The Best Ways to Motivate Your Students Online
At Pear Deck Tutor (formerly, TutorMe), tutors have a unique opportunity to leverage innovative online technology to help students learn and keep them motivated. As you get to know more students, you'll find that not all people are motivated by the same things. Your motivational strategies will vary depending on each student's age, grade level, and personality. However, there are some universally effective ways to motivate your students online and keep them engaged.
Be enthusiastic and energetic
Enthusiasm is contagious, so if you're enthusiastic about your material, your students will be more receptive to what you're trying to teach them.
Make the subject matter exciting and fun wherever possible. Positive energy and an upbeat attitude go a long way toward getting students of any age interested and engaged.
Start with making a great impression on your students. First impressions matter when it comes to establishing a strong rapport with your student online and getting them fired up about their session.
Use multiple learning tools
You’ll work with students who have completely different learning styles and preferences. Some may be visual learners, while others may be more hands-on.
The Lesson Space on the Pear Deck Tutor platform features versatile learning tools to help you tailor your instruction to meet each student's needs.
For example, if you’re helping a student learn a new math concept, you can break it down using the virtual whiteboard, calculator, and live audio and video chat.
If you’re helping a student master a foreign language, use both the audio chat and the text editor so your student can hear and see the words as you speak. Using the diverse learning tools available in our Lesson Space goes a long way in making tutoring more accommodating and engaging.
As technology advances, tutors get more and more ways to show and explain how something works. Putting foreign concepts into a familiar environment that a student can understand is one way to help a student learn.
This article about constructivism and technology gives several good examples of multiple types of technology helping middle schoolers and high schoolers learn new things.
Through constructivism, students assimilate new ideas into what they already know and accommodate strange concepts by putting them into a framework that they're familiar with.
The Pear Deck Tutor platform allows tutors to introduce new things in real time using easy-to-use digital learning tools. Distance learning has never been more effective!
Praise your student's good work
Students seek validation and positive affirmation as they learn—this is especially true for younger learners who are still developing their self-esteem.
Give praise when your student figures out a solution, correctly performs a step, and even when they attempt to work through a problem but arrive at an incorrect answer.
Applauding their effort and hard work is equally important as saying "Good job" when they get an answer right. Praise cultivates a positive, supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable and confident in their ability to learn.
As you support your student, guide them to build their own sense of self-esteem. Providing positive mantras, such as "I am smart. I can do hard things!" really gives students a boost that can help overcome negativity towards learning.
There is enough competition in the classroom and in your students' lives. Your one-on-one tutoring time is a fantastic opportunity to let a child know that they matter.
Check out more ways you can use positive affirmations with your students.
Check in periodically
As you work with your student, ask for feedback on your instruction. This is a great way to make your student feel like a part of the process, and it helps you adjust your tutoring style to fit their learning style and preferences.
You don't have to ask for feedback after every single problem. Use your best judgment as to when you should check in with your students.
For example, if you have just explained a particularly complex concept, you may want to ask how well your student comprehended your breakdown.
See how much they understood the lesson. Ask if there was anything in particular that helped them get it. If they're still struggling, ask how you can help them grasp the concept better.
Also, if you use a specific visual aid in your lesson, you can ask your student if they would like more of that sort of thing in the future.
After each session, you and the student will have a chance to leave a rating. This invaluable two-way feedback ensures that our community is transparent, trustworthy, and responsive to the ever-evolving needs of students and tutors.
Share resources
You probably know of other tools that could help reinforce what your students are learning in the Lesson Space. Let your student know about these helpful resources!
It could be an awesome interactive math game, a website full of fun science articles, or an educational podcast. Do your homework, and only share the resources that are credible, relevant, and free to use.
Remember, you are the most valuable resource your student has access to, so don't try to push a different resource too hard. Think of your favorite learning resources as supplements to your guidance, not substitutes.
Online resources are not just for the students! Check out our comprehensive collection of online tutoring resources to help you tutor more effectively.
You can inspire your students to succeed
It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not just helping students improve their grades or test scores—you’re a source of support and inspiration, helping them build the self-confidence they need to thrive.
Your positive, energetic, and enthusiastic attitude is contagious and can definitely spur your students to fully engage with the session and learn the material at hand.
Are you a knowledgeable, supportive tutor with a passion for helping students succeed? Apply now to join our bustling community of seasoned subject matter experts!
