Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Motivating students for mathematicsMeike Akveld
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
My case:
I Analysis I and II for DBAUG
I Approx. 300 students
I Compulsory course in the first year
I 14 KP (5 hours of lecture and 2 hours of exercise classper week)
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Why is motivation a problem?
I These students are NOT mathematicians, but need tolearn a lot of mathematics!
I Mathematics is hard work: You get stuck, you fail, youneed to think hard (that’s often no fun!).
I Results are usually not immediately visible. Enduranceis needed.
But there is some motivation:
I In my experience engineers at the ETH bring a lot ofintrinsic motivation: They do not question why theyhave to do so much maths and why precisely this mathsand are prepared to work hard.
I There is the external pressure of an exam at the end.
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
My actions for enhancing motivation
I Show that you take the students serious (i.e. showthem respect)
I Show that you care about their well-being and theirperformance
I Show passion for the subject and for teaching
I Be genuine
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Example 1: Multiplce choice questions onthe homework
Idea: The students are asked to do a certain number ofmultiple choice questions each week which they hand inelectronically.
Benefits:
I I remind them that they should do the exercises (show Icare).
I Direct feedback on their performance.
I Feedback on how they are doing related to the group.
I Feedback to me how the group is doing – I take upexercises that were particularly difficult in class.
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Example 2: Clicker questions during theclass
Idea: I pose one or two clicker questions per lecture wichthey either discuss immediately and answer, or answer firstand then discuss and re-answer.
Benefits:
I It gives the students a short break - something different,where they can become active.
I The students get immediate feedback and see how theyare doing compared to their peers.
I I comment on the statistics which shows them I care.
I I get immediate feedback on how well my teaching wasunderstood and I also communicate about this.
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Example 3: Visit the exercise classes
Idea: Time permitting, I try to regularly visit the exerciseclasses.
Benefits:
I I can give feedback to my TAs in order to improve theirteaching and to build a team spirit as teachers/coaches.
I I see in “real time” how my students are coping withthe material and what the difficulties are (this may flowback into the lecture, or into next year’s lecture).
I The students are aware that I visit their exercise classes(hence they see that I care)
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Take home message:
Think about how you can show your students that you care!
Motivatingstudents formathematics
Dr. Meike Akveld
Thank you for your attention!