Now we just have to learn how to express it in the programming language. One component of this is stating exactly what the student will be able to do at the completion of the course. These goals are repeatedly communicated to the students so that throughout the semester they know where the class is headed, why we are covering each topic, and how it support s the course objectives. I motivate students by a combination of push and pull. The pull is the enthusiasm I show for both teaching and the course material.
Enthusiasm is contagious, and the students end up wanting t o learn and succeed.
The push comes from highly challenging assignments plus the high expectations that I have for my students. They find that they learn a great deal and achieve more than they thought possible. I try to foster a positive attitude amongst my students and empower them to succeed. Taking a course should be a personal experience, and students should not be just bodies in a large lecture hall. I put considerable effort into learning every student's name and some personal background about them.