Hi Carolyn,
Something I like to do is put my students into groups and then give them an item to develop a sales pitch around. For example I want you to develop a sales campaign for selling "used cats". The class laughs and then settled down into developing a sales pitch that cannot run more than 90 seconds. The resulting presentations are fun but show the students the places they need to work on their communication skills and how to express themselves in short focused ways.
Gary
I, too, teach general education classes, but in psychology and interpersonal relations. As an adjunct teaching in the evening, I identify with the feeling of isolation. There is one other instructor teaching these classes, but during the day. Attending the in-services would provide an opportunity, however, my day job often prevents attending.
Teaching interpersonal relations does offer many opportunities for being a motivator. One of the challenges for me, though, is that many students come into the class viewing themselves as competent communicators, even though that may not necessarily be the case. Referring to research data on skills job supervisors typically see lacking in their supervisees helps. Also, role play activities, sometimes, help students realize that they could improve some skills in a non-threatening manner. Any other suggestions?
Hi Elise,
I really like your approach to how you are sharing with your students the value of your subject area. Career college students are focused on a specific career field and often don't appreciate the value of other knowledge. You are integrating your field into their field and showing them the added value of being able to converse on a variety of subjects in the area of common knowledge. The example you gave about your massage therapist is great. This show application of your field to their field and the return on investment (ROI) they can receive from it.
The feeling of isolation is common for many of our general education instructors since they don't have fellow instructors to share with. I don't have a solution to the problem except to say continue your sharing with other instructors from the other fields and enjoying their insights.
Gary
