Show the value!
Many students don't grasp the value of their learning experience! By giving them examples and role models, their confidence is increased and therefore their desire to stay in school and complete the course is solidified.
It is imperative to bring in Industry professionbals, alumni, students who are currently on externship and field trips. These types of activities brings real world experiences to the classroom. Motivation will increase when students who are currently working in the field back up what you are teaching/relating in the classroom.
Enthusiasm is an important part of the education process. Are some techniques you use to show how much you're into your discipline that you can share, Earl?
i feel that if you show you are truly in to the field or what you teach you can motavate the students that want to be there and spark some life in to the others.
Students need to be reminded why they enrolled and classroom learning and activities should be related to the work place. Set the expectations and treat the classroom as the employer.
Most students enroll with the idea of acquiring skills and changing their lives, but with so much negative news about the economy they probably have some concern about their prospects. Demonstrating a positive outcome is a great way to encourage them.
Showing the Vaule means alot to current students and prospects! Recently we conducted a hiring seminar at our school and had prior quraduates show up as speakers! The companies represented were happy, the graduates were proud and our students and prospects were excited about the opportunties that they have to look forward to.!
I take students on field trips and also discuss my experiences in the field.
The use of practical applications in the classroom is a very successful tool. I have found that sharing experiences with the students on the topic just discussed is a great tool in helping with understanding but be carful it is easy for this to get off topic and many will loose their thoughts and complain about story telling.
Mr. Whitley, I agree, there are dozens of stories from the racing sector that we can use as examples, this is a very good and identifiable way to get many points across to our students.
R. Touchette
I am passing the torch, I love this bussiness & need to be part of it.I let the students know that a good strong understanding of the basics is what they need to start. Vehicles change every year. If they know the basics ( therory & operation) & where to get the new information( resources) they will not fail. I also advise them when they do get out there and while there young to do all the hard work no other tech wants. If this hard work becomes easy imagine the rest. Also the dispatcher (Service Manager , Service consultants) will love it & take care of them.
Yes,in my class I, give example's of sucessful people that had a tough time getting where are.Nascar team owner Robert Yates started his carear in a engine shop and worked his way up the ladder of sucess.
I believe that if you can show the students what you have done in your past and how well you have done with your training you can inprove there want to learn more. As soon as they see that there is a very good chance to make a great life in the field they some times try harder.
What's the next step after identifying the underlying reason?
Ocassionally a student will respond negatively, but there is usually an underlying reason for it. It may be due to a growing dissinterest in there course of study(academic erosion) or a personal issue such as loss of employment or relationship problems that are not allowing them to focus on what is really important.
Sharing "tales of the trail" can humanize an instructor. Do you ever get any negative responses about sharing your experiences from students?
I tell them about some of my sucesses and fun times that occurred in the shop durring my years of service. I also share some of the less sucessful experiences. I make sure they understand that there were more good than bad and that the averages is what counts. We also talk about how the current course of study will apply in the field and how it will help them repair vehicles and make money. If you want them to listen, they must realize the relavence of the course material.
The true value is PASSION... if you are motivated by financial gain alone then the wall is that much hard if you hit it...in having passion for what you do the reward is the outcome...job well done...this tro me is the value
Many times in the past, I've had students look online with me at the computer to show them web pages and bulliten boards for job listings. Usually I can find one that shows how much they may expect to earn if they are successful upon graduation. Also, I try to show them what an employer would expect of them in the way of grades and attendance. Ifeel this give them insight as well as motivation.
Field trips are a good way for the students to see the real world and get a better grasp on whats going to be expected of them in this field. Also telling stories of your experiences during a class is okay but I feel that they would relate better to someone around their age, a past student in the field for instance.
