if the instructor has it, most of the students will get it.
Patricia
I try to show enthusiasm for the subject matter myself, accompanied by examples of why nurses need to know the content and several applications, and try to find some interesting video clips.
