Story time
In the 6 weeks I have my students (two 3 week classes) I use stories to relate to the subject. I have a friend (mostly made up) I call John, he is my "Dufus" that seems to always screw up or get it wrong. My stories always relate to the subject being discussed and usually have a funny part in them...that keeps the students attention.
Most of the stories are short and to the point but some are a little more involved. I feel these stories break up the dull daily routine and have often had students ask for a story about John if I havent told one in a day or two. John becomes a common friend to the whole calss and seems to bring them together because I use him to make them feel better about the fact that he is much older than them but they have a better understanding of the subject being discussed. (Which proves a point that I often bring up to them...being older doesnt automatically make you smarter. And they shouldnt limit their own abilities based on the fact that they are young)
Hi Sara,
Great way to bring real life into the classroom. By being on weekend duty you have "live" cases to talk about so the students can really see the relevancy of what you are teaching them.
Gary
I teach in the vet tech department and I still work weekends at a vet clinic.....I have a new story(or 6) every week related to the field. Everything from goofy owners to vicious animals, to something I have never delt with before. I want my students to know what it is really like out there and what they will eventually encounter. I want them to know the excitement of an emergency and the heart breaking feeling of not being able to do more....
Always remindng them to be better and push them to want to be the one that can save a life.
Sara Herrlinger
Hi Paula,
I like your use of inspirational stories as dictation content. Hadn't thought of that idea. This way the students are developing skills while receiving an inspiring story or example. Win, win for everyone.
Gary
I love this idea, and have found it helpful in my classes, too! As a court reporting instructor, I am faced with two ongoing challenges that are helped immensely when stories are utilized as part of the instructional content.
1) Much of the dictation I must give to my speed-building students involves dry legal and medical testimony that they will need in their profession. However, many times, these two subjects don't encompass the breadth of vocabulary that they will need to be proficient in taking down a variety of subjects, once they're reporters. I use stories to introduce them to a wider vocabulary, and also to give them something that has 'emotional' pull, to keep up their interest level and break the monotony that legal and medical terminologies sometimes engender.
2) The process of becoming a court reporter is long and demanding, and discouraging too, at times. I use motivational stories (Chicken Soup for the Soul's collection on overcoming adversity, for instance) as dictation material -- with the added benefit of being inspirational and colorful material. Humorous stories are great too, when the humor is appropriate! :>)
Hi Frank,
Great way to tap into the memories of your students. You got your message across, the students retained the content and everyone was able to account for the learning. The story sounds great though the tattoo inside of one's eye makes my eyes water. This is what creative teaching is all about.
Gary
For several years I have tried to communicate the importance of inheritance in c++ programming. I gave 5 lectures on the topic (out of 15 – it is THAT important). I could tell by their glassy eyes that they all understood the topic (until I gave the first assessment.)
I finally created a 20 minute (too long –I know) story. It involved my Granddad, Dad and me. This story included tattooing a recipe in neon ink to the inside of one’s eye (a great metaphor for private data hiding). Five semesters later, other instructors told me they could tell which students had me for the introductory course – they would all wince at certain terms – but they were the only ones in the course that understood the concept. The story had comical metaphors for every aspect of inheritance in programming.
Story telling helps my students relate to doing the job right the first time vs comebacks which can be costly not only to a dealership but to the technician him or herself. I always give them real life situations that i have seen or have been a part of. This adds humaness to the story as well as being factual. many questions arise from this which gets the students more involved.
I find myself using stories that relate to situations that maybe confusing or frustrating to them. It seems to aid in what they are doing in a way they can understand on their level. It applies what they are doing into real world situations.
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for sharing this great idea. You are blending a number of different teaching styles using this approach and it works.
I know your students look forward to the adventures of John so they can strive to avoid making the mistakes he makes.
Gary
