I feel that this is key for success in any course Grace Haines Dayton Ohio
Hi Grace,
How do you go about showing course relevancy to your students based on the courses you teach.
Patricia
Hi Doris,
Absolutley! As long as you can show relevancy and how the student will benefit both personally and/or professionally normally they get in.
Patricia
Many students are not interested in courses that do not directly pertain to their major field of study. They need to be shown how the knowledge gained from each course will be used when working in their field. For example, good communication skills are necessary in any position. The skills learned in writing classes will enable them to communicate with their peers and supervisors, and will help them advance in their careers.
I thought this was helpful and look forward to much more Grace Haines
Hi Chuck,
There is a must that you have to get students to understand WHY they are taking the course. Once the student understands, the student has a greater appreciation for the course and the instructor.
Patricia
I am teaching Career Development and the students love when they have a hands-on role to play. For example, they have to research, draft, and develop a resume and cover letter for use in applying for work. They see this as a very practical skill and one that they can use to successfully gain employment. The attendance is always 100% for this section of the course and the motivation to learn soars.
I am an instructor in a vocational school that instructs in the refrigeration field, as to theory and servicing. My course teaches residential house wiring in conjunction with the National Electrical Code. I often hear "what does house wiring have to do with refrigeration?"
Because of this, I attempt to show the relationship of the two fields almost on a daily basis. "Without proper electrical wiring there will be no cooling!"
I like the ideas of talking about salaries and showing job ads.
I think the most important thing is for the instructor to under the relevance of the course. If you understand how this course will relate to the field of study or to real life situations then you can excite the student by giving them examples. I teach medical assisting and I am a nurse so I know how things will relate out in the real world and I try to be honest with the students about this information.
Hi Alison,
I also like to mention how the course will prepare them for the real world and the potential of their income.
Patricia
I just got the email, I don't check this email but once a day. I didn't read where questions would come by email. I just picked forums to post in.
But to answer the question, the way I show relevancy in my Criminal Justice is by explaining how the job is done and relating it to what they learn. I have done the job for 27 years and usuaully can relate the material to an aspect of the class. I teach theory and real life application in my courses.
I agree, because adult learners are motivated to succeed most often, to obtain the job opportunities they hoped for when they signed up for school. As educators, it is important to teach real world skills and knowledge to our students, so they feel their courses are relevant to their new jobs.
I like to go on line or bring in the classified section of the newspaper and show my students the available jobs for thier specific feild and the wages if posted to get them excited about their oppurtunities in the real world.
Outline the course content and related subject so students can prepare and identify specific course content.
Hi Tonetia,
Once the student can make the relationship and determine that they can benefit, they tend to see the relevancy.
Patricia
It is very important to give specific examples of how the students will need to draw on the information they are learning as you are teaching them. It definately makes them sit up and pay attention when these actual examples are discussed. It also excites them that they now know how to handle a certain work-related situation when it arises. It enables them to evision themselves in the actual workplace dealing with the situation you're discussing.
I have found that the best way to do this is to make sure that they the student(s) keep in mind exactly why they started the program weither they wanted more money, a better life for their family , or what ever they understand that every thing they do in this this class is going to be based on the fulfilling of the goal that they started out with. This will give them the motivation that they need to continue on weither the course is to hard to much reality or anything else that they may believe a reason that they don't want follow through with. The responibility that they accept now will help them in the long run in so many ways and I always let them know how will they have done and how important it is to keep up the good work
Connect it to the goals they plan to achieve.
Hi Jennifer,
Once students realize that concepts can be utilized in the real world they automatically become excited and interested. We all want to know how this is going to benefit me...
Patricia
