Motivating your students
I have found that when I share personal stories, pertaining that the field in which I teach in, really motivates my students. Being a chef instructor, I truely enjoy telling my students of both the victories and failures that I have experienced; it's almost like sharing war stories. They become very motivated when they begin to place themselves in my shoes, then we all discuss on what I could have done differently. Thoughts???
-Gabriel
Gabriel,
Students really like and appreciate stories and examples from the field. You have experienced what they are preparing to do so when you share a story or example you are making your content come alive for your students. You increase the value they are getting from the course by showing them the relevancy of what you are telling them plus giving examples to support it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students love to hear my life-experiences in the chosen career, they see thru my eyes before they become part of medical environment.
Norma,
I am sure they do enjoy your stories. You are helping them to see how they will use what they are learning in their own careers. That increases the ROI of the course for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Using life experiences in your teaching also shows a more personal side of you that I think helps make a connection better between student and instructor. This in turn helps motivate the class.
David,
The more stories from the field and your own experiences you can share the better. By sharing these stories you increase the value of the content to the students while increasing their investment in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find the best way to motivate my students, especially towards the end of the term, is to share personal stories of myself in the work field. Whether it would be touching someone's life, having a positive impact on them or just a funny story about a particular interaction. I think it gets them excited to have that experience themselves. This helps them push through to the end.
Nicole,
Students as you know love stories like this. Sharing them shows your students that they will be able to interact with their field in such a way before long. The motivation level for the students increases because as you say they start to see themselves in similar settings because they are close to finishing their program.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Motivating students by sharing your own successes and failures encourage students by showing them that by even failing you are learning. Success comes sometimes from trail and error. And everyone is going to experience it one time or another and it is not a means to give up and quit.
Rose,
Sharing these stories and experiences really perk students up. They get to see how what is being taught can be applied in the field. The value of the course content goes up as a result of these stories.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
