Hi Jeff,
You are right! It takes great practice in order to master a skill. I teach typing, and I let my students know in order to become better you must practice every day. Typing is not something you can study to learn how to do, you must do it and practice so that mastery is obtained.
Patricia
Hi Kyla,
I teach various levels of Document Processing. I have created PowerPoint presentations based on the various business documents that are covered in the class and the importance of them in the workplace. Students love the presentations. They fully understand the relevance of the various courses.
Patricia
Hi Sidney,
Military in itself really teaches strong discipline. All of our students can benefit from the topic, discipline.
Patricia
I try to show them how the material can benefit them in performing their jobs. Sometimes this can be a challenge because our courses deal with a broad range of military topics which don't apply equally to all students.
Hi Jennifer,
Once students understand how the course will be beneficial to their program, they automatically take a keen interest in the course.
Patricia
I get students to buy in to a course by showing them where, how, and why the course is relevant or important to their chosen career path.
I'm currently in my 4th term of teaching Document Processing (typing) and I've noticed that a lot of students find it difficult to find the value of the course. A lot of them are either proficient at typing already or have just enough keyboarding skills to get by. As part of my introductions, I ask them to fill out an index card with general information, including their major. I then take a moment and try to relate the value of typing with each career goal. If they don't seem to buy into that idea, I usually point out that being proficient in typing will also benefit them throughout the rest of their coursework, since it could potentially help them to decrease the amount of time they spend typing a paper. After reviewing the previous material, though, I think I may try an additional technique by pointing out the various business documents that are covered in the class and demonstrate their importance within various career settings.
I usually present the info from the book and mate it frequently with life examples.
This had been quite a challenge for the course I teach. I have the students brain storm ways they can use the course info in their future careers and they come up with several great examples. I am amazed at how well it works when you have them tell you the answer, rather than trying to convince them.
Hi Willis,
I let my students know that knowledge is power. Knowledge also makes you extremely marketable.
Patricia
I will sometimes explain how learning a certain skill set changed my career path. Learning how to write Happy Birthday out of chocolate on a cake, plate, or platter is a fundamental skill set for a pastry chef. Many times for the student it is very difficult for them to master this skill, I explain the process I went through to achieve the level of mastery. Many students to not understand that they have to practice at a skill befor they can master it, they see an instructor do it, and it seems easy. Then hen they try it, it is not as easy as they percieved it to be, so they want to give up. Finally, I explain that once I was able to master this skill my colleagues viewed me differently, as a pastry chef not a pastry cook any longer.
I teach IT courses. I ususally will have a couple that have competencies coming into the course. Then I have the remainder of the class has never seen what we are about to discuss. To get everyone involved and interested. I tell the class as a whole that we are going to have fun and I guarantee that everyday you will learn something in my course. If I get ahead in a course I may have some time where I ask the students what they would like to do. Hands on work, go over a troublesome section, or whatever they want,except leave early.
In Culinary school, the majority of learners have some degree of passion coming in. I find that I can prepare my students for aquiring knowledge by imagining what possesing it will mean to them
Hi Jeff,
How do you get them to be open to learn, if they aren't?
Patricia
I feel that I am in able to get the students to buy into the importance and revelavency of the course the more open they are to learning and ultimately mastering the couse subject.
Hi Scott,
I do the same thing. This is a great psychological approach that generates immediate excitement for a topic in the future, therefore the students are waiting.
Patricia
Hi Michelle,
When students respect you, they try in every way to please. They make an effort to buy in to the course.
Patricia
I may use current events, newspaper articles or stories of my thirty years as a police officer to allow the students to settle in, feel comfortable and know they can ask questions
I find it is necessary to validate thoughts of the students. Giving validation even when I disagree with a complaint shows I respect their thoughts. Once I validate, the student will most likely be more open to listening to another perspective. The assignments have validity and a purpose for their personal growth and development. When we give respect we will usually get buy in!
Hi Davey,
Money is a great motivator. Money should be used at every appropriate opportunity to generate excitement. Students love it when we talk about money.
Patricia
