Hi Monica,
Students get it whenever they understand how the course is applied in their career.
Patricia
I often teach required classes that few, if any, students really want to be in. As their future goals are very diverse, there is often little common ground so what excites one, turns off another. They do have graduation as a common goal but surprisingly that doesn't motivate some. Any suggestions?
By using industry specific examples and guest speakers, one can help students understand the relevancy of the course.
Hi Michael,
What a great way to help students better understand this concept. I am sure this method has added a lot of claity.
Patricia
In anatomy I show students relevance to the course by comparing it to the profession of sleep technology by giving them examples when the knowledge is vital.
Example when talking about the nervous system and the brain, showing the different lobes of the brain that corresponds with the electrodes they will place on the patient. These electrodes monitor different lobes of the brain. Also showing the direct and indirect ways sleep effects each body system.
Hi Ramona,
Students love to hear our experiencs/stories as to how we make theory apply to the real world. They get it, when they understand it can be used on the job.
Patricia
I could give examples of how I have used specific elements listed in the course in my bedside practice. Once in teaching a group of junior high school girls the importance of algrebra especially solve for x I showed them how I used it everyday to calculate medications. Multi-media can also be used showing on the job use of elements in the course.
I can show my students the relevancy of the course by demonstrating how the content can apply to them directly. For example, right from the very start, we talk about something simple like attending class on time every morning. I explain to them that when they go out on externship, if they are late, they can be removed from their site. Or, if they get a job and they show up late all the time, they will be fired. It is explained that classtime is as good a time as any to start practicing being an exemplary student so they can, in turn, be an exemplary employee. As we continue through the class, I point out how the learning will apply to them once they get out in the field. You can almost see the delight on the students faces when this happens. For example, if we have a computer class, students are reminded that they may have to type reports for their medical offices so practicing keyboarding now will only serve them in the future. Showing relevancy not only motivates students, it shows there is value in their time and energy spent at the college.
Hi Garry,
The instructor really makes the course. Students enjoy knowledgeable and energetic instructors that can make the course apply to the real world.
Patricia
Hi Joseph,
It really just seems to be more of human nature to remember the not so good and forget about the good. Great way of showing relevancy by giving real life examples.
Patricia
My view point is that the course value is only as good as the idiot standing in front of the classroom. Having students buy into the subject material from the beginning is a good way to create value in the subject being taught, and stop a lot of the problems that may arise. Like most of us some college courses just boarded me to tears, but due to the professors classroom style I hanged in there and the value of their teachings added one or more lines to my resume.
I always try to find real like examples from my experiences in the field. If I can't, I usually can find something online by doing a news search and make it relevant that way. I like to use 2 or 3 positive then a negative, which to no surprise, is the one students tend to remember better. I have even asked extra credit questions on a test when one of the students brings up a relevant example.
Hi Mark,
As educators we should put forth great effort to deliver presentations effectively so that our students learn from them and enjoy them.
Patricia
Effetive Instructional delivery will tie the relevancy of the course by linking various instructionial learning methods back to the syllibus.
I try to give real world expamles using the course content. In this way I can demonstrate the importance of the knowldge. I am fortunate in that I teach classes that directctly progress from one another. This allows me to continually show how the information is relevent to thier knowledge base.
Discussing the students goals and how the objectives help them meet their goals
Hi Betty,
Students have a greater appreciation for a course whenever they fully understand how the course will apply to their career.
Patricia
Identifying specific case examples of patients who benefited from the types of therapy they will be providing once in the clinic. Or maybe cases that did not go so well & why (as it applies to the need for the material they will be expected to learn)
I will try to cite the most moving, most unusual, most humorous cases from my personal experience to engage them in the importance of the material with which they will be presented and expected to learn.
I could use pictures of heart warming scenes between patients and therapists, cartoons or funny pics with captions I provide that apply to the material and skills they will be learning.
I have found that showing relevancy of the course content to my students makes them buy into the content. It gives the content meaning to them.
I teaching baking and pastry to cuisine students. Typically, they don't want to be in the class and I relate it directly to the economy today. I let them know the more tools they have in their tool belt the more valuable they are because in this economy, pastry employees or even the entire department can be eliminated!
