Hi Michael,
Nice. I like to explain to students how the course is going to benefit them in their career!
Patricia Scales
I use handouts and give them to the students, using case studies of the subject matter. I will attempt to get as much input from the students. I will also place students in separate groups and let them discuss the case question and report to the class on their findings
First and foremost, I believe the enthusiasm of an instructor who is passionate about their field will elicit an almost immediate buy in from students. From there, demonstrating or giving a mental image of a student working in the field of their chosen career can also be a very powerful tool to obtain course buy in.
Question: What would you recommend an instructor do if they try and try and yet cannot seem to get the 'buy in'?
1) explaining relevancy to their career choice
2) give specific examples of how specific information from the course has applied to real life situations in my own professional career as a veterinarian
I am an excited person and I tell the students that this is my favorite subject I am going to teach. My students get involved in my lecturing and they get excited to learn more.
I teach radiology and one of the best ways to get course buy in from my students is to use past field experiences to get their attention. I use some of the most unusual experiences from when I worked nights in the ER. Students love stories and by hearing some of my experiences, it keeps them engaged because they want to graduate and have some of their own wild experiences to share one day!
Hi DOUGLAS,
I understand! Sometimes you have to take that step though to let your students know who is in control. Even adult students will take advantage of you.
Patricia Scales
IOt has had to be done more than once. As we in HVACR have trasnsioned to the I pad I have found students playing video games, facetime and obsene searches they like to play around with. It is much easier to show then the value of what they have into the education than cause friction in the class by disipling all that do these type of things. Do not get me wrong many of the students have said for what I am paying for I have no time for that. When the barrel sits in the middle of the room the ones doing what is right for themselves always understand my point. Unfortunatly I deal with many differnt personalities evey new term and sometimes I need to grab their attention, It is never pleasant to have to take that step.
Hi DOUGLAS,
That barrel serves as a visual for students. Students better understand when they can see it! No one likes throwing away money, education, time, etc. Great use of visual aid to help promote buy in from students. Seeing is definitely believing.
Patricia Scales
I have found that different activities for advanced students to be done with ones not keeping up tends to bring the (hate to say it but) slacking students to see the value of the subject or education aspect. I have brought the trash barrel into the center of the class and explained to them that when they do not participate or are engaged with the studies then they are throwing approximately 100 dollars in the barrel every day. Fortunately I have only had to do that twice as an instructor. It does get them to understand the commitment they have made and could be losing the future goal as well. I tend to find the challenging student that are interested but not as advanced more a challenge for myself. I have become since starting to be able to read the students in a shorter period of time since I have been here, and when they see me concerned about the class or an individual they tend to work with each other to reach their goals. It is rewarding when a student realises the value of what I want to bring to him.
Hi Robert,
Students become more interested in and excited about the course when they fully understand how the course is either going to benefit them personally and/or professionally.
Patricia Scales
Hi Maria,
Excitement begins with the instructor! Your enthusiasm will certainly rub off to your students. Students love an energetic instructor.
Patricia Scales
I think the best way to get them to buy in is to first explain the relevance of the information - how or why they will benefit from the information; second make it relateable to the student. Part of the get to know period is put to use by using the students real experiences as examples of how to incorporate the coursework into their particular environment.
Straightway I show the students how accomplishment of the Course Objectives will facilitate their educational goals and also apply the knowledge set learned to the eventual practice of the skills in the workplace.
To be honest, I felt like the first day of classes for me was usually all about getting overwhelmed with how much work there is to be accomplished in the next few months in all of my classes. I really like this perspective of using the syllabus to help students buy in to the class. In the future I will go over the assignments in the syllabus as an opportunities list and tell the students, "this is a list of all that you have an opportunity to learn, digest, and think about this semester."
A second language is a very rich field for motivation. Students can almost immediately see an advantage for an employer preferring to hire a medical assistant, or a business employee who can use the language, rather than pay for an interpreter every time they have a patient or a client who needs help. I expect my enthusiasm for their success through my love of languages, teaching and experience to be contagious.
Hi David,
Students love hearing inspiring stories! We need to do whatever needs to be done in order to motivate our students. Students need something to look forward to, and we as educators need to spark their curiosity every day.
Patricia Scales
Hi Carole,
Absolutely you have it! Students need to know how they are going to benefit from the course. Excitement begins with the instructor.
Patricia Scales
Good Post Alan using FUN to get a student to buy in keeps them interested and makes things much more enjoyable
Dave Coker
Great Post Eric...you have to connect with the students in some way to have a common denominator and a place to start.
Dave Coker
