Teaching electronics in the automotive industry makes it easy to show the relevance of the course. Students generally accept the fact that they need to know electronics. The motivation comes from showing excitement for the material and demonstrating that it is not difficult. Their assumption from the beginning is that electronics is something that they do not like because they have no understanding and may start out with a lot of hesitation because they “know” it is going to be very hard to learn. Walking thru simple steps and taking something that they may initially find difficult but breaking it down to were they are realizing that this electrical “stuff” is not a big deal.
I try to motivate my students buy showing to them that this information I am about to explain or the example I am going to demostrate is neccessary for them learn to be able to be successful in the real world job inviroment.
i give my students the opportunity to demonstate what they have learned in a couple ways. 1. By completing a hands-on exercise and 2. By making a presentation to the class about what they know.
First i ask what makes them happy. where do they see themself in 2 years.I find the subject they might be weak in and help them be better at that subject I show a lot of my passion for this feild and i know that helps them stay motaveted. It seems to me if people see you happy and succesful they want what you want
I get students to particepate in the powerpoint presentation by giving each group a component to look up and give prsentation to class on everything they find out about that component. On Diagnostics I give them excercises with different performance test readings and let them try to figure out the problem and correction to fix the A/C
I use examples of how learning the information can help them have the ability to make more money.Using other students and there axperiences that they have had both in and out of the field works well because the students often look at them as peers and sometimes listen more closely.
Hi William,
You make a good point concerning the use of peers to help with student motivation. I use former students to come and talk with students about their experiences and successes. This really get the student excited about their futures.
Gary
I relate my own experieces of the real world in automatic transmissions. A lot of the students only see value in how manual transmissions work and feel that they will never really need to repair an automatic transmission. By making them aware of the fact that most engine related problems lead to customer complaints of automatic transmission shifting and if they have no skill in this area they will be loosing half of their engine work repairs seems to get them very motivated.
By giving them something to diagnos either in the class or lab and having them use the knowledge of what they have learned. By completing the task they feel more confident and have more motivation as they have less of a fear factor.
In electronics class that I teach the first week is the hard to get the student motivated be cause of it being theory. I spend time at the start and have the students write down any electrical issues that the student has seen or has then use them as I go through the first week and all the way through the course. Then have the student look up how much the student would have made out in the automotive filed. As well give the student a very “good job” at the end.
This is a complex area and appears to be hard work. If you concentrate on the aspects of attempting retention you will probably find you may not succeed. This area needs to be almost automatic and part of the delivery in the classroom and lab. You need to remain focused on what the subject matter is and its total content as well as raising the bar higher to achieve best results. Expansion of concepts and techniques is necessary for advanced learning. Insist on the students writing the process and using the information to achieve a diagnostic evaluation. You will have to make this a substantial part of the grade. I use these techniques in my classes will good results.
I always try to show excitement for the subject matter. I think they feel if I don't care then they may not care either. I use many personal stories from myself or others I know, especially ones with some humor in them. This keeps them interested and listening.
I also relate what I am talking about directly to profit potential, explaining how they can be quick and efficient and flag much more time than they actually work.
Hi Jeff,
This is what "making it real" is all about. By showing students how they can be successful in the workplace while making a good income is a powerful motivator.
Gary
Your own life experience help and trying to give them an insite to what is going to be inspected of them also that they will make errors but use it as a learning experience an not a failure.As they grow with more field work they will be the person answering those question at one time may have thought to be difficult
I like to motivate the students about the Diesel Industry that is never ending posibilities for career advancement,also I motivate them with electronics bieng what the Dealers are looking for and will pay more for great diagnostic people.
I think that the main way that I motivate students is with my confidence as a diesel technician. By showing them that I have comfidence in my abilities, it motivates them to pay closer attention in class, and to try to use the things that we teach them. After all, they have come to our school to be what we are.You can talk all that you want to, but the proof is in the pudding. Walk the walk. If you cannot use what you are teaching them, why would they want to try harder. But if you can show them that what you are teaching will in fact help them, becuase it helps you, that will really motivate them.
I like to share examples of how what is being taught by this material has helped me to be better in my career. By demonstrating that there are real benefits to them student are motivated to master the skill. Creating a task that allows students to use the skill and be successful creates a desire to learn more.
i like to motivate my students as a whole class
by gathering there thoughts about what they want to do in life.Then maybe discuss some of the things I have been able to do because of my goals in life and reasure them that anything is possible if they put there minds and heart into what there passion is.
I point out to them that they are here in school because they seek a better life..ie more money !
Reinforce that this is a short term deal compared to the years that they will earn a good income.
Hi Steve. I like to be into what I am teaching,this way I can give real life experiances which brings out what can happen if a student stays focused.
