By relating it to real life situations so they can see how what they are learning is applied to the real world.
Hi Linda,
Anytime you can include real life when teaching a concept, students become really engaged and excited.
Patricia
Hi Tom,
Seeing is believing. Anything visual in the educational field can be exciting.
Patricia
Hi Neil,
I know you have great stories to share with your students. Students love hearing personal experience stories. As educators, experience is definitely the best teacher. Continue to teach and motivate your students with your vast practical experience.
Patricia
Hi Guy,
Visual is always capturing to students. As educators, we must remember the vast majority of learners are visual.
Patricia
You can show relevancy by relating to real-life circumstances or cases.
Kevin--I, too have a background in psych wards and residential tx facilities (though I currently teach English Comp!)--so I can fully appreciate your use of videos with your students. Visuals of actual events are not only palpable for students, but taps into visual learners resevoir as well....Nice.
I like to utilize past experiences from the field to show real world relevance to the material at hand.
I myself had many years working in their career choice as a technician in the field as well as within the management side of the business. I get them not only to see their job responsibilities from a technician’s point of view but as well as management’s point of view
I have many paralegals and CJ students in my class of American Government. I ask them to consider ways in which learning about government, its history and current relevance may help them in their work.
I teach Introduction to Psychology and introduction to Sociology to BSN nursing students, with my professional experience rooted in Psych Hospital work, I relate the materials to how it impact the nurse in any elment of his/her job. I use videos alot along with group discussions about the relevancy of covered materials - often times students comment on how much they appreciate it being brought back to howm it impacts a nurse.
I also think it motivates a student to actually see an operating unit(A/C)in action!
I think the hands on approach is the key to showing what's relevant in our courses!
I am a former Director of Career Services, and in every class I teach, one of the very first things I discuss is the relevancy of the subject to their ability to get a job.
As they accumulate knowledge and skills, this can increase their ability to obtain better employment. I correlate the relevancy in such a way that it can demonstrate that this skillset can be used across the board, in any number of diverse employment possibilites.
Hi Cheryl,
They are the best! These students can speak from first-hand experience. They are excellent motivators to others.
Patricia
Hi Jane,
Students love to have stories shared. I am sure you have lots of exciting and interesting stories to share with your students.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
I teach this course as well. At my institution this is either the very last class or next to the last class students take. My students are so excited about the class, they are already sold. I simply add double excitement by letting them know each day they are one day closer to their dream job. I absolutely love teaching this course, and it shows.
Patricia
Hi Jane,
You have great practical experience as a podiatrist. I am sure your experience alone entices students. Experience really is the best teacher.
Patricia
I again use my work experience as a Podiatrist to relate classwork to what they will be doing in there jobs. It is also a great way to get a conversation started when the class is just starting. Once the students get to know me, they begin to freely ask questions pertaining to healthcare.
Teaching a 'first quarter' Career Development class, I first have to help some of my students overcome the 'shock' factor of 'college.' I begin the first class by telling them that this class marks the beginning of their new career. To get from here to there, they must be able to write a resume, conduct an effective interview and be able to dress and act professionally - things that they will learn in my class. Usually, I have them at that point. If not there, then at least after the first 'mock' interview!
Some ways to show relevancy of course content is to use real life examples. When I am learning new content, I find it much easier to retain information if I know why/how i will use it. More over, you can taper a test question for students that puts the scenario in the setting of their future field. For example, writing a math test question for students with possible futures in the medical field. You can use a doctor's order for admisitering medication to set up the scenario/math question.
