Motivation of Students
When my students are doing practical application for 8 hours how can I continually keep them motivated and on task?
Hi Erin,
This is a challenge that many instructors face. How to keep interest for long periods of time. When teaching courses such as this I have them work for a period of time, no more than 45 minutes on a certain application or effort, then I move them to something else. This lets them refocus their brains and energy to something else for a period of time. I blend content with activity so there is a change of pace. If possible introduce games into the practical application so the students work individually and in groups. This helps to keep the students focused as well.
Gary
I find that giving my students several choices in learning activities allows them to select the method in which they learn best as well as enjoy the most. (i.e.: crossword puzzle, definitions, multiple choice questions, flash cards, etc.)
Hi Beth,
You so well put it, variety is what keeps students engaged in the learning process. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I have found that I am able to contiually motivate my students for long periods of time by relating the subject matter to their experiences. When they are able to see how their learning can be applied in their personal or professional lives they are encouraged to stick with it.
As an instructor, I feel that it is very important to make connections with every student, because students that have this connection are likely to be more successful.
Perhaps you could break the practical task down in smaller parts. This will give the student a sense of satisfaction with each completion.
I have found that using "student teaching" helps to not only encourage the student to research the subject that they are covering, but it also gives them a sense of achievement. They are usually interested to share what they have learned as well as listen to what other have to share with them.
I agree with Gladys. Subjects that I was not too familar with once I started teaching them they made so much more sense to me. Useing students to aid in the learning process helps them in so many ways.
Hi Micheal,
By using mini-lectures (10-15 minutes) in length and then having an activity you allow the learners to take a mental break which allows them to come back into the learning cycle. This is a very effective way of keeping students engaged.
Gary
Hi Gladys,
Good approach. You get to use the expertise of your students this way.
Gary
Something that has helped me as an instructor is really trying to remember on a daily basis that every student has different motivational needs. Whereas some students are so motivated, it gives ME something to strive for, others need an incredible amount of motivation. How to have these students in one classroom is what makes me love teaching!
Hi Corinne,
Spoken like a true educator. Based upon your comments I often think we as educators of adults are still much like elementary school teachers, only the desks are bigger. Our students come into class with real needs for encouragement and support. We provide that while others just need us to point them in the right direction and let me go.
Well said!
Gary
When i see the need to keep them motivated I feel the need to change things up a little.maybe give them new tasks or more challanging ones.
Tim
Hi Tim,
Changing the pace of instruction and providing variety are all good strategies for keeping students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
If you are lecturing you should utilize small sections of movie clips ( discovery Net) to help reinforce content and breake up lecturing. You may at one point insert a short exercise like a bingo test.
Hi Harold,
Good strategies. Learners need a break in the learning sequence so they can approach the course content from another angle. You are providing just such opportunities.
Keep up the good work.
Gary
I keep my students motivated by showing real world applications that involve them making money with the info learned .
I will try to change things up. ask them questions and encorage them to ask questions. Come up with activities to get them to work as groups, or come up with an EL type game. Learning is easier and more interesting, plus they seem to retain more if they have fun.
Once we've done a couple of labs, I tell the students that someone in class will be doing the review for the different workstations. This helps them focus on the tasks at hand better than they may have otherwise. Having to explain it to others helps with their retention of the material.
The one project I like to do(knowing they don't know much about the subject matter)Is to understand there thought process by asking them a series of questions and have them write down there answers based on what they know or their thoughts on how it works. At this point there is no right or wrong answers. I will collect them up and hold them. After we go through the lecture as well as activties for that subject I will hand them back out to them and have them answer the questions again in there own words. This helps the students understand what they learned by hearing it and seeing it. And shows me that I have gotten the lesson across in a through manner. As well Having the students go through the lesson first, write questions about the subject they don't understand and use them as a question and answer session before the lesson. It tends to keep them interested in the questions and shortens up actual lecture time.
