Getting students to draw on personal experience
Questioning /discussion is one of the most interesting ways to teach and when used well allows an instructor to personalize class meetings to the group on a session-by-session basis. I have two methods that I use frequently to draw students into questions: observation and acknowledging experience. Watching and listening to your students before class, on breaks, and during discussions offers a great means to prepare questions that key into the interests of the students. I observe my students and try to establish what they talk about with each other as a means of focusing questions that will spark their interest in the subject. Keying on anything that they are abuzz about can offer an opening to get students involved, it insures that the student’s interests are validated, and the students are more likely to answer because they are inside of their comfort zone. This is even better facilitated when I start the discussion process by asking one or two questions that the majority of the class can relate to such as” how many of you have seen/experienced/ met/etc…”; if you can get them to raise their hands they have started the participation process. Once students have taken that first step, the questions can pull them deeper into the subject and expand their interest.
Hi Jamie, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, students really benefit from seeing that their instructors may have had similar experiences. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Ron, these are great methods. I use them also. I have discovered, in many cases, the need for me to share my own relevant experiences first to encourage more students to participate. But as time goes on, the students are comfortable enough to jump in and use their experiences in discussions. I love it! In my case, sociology leaves a lot of room to pull in life experiences to help students understand theories and their applications.
I share my experiences with the students concerning that by learning to use the computer it placed me in the position I now occupy. When I started the computer I never dreamed or imagined that I would someday be teaching keyboarding classes in a school that trained MA and ICS students.
I share with them the fact that every skill and all information that they assimilate will add to their value as an employee. I try to make the connection early in their schooling so they have a goal in which to connect all the new information to their present and to their future. I believe if the students can make that connection it helps them put the extra effort into learning as much as they can.
Most MA's think they will not need computer skills because they only want to work with patients. I tell them when an employer has to decide who stays and who goes sometimes it is the computer skills that help you stay.
Ron, I totally agree with your involvement to listen what is relevant and what matters to the students in a particular day and then comment about that. It establishes better communication between instructor and students. Kitchen industry related experiences are plenty to discuss in my kitchen.
Dear Ron: I agree that this a very good way to involve students. I would just add that talking about my own experience with issues that concern them is also a good way of breaking the ice and stimulating good discussions. Thanks, Larry
Hi Ron - You would also make aa great sociologist -you are a great observer of people! That I think is the heart of being a good teacher. Being able to ascertain where they are mentally and emotionally as well as picking up on physical issues. You are doing an excellent job.
