I agree. It also help with the bonding of the students and the Instructor with the subject matter. It's a lot funnier than way also.
MaryEllen,
this is a great advantage of the life experiences that we often overlook. It helps them see us as people.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
not only does it enhance the learning environment for all the students, it gives the student ownership of the class. It gives them value when they add to the discussion topic
Students can share in who you are and getting to know the instructor on another level. The life experiences that we share may be just what the student needs to open up, set goals and get down to work.
Sonny,
yes, life experiences are a tremendous way to help the students see the applications to life outside the classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Well put, Tim. I am thankful that I had many years of work experience to bring to class with me. Whenever we discuss HIPAA regulations, I always share a story about an experience I had with an incidental disclosure of Medical Records. I find that when I have experiences and stories to tell my students - they become much more engaged with me as their instructor, but it also makes me look like a human instead of an instructor, and that is sometimes what students need in order to open up. We have "round table" discussions about life/work/school balance. I find that it is in this setting that students talk about life experience and draw strength from each other's stories and opinions.
First it builds up their confidence. By sharing their experiences, they lend credence to their knowledge and life.
They also demonstrate that the quality of life covers more than the subjects that are covered in class.
It also explains what motivates a student. There are as many reasons as there are life stories to tell.
Using life experiences in the classroom is critical to student success and retention of the course material. The material can often be perceived as esoteric but once these experiences are provided, the relevance is so much more apparent to them. Great how this is promoted in the module!
Some students come to the class room with lack of confidence in their abilities. The use of life experience can show them a time in their lives when they were successful. This will increase confidence, motivation, and retention.
Students can also learn from listening to others life experiences.
Life experiences are helpful for many different reasons.
It gives an actual example as to how our topic will be applied in real world. Which maintains student attention and motivation.
It also gives us, the instructor, an opportunity to share our experiences and tips for their future reference.
It is important because it helps them to feel connected to the class and gives me the instructor and idea of what they know and where they are coming from. As I stated, I teach math and there isn't much room for social or psychological dialogue with the exception of math is easy for me or difficult. Sharing personal experiences can give me an opportunity to point out where and how math has been part of ones life experiences, which may make understanding it easier and more attractive to the learner.
Encouraging the use of life experiences helps the student identify with the material being presented to them. If a student cannot identify with the topics, they will start to lose their motivation to learn.
I have many adult students changing the course of their lives with the program I teach in. Using their life experiences helps them engage with the material and see its relevance. The stories they tell can also help other students see things in new ways. It gives them a larger and more realistic picture.
It helps the students understand that they can make mistakes and still come out on top. It also gives them the comfort to come and ask questions about a subject that is concerning them.
It is important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom. It allows the learning to evaluate how these experiences would be applicable in their career field.
We understand more by experience. it makes sense that using experiences for learning is a best method. If you can engage adult learners to share experiences, and to apply them to what you are teaching, it will make it more real to them and others. It shows application.
Instructing a medical class life experiences can help the students get a visual and they seem to get it.
As the module noted, using life experiences helps students to connect with their ability to be successful in the classroom. In addition, when students share their life experiences it exposes their peers to a range of diversity that will benefit them in future interactions with co-workers, clients, staff, management, etc. - an important skill in the workplace.
Christie,
great point & a lot of times this makes it easier for the students to listen to the instructor & hear what he/she has to say.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Douglas,
yes & sometimes pausing in the story & asking the students to think through what should happen next or what decision they would make can provide great material for discussion & learning.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
