Get Your Students Hired
What a great question! Instructor enthisiasm is very important. However, the instructor must also practice self-care in order to provide and maintain a positive enviroment.
This is so true! I love to share my excitement with my students through stories from the hospital, as well as advancements in medicine.@kgigliotti
Enthusiasm can be hard to maintain if the class begins with students who feel they should "be given the answers". These present a particular challenge in promoting intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. This came as a surprise since these are adult learners. Hoever optimism and enthusiasm go a long way!
@gmeers Instructor enthusiasm has a great deal of influence on the students. I know that when I am enthusiastic about a particualr subject I can tell that my students are more interested in learning that subject. most of the topics I teach I am enthusiastic about because it is motorcycle repair but everyone has those days where they might not have gotten enough sleep or are feeling under the weather and their enthusuaism isnt quiter there and the interest of the students falls off.
Andy
When the instructor has enthusiasm in the classroom, students can feel more at ease and be more inclind to interact and retain what is being said. It will also allow students to interject more and not be afraid if the answer or comment is not correct when the instructor corrects them. also like Daisy stated if they are having a bad day or came from a class they did poorly in coming to your class lifts them up because they know they will be made to feel good about themselves.
Christina
@gmeers
An instructor that is not enthusiastic will squash intrinsic motivation and the likely extrinsic motivation for the resuting non engaged students will be the time at which the class ends and they can leave. The instructors enthusiasm on the subject motivates the student through engagement and instilling the desire to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Each class you teach will influence whether your students will be one step closer to success or closer to quitting. It is amazing how many students are on the fence. You can’t tell someone to be enthusiastic but you do not act productively until you influence them.
There is a need to set faculty mind that each class thought is the most important class they will ever teach.
In addition to maintaining enthusiasm throughout a course or a class period, I have found that it also helps in one-on-one interactions. I help teach English as part of my MA program, and my students are refugees/asylees new to the US. In the low-basic level class I assist, the students often struggle to understand full explanations in English, much less monotone, unenthusiastic, or directive one-on-one explanations. When I incorporate enthusiasm, upbeat attitudes, and even acting (i.e. to demonstrate "happy" or "fast" or "singing") the students appreciate it and they have something additional by which to remember the word or concept.
Carey
Education is a great tool! It gives back from what I have taken through life. I feel that making learning fun is also a great tool. I will be straight forward when needed. but a little fun never hurt no one!
An enthusiastic instructor increases the enthusiasm and engagement of the students by increasing the energy level of the classroom environment as well as demonstrating a connection to the course material.
The instructor's level of enthusiasm can be a strong motivator and energize students; just as a lack of enthusiasm can turn students off or even make them question if this class is worth their time and effort. As the lesson stated, "if the instructor doesn't seem to care, why should the student?". By teachers sharing their passion for learning, showing excitement in their delivery, demonstrating a fair and caring attitude in the classroom I've seen students more engaged, actively participating, and truly enjoying their classroom experiences.
I think Instructor enthusiasm is huge if you don't display that in class you might as well put on an audio book. enthusiasm puts a visual exclamation point where needed
Enthusiasm seen in an instructor by students gives them relevance to the subject studied. When the students see the instructor passionate about the subject it reflects on their achievements.
Instructor enthusiasm definitely has a positive impact on student retention. If a student can see how passionate or excited an instructor is about a subject, it may spark more passion or excitement into that student. It also makes a class more fun and makes students want to engage more in that class.
I Feel enthusiasm is important, but is only a part of the puzzle to piece together a good classroom environment. Professionalism, participation, respect, and desire by instructors and students is equally important.
I think the simple answer to this question is that if the instructor feels that the class is a waste of his/her time and doesn't want to be there, why should the students feel any different? However, if the instructor wants to be there and has a passion for their subject, that passion is felt by the students and they are more likely to enjoy the course and find value in it.
Sarah,
I support your point about instructor passion for his or her field as well as enthusiasm for teaching about it. The more these two are brought to the class the more excitement there will be in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructor enthusiasm can make the classroom material exciting to the student, making them want to be involved in the learning process. The lack of enthusiasm will be looked at as “if the instructor is bored with the material why should I want or need to learn it.†This will lead to the student second guessing his decision to attend school.
In regards to student retention, I feel very strongly that instructor enthusiasm is paramount.
I love what I do. I am passionate not only about teaching but also about my subject matter, specifically because I believe that the subject I teach can have a profound impact on my students lives.
Also, I am an adjunct who teaches early morning classes. These classes are often full of students who work multiple jobs and are quite tired. If I do not show up enthusiastic about the subject and about teaching my students, it is going to be a long, hard class.