Life Experiences and learning
As a Medical Assistant instructor I have to use real life stories to get the students interested. When I do, they open up about their healthcare experiences and it really makes the class more enjoyable!
Kevin,
Can you expand on your support of this idea? Thanks.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I concur with this sentiment
Julie,
Great to hear. Keep sharing those examples and stories because this is what increases the ROI for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree this has been very helpful and engaging students and get them to ask questions and share their fears and how to overcome and gain confidence in presenting and talking to patients.
Sheila,
These are great ways to get students engaged in the course. The stories help to bring alive the content being taught. This sets the stage for relevancy and application for the content which increases motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also agree with above comments. Having been a R.N. for 34 years and also teach nursing students, I try to share real-life nursing expierences and stories as often as possible(time restaints). Yes, the students do perk-up and ask alot of relevant questions. In addition, I show some very realistic & relevant excerps from past & present T.V. medical shows (like E.R.) and the students really love those.
Martha,
Story sharing is an important part of the teaching learning process. The stories you tell about your experiences in the field help to make the content come alive for your students while showing the relevancy of why it is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I learned from day one my students most wanted to know what to expect when they start working in our career field. They ask me lots of questions about how clients respond to different things. Has this or that happened to me. I love sharing my stories with them.
Karen,
I think this is a great starting point. I am always amazed as I start a new class with the diverse backgrounds my students have. They have done some amazing things in their lives and having them share with the class helps to establish a common bond among all of us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I always try to find out the backgrounds (work histories) of my students on the first day. This helps me be able to call on the students who I think have something potentially to contribute to a learning lesson, especially the more shy or more hesitiant ones.
Joyce,
This is a very important concept for them to understand and practice. You never know when someone is observing you and how you conduct yourself and the impact your conduct can have on your future.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with your comment about their conduct outside of class and the impact it can have on their careers. Sharing experiences do help them understand this.
Jonathan,
As a result of your previous experiences in your field I know you have many stories and examples to share with your students. The more connections you can make between your experiences and the content being offered the greater value your students will have for your course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's easier to teach/ facilitate class when students are involve, and they are more interested if life experiences and learning are incorporated in the concept taught.
Jonathan,
I agree with your comments. I am a Registered nurse and I currently teach nursing students. When you can interject a true work life experience into the session it really draws the students in. Stories must be focused and not excessive as excessive stories can distract from the learning experience.
I am a Cardiovascular Echosonographer by trade and i introduce as much personal experience into the classroom as possible. This adds value and peaks the interest of the students. Reading verbatim from a book can be super boring for the student and instructor. However, by sharing personal experiences the student is able to better conceptualize the material and further understand how their knowledge can be applied to work out in the field in a patient care setting.
Lindsey,
Students really perk up when instructors tell stories because the stories bring value to the content being offered. The stories help the students to connect the dots between the classroom/lab and the real world.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I tell my students stories of different situations that have taken place in our field. I am a barber instructor but I teach both cosmetologists as well as barbers. I let them know that even their conduct outside of the shop can have an impact on their clientele or chance at opportunities. They understand cleary. It's amazing at how much brighter the room gets with all those light bulbs clicking on at once!
Jacquelyn,
Students as you know really perk up when you share stories like this with them. Also, these stories help to make the course content come alive and have application for them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
