Are these things mutually exclusive? How do you handle acceptance, interest and motivation in the classroom?
I agree that acceptance is important but today I feel with higher education students interest is a big factor. Earlier students did not need motivation because discipline kept them in school and students wanted an education to succeed in their careers. Today students want to feel that acceptance and need to be interested in the education.
Impressive. How much time do you spend individually with each student? Are you able to meet each one each week? What do you talk about? Is it limited to the course material or do you get involved with other topics?
I have found that with students they want to be challenged. In my software classes I sit down with each student individually at the end of the week to test there knowledge of the software one on one. I teach at a career college and they seem to need that little each support to make it seem as though they are getting there moneys worth.
Have you ever asked students to provide their vision of the future as a classroom assignment? If this is done early in the course, it could be re-visited when the students near graduation to see if they have clarified their goals.
A good support system is important to help the student stay focused on the classes. Usually, by the middle of the semester they are dragging. Another thing that I sometimes use when I see interest beginning to wane is to ask them what will happen in five years or one year if they do not complete what they started. This question sometimes motivates them to stay with it because they know that the hamburger flipping life is not for them. Some of them may be doing just that at the time that they are in school, and they know that they cannot continue like that for very long and get too far in their life. I try to keep what is important to THEM in front of them to help boost motivation.
What does this concept mean for the way you operate your classroom or the school?
What are the elements of a good support system, Martha? How do you foster a sense of belonging?
I believe a student is motivated by a good support system of structors and staff. If the student feels that he belongs he is more likely to feel motivated.
that is the key to retention, and is usually an internal motivation that is very individual for each students.
How do you know when you are challenging a student? How do you measure success?
I totally agree. The greatest motivating is overcoming a challenge. If we consistently chanllenge our students and they succeed, they are motivated to continue.
Motivation is different for every student. It is difficult to say that one particular thing motivates students. One student could be motivate by a very energitic instructor while another student may be motivated by an instructor who uses powerpoint presentations and visuals. Each student is motivated by something different. A good insturctor will find what the motivating factor for each studetn is and bring a little of that into each class.
For many students, those 'less than thrilling' courses are the gen ed ones. Does your school have a plan to tie these courses to the main subject area? Do you have a way of identifying the courses that fit this category? If so, what happens after a course if identified?
I am fully behind the "eye on the prize" perspective! When you have a degree plan and you must take courses that you are less than thrilled to be taking it helps to keep in mind the ultimate goal in which you are trying to achieve.
The prize at the end is a powerful motivator. How do you use to keep your students focused on the ultimate goal?
I find that reminding students of their ultimate goal - keeping their "eye on the prize" - is very beneficial to keep motivation levels up.
Managing challenges is a central part of the educational process. Something that challenges one group of students may be over the head or beneath others in the same class. How do you manage the process?
I believe that students are motivated by different factors one being maintaining interest in course subject matter by participating in a challenging and engaging curriculum. On a daily basis, the student should feel a sense of accomplishment and should look forward to the following day with as much enthusiasm as the prior.
I feel the students will be motivated if they feel accepted by other students and by the instructor. By keeping the class interesting and challenging
