I like to show how the course content will help them in the profession they have chosen. There is a place for what they are studying in their chosen profession.
Hello Rachel,
You are on point! You are using a super tactic by using examples of your own work experiences and how they relate to get students interested and involved in course content. Students love it when an instructor care share practical experiences and not just book knowledge. Students have a profound interest in the course when they learn from the instructor how the class will help them in their future career choices. Students welcome the opportunity to ask questions, and I too do not sugar coat responses--good or bad.
Patricia
I like to use examples of my own work experiences and how they relate to what the students will learn in that particular class. I feel as if I can keep my students more interested by telling them how the class will help them in their future career choices. I also encourage lots of questions and give honest answers.
Hi Linda,
It is definitely important to go over the course purpose and topics to be covered, this information sells the student on coming back to class every day. Students want to know why and what they will be learning. Students get real excited when they tour the facility because they feel they are apart of the college. Also, it gives students something to look forward to when it is a discussion about the various machines they will be trained to use. I have found that team effort is a great learning tool because sometimes students can learn from other students better than they can from the instructor.
Patricia
My school is related to Electrolysis. I like to go over the purpose of our course,and the topics covered. Then we have a tour of the facility and discuss all the machines the students will be trained to use.
We explain to the students that their learning expierience is a team effort. They will learn not only from their instructors, but also from fellow students, with questions and interaction in the course.
Hello Joseph,
It is imperative that students understand the WIIFM of the course on the very first day. The whole WIIFM concept sells the student on coming back to class the next day. I am in agreement, the course requirements should be directly related to world experiences. Students tend to grasp information more readily when things are related to practical experiences.
Patricia
We address the WIIFM, some type of prop or teaching aid greets the students first day. Course requirements are related to real world experiences by our instructors.
Hey Deborah,
Students enjoy hearing practical experiences. I have only had one career path, which is teaching for 18 years, therefore I have guest speakers to come in to share experiences from the real world. Students thoroughly enjoy guest speakers. The students get to pick the guest speaker's brain from a practical perspective. Students really want to hear the goods and the bads of various career paths, and they are anxious sharing their stories as well. An open forum creates alot of excitement in the class setting.
Patricia
I really like to share my own experiences out in the workforce with my students. I tell my class the positive and the negative sides that I've encountered over the many careers paths that I have had and have them share their experiences as well. It helps to have an open forum, plus find common ground amoungst some of the students.
Hi Pam,
There are many students who are visual learners; they like to actually see something. The sight of things normally bring about a great discussion. My institution is strictly business related, and I always take a sample of a completed portfolio (a job search tool) that had been created by another student to use for show. The actual portfolio shows the student exactly what is required of them.
Patricia
My school is related to the funeral service industry. In my class, I bring in an actual casket and we look at the casket. Discussions always arise at that point. That gives a very natural lead in to the expectations of the class along with the requirements involved in successfully completing the requirements.
Hi Tom,
You are right the discussion must not be fake. Students can easily pick up on any discussion when it is not sincere. Students enjoy discussions when the discussions are nonfake and exciting, and you are working toward the ultimate goal. Listening is always important to any part of instructions.
Patricia
Hi Godo,
You are exactly correct, you must give students a good explanation of the course topics as well as the applications in the market place. Students love to know how this course is going to apply to their career. Students often wonder how am I going to personally benefit from taking this course? You must be able to make a student believe that a particular course has a purpose in the workplace based on their chosen field of study.
For every course that I teach, I always present a PowerPoint presentation on the first day of class based on the following:
*Purpose of the Course
*Skills gained from taking the course
*Topics Covered
*Possible career from having gained this skill
I can tell from your comment you give a thorough explanation as well on getting students interested and involved in course content.
Patricia
A good explanation of the course topics and their application in the market place with their many personal benefits.
