Telling Tales
When I'm explaining a concept, I give example applications in my students' fields. When I add a story about a real person (often me) making mistakes, recovering, and/or succeeding, their ears prick up. Bringing theory to the practical aspects of their lives is certainly part of the magic, but part of the effectiveness is due to the change of pace in voice and body language
I found telling tales from past experiences is a great way for your new students feel comfortable with you first day of class. As you cover the material during lectures they will relate the information back to the stories you told first day. I had some curious students one time that weren't believing a tale I was telling. About six months later at a local event they asked my wife if the tale was true. Boy, were they shocked when she confirmed it was true and told them one I had forgotten about.
I notice the students listen, show stronger signs of it, when I explain how I used the lesson in my prior work in the field. There faces change and they follow me around with their eyes as I move and become more animated with the story.
I feel too that if students find that we as instructors have all been through a variety of learning experiences especially mistakes that we have made, anxiety levels go down for students.
Hi Sheila!
I like the fact that you share less than successful life experiences. Not everything that happens in life has positive outcomes but we do learn from them.
Keep up the good work!
jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I, too, iclude brief vignettes from my past- both successful and not as successful moments so a rapport can be developed.
I love giving examples of real life experiences. The students seem to remember better with these stories too.
Hi Kevin!
Good job! It's great when students are connected to a class in a positive way before they ever get there.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Bringing 23 years of field expirence into the classroom I have a story for just about every lesson. The students really enjoy my past encounters especially the ones where I made mistakes. I know have students coming into my classes who have already heard from other students my stories and can't wait to here them from the source. I now connect the stories with the lessons and as a result I have a lot more students retaining a lot more information.
As most of my students are of various ages, I find it quite educational to tell "REAL LIFE "tales that everyone can relate to. I tell by my experiances(35yrs) as a Chef, that life happens, and you have always have to have a plan "B" and that everyone makes mistakes, and it is very important to learn from them. I also create secenarios of life experiances and put them in the situation of of making a decision.
it is amazing that no matter their ages, they tend to look at the decision from a mature and professional point of view.
Real life(tales) experiances work for everyone.
This is definitely an effective strategy; however, it is one that I don't generally use. More often than not, I tend to use examples of third parties that students will likely be aware of, such as famous people, politicians, historical figures, etc. I do sometimes use personal examples, but to a very limited extent.
As a chef I offten use stories about what went wrong to show my students both what not to do and to let them know that it happens to all of us no matter how long you have been at the job
Kevin Stork
Hi Gregory!
I absolutely agree! I've always tried to help students realize that I simply help "them" learn through a structured, well planned out environment. But they are responsible for being open minded and receptive.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I find that grounding yourself by sharing funny experiences of making mistakes makes you more "real" to students.
I find that students really get a sence of truth when you bring examples or stories that i have been invovled in. They feel as if they can see them selves in my shooes
I fnd it helpfl from a historicl viewpoin to dscuss the differences of going to school in the '60 ad now..thy can't believe the 'no tch-ting'
Hi Frank!
Great comment! When an instructor"self discloses" some deeper connect is made wih students.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
