Current Events
To motivate students, often I will ask them what they have witnessed in the news or read in a magazine since we last met. Then, we discuss how that topic relates to class. By being able to draw correlations between course material and 'real-life,' students become more motivated to continue learning.
Jennifer
I use current events in the form of articles, each student contributing, for a jumping off point in class, but I have not often used them myself. I think I will also contribute by bringing my own current event article that ties into the learning objectives for that days lesson.
thank you for the idea
Linda
I also try to incorporate current events with my lectures. There are lots of examples in the newspapers every day about the law and how it's changing. My students seem to respond to pop culture references as well. Anytime we can talk about television, movies, or music, they are all excited.
Using current events is a great way to build a bridge from the subject content to real-world relevance.
Not only is this effective but it can be a lot of fun for everyone. It really is a nice way to teach and apply a topic dynamically.
Relating the material to current events and to the stundent dirrectly is an excellant way to bring the subject alive and help them use new talents and skills they have learned in the classroom into the real world.
This is something that I would like to implement. I think that it would encourage students to think about the class content outside of class, and realize how it is relevant in their lives and the lives of others.
Hi Diana,
Two words in my opinion are the key components of instruction. Relevancy and application. You are integrating both with your instructional strategies.
Gary
I often make assignments where students must bring some current relevant news event to the class and present to the class. It helps to make what they are learning relevant to their goals.
Hi Robert,
I can tell you really enjoy teaching your Family Law class. What great material you have with all different issues going on in our culture today. To me this is what makes teaching so much fun, bringing the world into the classroom and helping students to understand the impact the different issues have on their lives.
Gary
as posted elsewhere I THRIVE on the current events input. My Family Law classhas benefited from the ongoing Prop 8 case in CA & the 9th Circuit as well as numerous other developments
Current events are a great idea. I find that students do adapt well to this type of discussion and it gets them interested and talking with one another.
In the medical field there have been current events involving ethics that serve as a good motivator for integrity.
This is a great idea - I never thought of this "current events" technique before but will be using it - thanks for the idea! Lora
