I use several differant way's to motivate my students, first I try to get them involved in the lectures by having them think of what is being explored. Then we may go out to lab and experience the working model.
I also try to use a positive attitude and truly have Passion for what I am teaching..
When a student is in a lab situation for several hours on end, it can become boring at times to them. What I try to encourage to my students is to try different ways of doing things for the same end result. There are many ways to accomplish a goal, and what works best for one person, doesn't necessarily work best for others. I feel that is my job, to present them with several different avenues to acheive a common goal. When the student becomes confused with the pattern we started with, they want to try something different. I am there to show them how to make a different choice, and let them decide if their way is better, or if the original methods were better.
Good point Ken. I also like to find out how students are picking up information by questions befor a segment, during, and after. also by pop quizing them visualy (parts association).
I do the same thing. I try to show why this particular piece of knowledge is useful or how it applies to their career path, how it can keep them out of trouble in the future, help diagnose or analyse a problem and finally how this new skill will contribute to making money out there in the real world!
Hi Richard,
With motivation opportunities being provided and your excitement about the field I know your students are going to be engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Hi Kenny,
Good strategy for getting the students involved in the learning process.
Gary
Hi Harry,
First learn and then share with others. A good method of helping students retain and apply what they are learning.
Gary
Hi Ray,
Thanks for sharing several good ideas that other instructors can use in their classrooms.
Gary
well i like to make a competition out of some of the like having the students have a and reassmbleing differnt components in a timed manner winner gets an extra point or something
Sometimes I have students in Pit Crew that have a very hard time doing certain tasks but I still encourage them to do their best. As long as they work hard and do their best that's all I can ask for.
During essentially an all day scenerio, the students need changes in subject material, even if it is just slightly. Some times, just having them rotate from different aspects or angles of the learning objective. Different states such as hands on, the switch over to the learner verbally talking out the task for another student to listen and follow the instructions. Another student could at the same time, take notes to have to explain in a different way.
My biggest asset as an educator is the ability to be flexible. Just as students have different attitudes of their life's situations every day, I need to recognise this and adjust my delivery to meet this and not allow students to get bored with a particular "pattern" of teaching. Their are no two days with the same "MO".
I too like to use competition as a meens to keep students motivated. This makes the lab fun for the students, and for myself too.
Most of the time my students enjoy real world cases that are related to there lab projects I encourage them to come up with a differant solution than I came up with for the same project or problem.
Along the same lines as that. I encourage my students by ,when presented with a problem.That its not a problem ,its a opportunitiey.
Myself as a Instructor, I find myself maybe setting standards a little too high. But we always seem to find ways to keep students involved. I believe if everyone is enjoying the class, they are more likely to relax and soak up the infromation at hand. This really helps keep me involved in the class and allows me to be able to read class.
Agree on being flexable.I am constantly re-adjusting things.
Hi Warren,
Good point. Students need to see relevancy and application in their learning.
Gary
Hi Warren,
With your approach your students are still involved in the learning process and this helps them to catch "fire" and grow with the class and the content.
Gary
Hi Carroll,
That is the challenge and the reward of being an instructor. The constant change that occurs each and every day you are in class. Thanks for your comments.
Gary
