Warren,
I agree with you about the questions. I think that's why I like using the real examples, to hear their questions & know that something has clicked in their minds about this topic.
Dr. Ryan Meers
it helps students relate to the topic being taught. they get the relationship, the concepts of life experience that will help them in the public sector
I think it makes the teaching more informative actual true examples of true working conditions it helps to open the students minds. you can seeit inthere eyes. It seems to excite them and the questions and comments begin.
Kami,
Yes, not only does it help to share experiences as the instructor, but when the students share their experiences this can help the others connect the class concepts to real life too.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think this helps them to relate to the topic being taught, and it also helps to incorperate the information being taught with what the students have learned in the past.
It makes the classroom experience more relevant if their own life experiences are noted. Students learn better if they know that what they have lived are useful in their chosen careers.
Because can helps the student to feel that they can be successful.
I use real life experiences in teaching alot. It helps students relate easier to the learning process. It also helps bring out class discussions.
It allows students to learn from one another and real life scenarios. It also engages students to see how real life examples applies to the educational process.
Roy,
Great point about helping students see that it's ok to make mistakes. If all we tell are our successes then our students can start to feel as if they are real losers because they could never be that successful. Admit the mistakes, it really does help them learn.
Ryan
Using life experiences in teaching, you can show students where you went wrong and help them not to make the same mistakes. Also it will help make the class more interesting to them and allow them to see it is ok to make mistakes and be able to learn from them at the same time.
This is a great strategy. What a great way to engage both sides of the "generation gap." As you said your adult learners have a chance to share what they've learned in their experiences & the younger students have a chance to learn from them & their experiences.
Ryan
I try to use life experiences to relate to my adult learners as well as to have the younger students try to understand the issues which they may encounter. I ask my adults to relay a similar situation they've encountered if we've been discussing a specific topic--it's the experience that is important and how a situation was resolved. My adults tend to feel more accomplished and my younger students can relate and interact better with their older classmates.
Adult learners especially benefit from life experiences. And you are right that they have many of their own experiences that can be shared & that they want to share. Everyone benefits from this arrangement.
Ryan
Very true. The real life experiences are the relativity factor or "so what" for adult learners. This is very important in their learning.
Ryan
Since I teach many adult learners, I like to incorporate their experiences into the classroom. Lots of students have had interesting jobs in areas that I do not know a lot about. I feel that if I can connect what they do or an experience they have had to the course content, it will create a better understanding for everyone.
Students that are allowed to share their life experiences in the classroom will feel more at ease as they experience a new setting.
It gives them a sense of belonging to the learning experience and it makes learning easier if they can relate the subject to one of their life experience.
It's important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom because adult students will be more receptive to any information that they feel will prepare them for future events.
Great point on this Glenda. When we listen to the experiences of our students we are creating a great learning environment as it helps them to feel valued.
Ryan
