Question

How can an instructor change a learner’s attitude, motivation, and interest by means of instruction? Include in your thoughts the ethical implications that may need to be considered. Remember to use the vocabulary from the text in your discussion. 

Answer 1

The role of teachers seems to be shifting from preprogrammed knowledge dispensers to instead managers of student learning and the learning environment. Following points clarify the role of Instructor in improving learning, motivation and interest:

1. Subject knowledge and motivational level: The instructor’s knowledge of the subject matter and the motivational level are most important to motivate college students to do well in college. That may be because professors could influence the student’s internal state of wanting to do well.  
2. Teacher skills: Teacher skills include staying calm, eliminating negative thoughts or feelings, disengaging stress, remembering that students have their own realities and are doing their best, not taking students’ actions personally, remembering that students are not bad rather just in the process of development, and maintaining a sense of humor.
3. Teacher qualifications: Educators need to acquire new qualities and continue to grow and evolve as they are role models for the students.
4. Test giving: Teachers need to know how to give tests that are motivating to the students. Tests need to have thematic relevance, that is, they need to aim at checking what students have learned and whether they can apply it to real-life tasks. In addition, tests that are more demanding or challenging than anything practiced in class will have negative effects on student motivation. Also, tests should be based on course objectives and should not involve surprise or novelty.
5. Scientific management and human relations: The educator must consider whether to approach students from the viewpoint of scientific management, human relations, or both. Here are some tips on how to add components of both scientific management and human relations from Jamie Doran (1999), the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs 1998 Outstanding Accounting Educator Award:
   • Use inventive teaching techniques,
   • Encourage your students to embrace technology
   • Make learning both interesting and entertaining
   • Require significant effort both inside and outside the classroom
   • Convey a real sense of caring to the students
   • Make each student feel special
   • Help students outside of the classroom and at odd hours
   • Teach them how to use information to make proper decisions for real life
   • Students need to know you are approachable
   • Motivate them to achieve at their maximum level
   • Instill a fire in your students
   • Create a classroom environment where students are passionate about learning
   • Go beyond the confines of the academic setting
   • Discuss contemporary topics,
   • Share personal relevant experience
   • Capture the interest of your students
   • Be devoted to your students
   • Learn students individual needs and respond appropriately
   • Develop specialized assignments and schedules when needed
   • Provide tools for their careers
   • Promote practical work experience
6. Conscious of small details: This includes the way information is presented, the kinds of activities that teachers use, the ways teachers interact with students, the amount of choice and control given to students, and opportunities for students to work alone or in groups. Students react to who teachers are, what they do, and how comfortable they feel in the classroom.