How can students use the information in the real world?
I try and find ways to show my students how they will use the information I am presenting when they are done with school.
Sometimes students roll their eyes at things, when this happens I tell them about a personal experience with the topic we are discussing. I have had graduates come back after they have been out in the real world and tell me how my personal stories helped them to deal with situations more clearly.
I teach speech communication. Early in the term, I assign a 2-3 page "reaction paper" where the students are to relate how concepts from the textbook are useful in their present or past job, volunteer activity, or future career. The idea is to get them to see the importance of subject and the value they receive.
I think that it is necessary to make sure to show students that what they are doing in class directly applies to what they are hoping to do some day outside of class. When students are able to see the carry over from inside to outside of the classroom, they become more engaged and I have found that the quality of the work also increases.
Our delivery is upfront and personal where future military assignments may take them overseas in possibly harms way. Our operational planning course uses lecture, short forum discussion of class member experience and how it relates to future case study exercise. The method and tools presented in the operational planning course directly relate to future assignment on higher organizational staffs. It's great to see them in future environments when they come to you and admit they really may have not grasped the entire picture but definitely have a better appreciation for the detailed, deliberate planning process.
I usually have dozens of stories from past jobs, or jobs that I have been on myself that I can relate back to. If done enough, they actually realize you are talking out of experience from the real world and not just making up stories.
Yes, this is very important students relate to the material more when they can see it used in a practical everyday example. Humans in general relate to concepts that inflict an emotional response in them, so in using stories and examples, if we appeal to them and their emotions, they will gain knowledge.
