Hi Mark!
It makes perfect sense to work with real world applications. Students need more than texbook education.
When I first graduated from college, I kept my text around for a long time. But there was a point where I realized that the practical/experiential application had taken me much further and I no longer needed the text.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Bethanne - great point about adult learners going back to school having a leg up on children due to their real world experience! I'll have to use that one in addressing my adult learners going forward!
I actually try to quell any apprehension by telling these types of students that they are not alone - that many others are right there with them. This seems to quell up front anxiety!
Mark McMullen
I believe it helps them to see that they already have a foundation to build upon; they aren't starting from scratch as it may seem at times. It gives them a sense of accomplishment at the beginning of the new learning process without them having to have proven anything academically. Adult learners tend to be apprehensive about re-entering the educational setting, often wondering if they still have what it takes to be a student. I tell my adults students that they actually have a leg up on school children, as they (adults) have real life experience from which to draw information from or apply new concepts to.
I feel the students transpose those past experiences into the new futur actions they will take. They find themself closer to the field they are currently studying.
Hi Shannon!
Life experiences are so invaluable. I do believe that I have had some experiences in the dental chair that I could pass on and hopfully learn from!!!!! Chuckle - Chuckle!
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
Hi Rhonda!
It's that buy-in that I was talking about in my post to you about group work. People feel enpowered when they feel that are making a contribution and playing a significant part in something.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I agree. I often ask students to relate a key learning point or comment from another student to their own personal experiences and share this with the class. This creates a stronger, more enriching learning environment!
Mark McMullen
To reinforce the learning materials. I use real world applications of learning concepts in my Live Chat lectures which truly helps students understand key learning points!
Mark McMullen
This is one of the biggest shockers for me. When we start relating life experiences to a certain topic, EVERYONE, starts participating. I really enjoy listening to them. I have to keep a reign on the amount of time we use but I try to let them discuss their experiences some every class because they just participate better.
It deffinately helps them to relate to the information better. Using examples of something they know helps too. For example: using a car engine with a fuel pump to explain how the heart works..or using water flow to explain how electricity works.
I couldn't concur more, Alan!
It's great when we come out of school that we can put into practice what we learned.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I think as instructors, we have been on both sides of the fence; as learners and also as instructional facilitators. I think that we should ask our students to draw on their experiences. This will help to give them a sense of security and also help them to feel that they have the ability to be successful in their courses. Success breathes success. Hence, once we are able to help students feel like they have small successes they are most likely to feel that they can have larger successes.
Life experiences give the learner the ability to see and hear what is really going on in the outside world. An instructor can stand and lecture about a particular subject but it needs to be put into real life terms for people to get a handle on what is being talked about. It gives the learner something to relate to and something to look forward to once they are in the field.
Using their life experiences can really help to keep them motivated because if you use something that they are already familiar with they won't feel as overwhelmed. This is hard in my classroom because most of their dental experience comes from only being a patient themselves.
My students probably think i am one of the most accident prone person, because i tell soo many stories from my field experience, but they are entertained and learning what not to do.
Life skills are important in showing students goals can be achieved, They feel if their peers can do it so can they.
Each student brings experiences with them, no matter what their age. How they use that experience will depend on their success and motivation.
hi Leslie!
I made the comment in another post that experiences are often better than the text.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Lynn!
I couldn't agree more!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I agree with using real life experiences in the classroom. The students like to hear about what to expect when they graduate. My classes favorite stories all start with "there was this one time, when we had..."
