I don't know that I havev ever stopped and thought about this before, and I am a little afraid that I am guilty (as a teacher) of the things that have demotivated me (as a student) in the past.
I think the biggest thing that motivates me is being taken seriously. When a teacher takes the subject matter as well as the student seriously, even if that makes them tougher as a teacher, that motivates me. It motivates me when a teacher is passionate and no-nonsense. Two of my favorite professors at Ozark were known for being two of the hardest professors. They were passionate, knowledgeable and demanded much of themselves as well as their students; and most of us didn't mind working hard for them.
When a teacher makes decisions arbitrarily (seemingly so anyway) that is very demotivating. I had a teacher at Ozark that gave us a clear syllabus at the beginning of the semester with a clear list of assignments. A couple of weeks in he (arbitrarily, in my view) threw another assignment on a Tuesday that was due on Thursday. At the age of 18 as a sophomore in college, I was working about 24 hours a week all on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and I felt like he didn't take us seriously. I don't remember what the assignment was and maybe it was something that we really needed to do that he neglected to put it in the syllabus, but it had a very demotivating effect.
I must agree with you--I am ashamed to say that I have also done things in my teaching that once demotivated me as a student!
In response to your professor at Ozark who changed the syllabus last-minute, I believe that your experience would be very demotivating (it almost seems as if your professor did not plan well for the class).
Careful lesson planning helps to encourage motivation in students.
I don't know that I havev ever stopped and thought about this before, and I am a little afraid that I am guilty (as a teacher) of the things that have demotivated me (as a student) in the past.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest thing that motivates me is being taken seriously. When a teacher takes the subject matter as well as the student seriously, even if that makes them tougher as a teacher, that motivates me. It motivates me when a teacher is passionate and no-nonsense. Two of my favorite professors at Ozark were known for being two of the hardest professors. They were passionate, knowledgeable and demanded much of themselves as well as their students; and most of us didn't mind working hard for them.
When a teacher makes decisions arbitrarily (seemingly so anyway) that is very demotivating. I had a teacher at Ozark that gave us a clear syllabus at the beginning of the semester with a clear list of assignments. A couple of weeks in he (arbitrarily, in my view) threw another assignment on a Tuesday that was due on Thursday. At the age of 18 as a sophomore in college, I was working about 24 hours a week all on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and I felt like he didn't take us seriously. I don't remember what the assignment was and maybe it was something that we really needed to do that he neglected to put it in the syllabus, but it had a very demotivating effect.
I must agree with you--I am ashamed to say that I have also done things in my teaching that once demotivated me as a student!
ReplyDeleteIn response to your professor at Ozark who changed the syllabus last-minute, I believe that your experience would be very demotivating (it almost seems as if your professor did not plan well for the class).
Careful lesson planning helps to encourage motivation in students.