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Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveld

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Page 1: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

Motivatingstudents formathematics

Dr. Meike Akveld

Motivating students for mathematicsMeike Akveld

Page 2: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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)

Page 3: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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.

Page 4: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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

Page 5: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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.

Page 6: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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.

Page 7: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

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)

Page 8: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

Motivatingstudents formathematics

Dr. Meike Akveld

Take home message:

Think about how you can show your students that you care!

Page 9: Motivating students for mathematics Meike Akveldblogs.ethz.ch/refreshteaching/files/2016/01/2016... · Motivating students for mathematics Dr. Meike Akveld Example 2: Clicker questions

Motivatingstudents formathematics

Dr. Meike Akveld

Thank you for your attention!