That is absolutely true. I have used my past experiences in my classes. My students are so intriged with my experiences and they listen so closely. I have had experience out in the field in EMS.
Using real life situatioins makes it real for the students, it gets them excited about the field. Now I also let my students discuss work experiences in class so they can see the different situations from the different fields. It usually makes the students thankful for entering the medical field.
It helps them to relate to what you are talking about. In this way it helps give them a boost to feel that they will be able to do what is required.
Adult students as individuals all have a certain strength that a peer may not have; I look at each student and try to help them realize on their own through conversation, sharing, etc. with others in the class that their life experiences are unique and special; not only do they make them who they are but that they(life experience) are their own strength and need to be shared with all for their value and worth.
Encouraging adult learners to be able to use life experiences in the classroom is essential for academic success until they graduate their program of study. Not only to adults naturally feel proud of their experiences and accomplishments, they utilize episodic memory to learn new concepts that will enrich their current skillset.
I feel that adult learners coming into a second career (or a professional career later in life) have their own worries about coming in to a classroom setting with younger students or simply after being away from a classroom for a time. They have adjustments from being the experienced person at their jobs or homes to being the new kid on the block in the classroom setting. By bringing their life experiences into the discussion, it not only helps them get to know each other, but it helps them feel they are making a valuable contribution to the subject or task (which they are). As their comfort level increases by contributing their experiences or advice, they also increase their own investment or class buy-in to be productive participants in the course. They are helping shape their own learning!
In our given chosen field and its 'hands-on' nature - I believe life experience is the very essence of success, and instils confidence in students when sharing past experiences
They say experience is the best teacher. Experiences are practical and can be examined to see how things have evolved and how we can improve.
Telling and hearing life experiences, we are able to learn from others. It also can serve as teaching tool to reflect on how that particular experience could have been better/worse. It also connects us in humor and the "real" life. I believe it also boosts pride. It also serves as a window to different cultures. I love hearing stories.
Thanks for this discussion.
Not only does it reenforce the students past success but will show them that they can achieve success at this new venture.
Application is also important, when the student can relate or tie together the new material with previous experience they increase their ability to recall the data by having multiple memory associations to draw from.
Adult learners seem to like to share life stories with the class and seem to enjoy - within reason - the life stories relevant to the topic being discussed that the instructor can contribute to the discussion for the day.
Yes, this is true for surgical technologists as well.. If a student has had a procedure done that his/her class mates are learning about it seems to be more intersting coming from somone that experienced it.
Sharing life experiences is an important tool to motivate students and most times students enjoy learning about real life situations, good and bad. It makes us more human like and approachable
I think using life experiences is important for students because every student learns something new from the other students. It also ,makes a more relaxed environment for the students because by sharing their experiences they feel free to interject their thoughts and experiences more.
If the instructor uses real life experiences that the students can relate to it helps the instructor gain credibility with the students
Instructors were students at one point. It gives value to teaching to share life experiences in the related course to students to make them motivated and realize there is a learning curb to everything and not feel intimidated in their future profession.
It is very important in medical field
Adult learners have a direct connection to their past and how it will form their future. Younger learners don't have this type of experience embedded yet into their psyche. Adult learners need to know that what they've been doing (at least the positive points) have meant something, when transitioning into a formal education setting.
I love to use life experiences in the classroom of not only of myself but my students. It makes them feel important because they have done something and are able to share it with the class. It then gives the other students a way to ask questions to that student and it makes them feel important and proud when they can give feedback to another student. It also can give the students a real eye-opener on what is really out there and what to expect. My class really likes to participate in this and it gives everyone a better outlook about everyone also.
When the adult learners are able to bring their past experiences into the classroom and share helps not only themselves, but their classmates. Life experiences can give othters that mental 'picture' or help with that can-do attitude in tasks.
