Motivating Students
Students will remember how you treated them as much as what you taught them. You have to be flexible with adult learners and give them extra time on assignments if they need it. You must call students if they continue to lag behind. Students often ignore emails and there is the possibility for miscommunication in cyberspace. Therefore, it is vitally important that students know where they stand grade wise at every juncture of the semester. There should be no surprises. I try to be an academic cheerleader for my students and keep them motivated at every point of the semester. The term is far too short for negativity and it will not get you anywhere. Sometimes students might not want to hear what you have to say, but you have to be honest with them and tell them the truth. Time is of the essence and therefore you must be both firm and flexible with students who are lagging behind. I was a working student for all of my college life and thus I understand more than most the challenges my students face in balancing and juggling school, work and life. What techniques do you guys use to motivate your students to stay on point and on task?
Hi Jean,
Examples are very motiviating to students. It also sounds like you have a lot of practical experience to share with your students as well from having a practice.
Patricia Scales
I like to use examples from my practice. I think they illustrate points I am trying to make and are interesting to the students. They help students remember the points.
