The instructor who is fair and caring, by reaching to students to encourage and motivate is fully aware that student retention is a factor in determining success of a course.

As an instructor, you must have a full awareness of the types of learners in your classroom settings.You have to consider their ages, backgrounds, prior knowledge of the subject matter and anything else that would assist the instructor in determining how best to provide extrinsic help and support for the students.

As a nursing instructor -- my students range from 23 to 50+. Many struggle with the iPad that they are issued for the course. All homework and books are on this. I found that students who are very tech savvy find great pride and are glad to assist those who are not so savvy. It builds class camaraderie too.

I love the idea of the Pair-Think-Share. I see the benefits of empowering them to discuss with their peers without the intimidation of presenting their ideas directly to me or the entire class. My classes are often between 4 and 8 students though, do you think there is a way to adapt this to work? It seems futile to break up 4 students into 2 groups to discuss. Would it be better to ask them to discuss it amongst themselves before reporting to me?

I have great success when I give out structed outlines of the course the first day of class plus give an overview of what is expected in the class. I have organized lectures every class period for about 15 minutes than have an exercise for the students to do to reinforce the lecture.Sometimes we have discussion sessions led by me.

I believe the first day of class is the most important day in terms of setting the tone. As this course mentions, the importance of greeting the students, giving an intro of yourself and allowing for introductions of who they are seems to break the ice. I also have found giving students an intro of what they will be learning throughout my term and how it will be applied in their chosen career field on the first day of class gives my lectures meaning and importance. The students mentality changes from this being a required course for them to finish to instead one of which they will need to do their job.

I like to throw in curve balls to encourage class participation. If students aren't participating, I like to hit them with a question that I know appeals to something they are very interested in and tie that in to the lesson. I also like to set up various scenarios that have no clear, definite answer just to get them in a critical thinking mindframe.

motivating a student who wants to learn is easy. but trying to motivate a student who is not willing to put in time and effort into education is a challenge. I have always said that "they did not want to like me but they did". you have to get into their brains and find out what makes them want to be there in the first place. help them figure out what is important in their life.

you have to put the power of learning in the students hands. take what they know already and add to it. give them a chance to pick out snapshots of their own lives and put it in the lesson. you will be amazed how fast student pick up new information.

I have found that having an exciting classroom will not only increase your classroom retention rates but increase your overall grades because the students want to come to class and learn.

teaching adult learners to me is easier than the young. the adult learners do bring in their experiences from life into the classroom and not only helps them but the entire class.

The key to long term success in the class room is motivating students. My methods of motivation is relating the assignments and tasks my students undertake in the classroom to real life applications in their chosen profession

I like the video's on this course, there was a lot that I have learned from them.

This is a great course to be able to learn on some of the different ways to motivate your students. Great course.

This class was extremely informative for me as an instructor. It shed some light on a situation I am in currently with a student. I teach in a clinical setting and a student who I view as very promising and knowledgeable, wants to quit our program. She feels like she is not able to complete certain tasks that are required. In truth, she is behind on her requirements, but as her instructor I believe she has the skills to complete her requirements and even excel in the program. This can be very frustrating for instructors, as we all work with students who are not knowledgeable or have skills, to see the ones that do have the ability, not succeed. This issue would also link to motivation; at this point I think the only motivation for this particular student is extrinsic (getting a job). I think I will try to find more extrinsic motivators for this student in hopes she will develop intrinsic motivation to stay with the program.

Great course learned allot from it.

Depending on the students ambition or desire to learn it can be a easy task to get people going. The non self motivators are the tricky part. They will be the mystery learning .

That seems like the best one for me when i hit my peak for the day.

In my experience student like to know the instructor has faith in them to complete what ever task they need to .

This course was a great advice on getting and keeping great retention.