Hi Lance,
Students tend to enjoy it when we share our personal experiences and stories as to how they relate to the course content.
Patricia Scales
Hi Beverley,
Students like to know how what they are learning pertains to the real world.
Patricia Scales
Before I introduce a new concept to the class, I always begin by giving them an example of an actual situation I experience in my career in which the concept was central to the situation. I also give them examples of the consequences of not understanding the concept in a work/team situation.
I like to show students the relevancy of the course by being able to relate course content with my own personal experiences in the field.
During class time I try to relate the material that I am covering with things that our adult learners will be doing or seeing in the future. For example I instruct Veterinary technician courses so as we go through specific aspects of veterinary technology I relate my experiences as a veterinary technician to give an idea of how the material that is being taught relates to real world experiences.
Hi Michael,
Students love it when graduates come back and share the trials and triumphs. Graduate guest speakers are the absolute best!
Patricia Scales
Hi Joel,
Great example to use! I let my students know in Professional Development that really the cover letter is the first impression of them to a prospective employer , and the cover letter needs to be 100 percent accurate in all areas!!
Patricia Scales
I tell students about old student I have had who gave me feedback about what I taught and how they used it in the real world. I also have some students come back and talk with my class early on and tell them how the class helped them in their job.
Give an example of how the course material has applied personally in your work experience. Stress the importance of the course material as it relates to the workplace environment. While teaching Proofreading and Editing, I had the class type out an example cover letter to go alongside a resume to a potential employer, stressing to them the importance of proofreading and editing their letter since that is the first thing a potential employer will see that will reflect their professional skills.
Hi Michael,
Students love it when we get to the bottom line. I like to show them bottom line, but I also make them understand that it is a process to get there.
Patricia Scales
I like to show them end products that they would be delivering in a real world job and how those products will relate to their employment.
Hi Maryl,
I love it! Field trips are awesome! Students get to see all the book theory that they have learned be put into action. A field trip makes the education solid in the student's mind. They can picture themselves working in a similar setting. What a great way to generate excitement from your students. I really like how you put a focus on your students' appearance.
Patricia Scales
I like to show them course relevancy by bringing in guest speakers. For example, we teach a career prep class, and I invited our HR Director to present on types of interviews, types of interview questions, and how to answer them. It was very informative, and I ended up including his Powerpoint presentation in the course curriculum.
I am teaching a group of students that have just finished their general education requirements, and taking their first introductory course specific to their field. I was wanting to get their motivational level up, so I arranged a field trip to our national association head quarters, where they can meet the policy makers in our field. They have to research the organization's web site so they can ask pertinent questions about the role of the organization. Their appearance of course, has to be impeccable, with freshly pressed scrubs and lab coats, a habit I hope they will continue throughout their career. I am hoping that they will see the value of the education they are getting by meeting the professionals that actually wrote the clinical practice guidelines that I have been teaching them about.
I show course relevancy to students by using "WIIFM". I use examples of my personal career as a student who came from a lower socioeconomic background to enjoy a career of more than 25 years in business. I tell them that by learning specific skills and concepts in the course, they will be prepared for the next step in their journey form the educational process to the "real world". I explain the importance of basics, like promptness to class and getting assignments in on time. I tell my students that in my career, I have had to fire management for being 1 minute late. Most do not believe this until I explain in further detail.
Depending on the course, I will take a concept and apply it to my life's experiences. For example during a class on "Principles of Retail" we discussed the importance of proper inventory management and projections. There was an article in the news about my former company dealing with many dissatisfied customers who bought French fries that were not up to expectations. The reason for this was the company was forced to use a different type of potato due to inadequate inventory: a direct result of poor planning. We reviewed the article, the potential reasons for the shortage and the damage done to the company form the complaints. Using current stories from the news is a very effective way to make the course concepts relevant.
The courses I teach fall within the realm of Information Technology. This means that the underlying motivation for my student is to become certified in many of the IT skills so that they can apply for a successful career in one of the many IT career opportunities.
All of the classes I teach provide me with the opportunity to express to the students how the knowledge they will obtain will help them be more successful in performing many of the tasks required by them to be gainfully employed by a prospective employer looking for the skills they have acquired.
Hi Aneesah,
Students like knowing what they are going to be confronted with in the workforce. As instructors we must do our due diligence to prepare our students for the real world.
Patricia Scales
I often use a problem-solution approach as most of my students are senior deicision makers in their respective organizations. I will ask students to contribute to a list of significant issues their organizations are facing. Once the list is generated, I can then apply elements of the course content to those problems as a way to counter their challenges. By doing this I can weave the different key elements of the course into the solution model to show how all the lessons fit together. It also allows me to refer back to key issues throughout the course to add relevance to the material.
I give my students various examples and situations they may be confronted with in the real world. Explaining to them how important it is to be an advocate not only for individual patients, but for their communities as well helps them to see the relevancy of the course.
I teach photography and try to establish as many connections as possible to the course material and "the big picture" - how it serves to enrich their knowledge and understanding of themselves as well as developing skill sets for personal and career advancement. I encourage them to take advantage of opportunities they have as emerging photographers and build entering competitions, working with non-profits, getting work published, joining professional organizations and applying for grants into the curriculum when possible. I want them to see themselves in a larger context than a student in an institution.
