Hi Brenda,
Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge is always a good idea. Your approach allows students to get a clear picture of what will be coming in the weeks ahead. Application helps to create an understanding of relevance. It is also very helpful when the students understand that you understand how what you are teaching is helpful. I see many instructors that offer content only because it is required rather, that offering for increased knowledge.
Your excitement about the field will also help with making the relevance of instruction applicable.
Do you use any games or activities when you introduce the "why" in "why do we have to learn this?"? If so are there some examples you would be willing to share?
Thanks
Gary
Dear Gary. I make the course relevant by comparing the students' geometric and trigonometric solutions to CNC and CAD programming solutions. I also give a VERY brief outline and problems associated with binary, octal, and hexadecimal systems. (The fundamentals of computer programming). I want the students to know the "why" in the "why do we have to learn this?"
Hi Tammy,
The learning through experience or trial and error method is a good one for students. It is low risk, yet gives very valuable experience. It is much better for them to explore solutions with you are there to guide them than to be in the field and be exploring solutions when mistakes might cost them their jobs.
I commend you for using your professional experiences to illustrate for your students ways in which they can enhance their own knowledge base. Students like to hear success stories so they can get inspired to complete their own training.
Gary
Hi Iesha,
This is where “Immediate Use of Newly Acquired Knowledge†comes in to play. We all like to “try out†what we have just learned. Through your use of problem solving and case study activities you are letting your students do just that.
Good luck with your teaching efforts. Sounds like you are doing a good job of instructing.
Gary
Hi Juan,
The use of case studies and problem based learning is a very strong method of enabling students to apply their learning. “Immediate use of newly acquired knowledge†is a quote that I have developed and practice with vigor. Tell them what you are going to teach, teach them, and then let them apply what they have learned. This method supports your comments about being able to meet individual needs.
Gary
I believe it is important for the students to be able to relate the course content to everyday situations. I plan on using expamples from experiences in my past professional career. I believe that this will validate for the students the need to utilize the skill.
I also believe that trial and error is an effective way for students to retain information. The students are able to move through the designated material at their own pace and receive more personalized instruction.
The courses I teach are computer basics and computer software applications. I believe the best way to make the course content relevant to the learning needs is to give examples of when the particular application would be necessary in a real-world situation either on the job or personally.
One way for making the course content relevant may be to project their application of the things learned in the course in the jobs they will be having in the future. Each class is not the same as each student is different with differrent learning needs. By approaching each subject matter in different ways, and/or presenting a topic in more ways than one, i try to cater to the needs of most, if not all, students.
Hi Jason,
Excellent approach. You are customizing instruction and instructional interaction in a manner that enables both you and the students to benefit. I am sure that your students enjoy your classes due to the personal touch as well as the small enrollment.
Good luck with your classes.
Gary
Hi Gary,
I just initiate a one on one conversation with each individual and jot down notes in my book. Then before each class I reveiw the notes to see that I'm on track with what that particular student is looking to get out of the class. I'm fortunate to be able to do this because most of the classes I have been involved with have been less then five students so it makes it easy to give a personal learning experience for each.
Hi Steve,
Great job of relating the professional development of your students to their personal lives as well. Anytime we can make application from one setting to another we are making progress in learning.
Students at times suffer from tunnel vision just as we do. By using application and utilization of new knowledge in new settings you are helping to make the sequence of learning occur.
Gary
Hi Jason,
You offer a very sound approach to getting the students started in developing an appreciation for the relevancy of the course.
I have a question about how you find out the individual goals that each student has set for themselves. Do you use a survey form, personal interview, etc.? How do you record that information so it is readily available and useable for your instructional development?
Gary
Hi Ken,
The use of previous experiences and case studies really help the application process come alive. Another great source of inspiration and knowledge for students is from successful graduates. These folks can really get the students excited about the future that is awaiting them.
Gary
First I find out the indivdual goals each student has set for themselves both within the course and outside the course. With this I can set the pace of the class from motivating those who need it to keeping it interesting for those who over acheive.
Relating the course information to their everyday seems to be effective. This can only happen if you take time to learn the things your student values in life. It may be a hobby, or career. What ever it is, the student needs to relate to the teaching.
Steve Preston
While teaching the content I try to throw in any past experiences I have had, or others relaid to me, in the work place to to show the importance of the material in real world applications.
Hi Thomas,
You have a very good approach to how you develop both the delivery and content of your course. As you mentioned the key is knowing where students are at and where they need to be at the end of the course. Mixing this with a variety of delivery techniques and you will have students that are interested as well as motivated to learn.
Gary
I feel the keys to making the content relevant are simple. I try to find out what kind of work the students' company does,ie production or single pieces. That way I can really try to steer the course to fit that need. You have to have a good plan,but still be flexible. You must deal with individual skill levels and their desire to learn. I mix the class up with lecture,theory,and of course,a lot of hands-on time. I believe that this keeps them interested and confident in their new found skills.
Hi Larry,
You use all of the key components to keep the students engaged in the learning process. Real life scenarios and past graduates are ways to create a future vision for the students. The quickly learn from the past graduates that I have to work hard and from the real life scenarios they learn about problem solving. Now they can create for themselves a career path of learning if they want to succeed. They have examples, now they need application of their own effort in order to succeed.
Gary
Well for me this is quite simple since we deal with a lot of dis-placed workers. They already know the relevence of what we teach. But the ones that might not understand I use real world scenarios. I also use multimedia over heads and research projects. Not to mention hands on learning. I also at times invite other instructors to the classroom and perhaps the occasional business owner for discussions.
