Using Life Experiences in the Classroom
Giving examples or telling stories can help bring relevance to a subject. Sometimes I also use it to make them laugh- I share my failures so they aren't so hard on themselves.
When relying in the past experience gives the students a sense of bearing of what to expect and projection of his abilities to accomplish.
The use of life experience can help with the learning process in a very positive way and a great tool for the teacher if he is aware of it.
Why is it important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom?
The students get a sense that they have value from the experiences and can contribute to the big picture of learning.
If students are able to use their life experiences in the classroom, they have a greater opportunity to connect with the subject matter.
I think it gives relevance to the topics and why the adult learner should want to know the information that the lecturer is giving. They will have something to compare information to as well
It brings them closer to the content... more than they probably intially thought. I see that ah-ha moment when someone who has done a procedure before and can use it agian in the classroom. they also get that feeling that they can be a helper in the classroom.
It adds interest for everyone. I try to grab a few points from each student for use as we go through the curriculum. The right reference at the right time can make the learning process much more powerful and immediate. I've had students who have had to give meds at home and I can take their expereince and use it in a medmath setting to illustrate a point.
It allows them to feel valued. Also, if you equate your course content to real life, the student is more apt to be engaged.
Life experiences give concrete examples for many of the objectives for my nutrition course. Just as I use examples from my career to explain the concepts I'm trying to get across, students filter that information and relate it to their experiences to reinforce and understand those ideas.
Sharing life experiences not only can make the information relevant to students, it can forge relationships and boost student self-esteem. It can make boring information come alive, capturing student interest and motivate them to find out more about the topic. I love it when that happens!
Life experiences in a learning environment is important, things are constantly changing. Regardless of the issues - something is always going to be different and serious learners are interested in being informed. Up to date experiences shared in the classroom are important to anyone who feels at a disadvantage, it allows them to see that they can fit in.
It humanizes the textbook and lectures. Sometimes the textbook cannot walk the talk, but if we as instructors share real-world examples utilizing the terms and theories in the book, then the students 'get it'. Also, it encourages classroom participation as the students can take what they are learning from lectures and the texts and share their real-world experiences thereby enhancing the class further.
It gives them the sense that they can be succesful in the course and it also gives them the reassurance that they are contributing to the course, especially when the instructor asks for them to share their experience with the class as a learning reinforcement method.
I agree with Shawna. We all learn from past experiences and if a student has an unique or interesting story that others can apply to their lives they will retain that information and interest.
Life experience can “connect the dots†for students. Making the assignments relevant and letting them understand the work world association makes the importance of the subject matter increase.
I have years of life experience, but I try to have students use their examples also. I am not the expert of real life scenarios, so using the student’s examples are outstanding. Many times I have had a student come in after a certain lecture and they comment “it’s just like what happened to me this weekend†and they give an example. If appropriate and insightful, I have the student share the experience with the rest of the class.
It allows the students to feel that they are adding to the class. Also, it gives other students the chance to associate similar circumstances to their own.
I believe it helps them relate it to the learning and use it as motivation to continue learning
In nursing, the use of real life experiences paints a clear picture for the student. It allows the student to understand how critical thinking and knowledge converge.
It is part of the 'learning mix' as students change role from Active Listener. It also acts as a motivator to learn from past experiences and increases their sense of value/worth.
It builds their confidence! It shows them that they have had these skills all along. It shows that the adult learners are capable of setting and achieving goals.
