Hi Jack,
These are certainly great ways to show course relevancy. I especially like the idea of shadowing. I am sure shadowing helps with placing interns.
Patricia
After covering a body system have a guest speaker come in and speak on that system, and watch the light come on when the students see it really is relevant.
There are a number of different ways one can show course relevancy. Depending on the course content you can have someone currently working in the field come in and speak to the class. This method is always productive because the students will hear from a different source beside yourself. Another could be by showing something in the media that relates to the subject matter that is being taught.
As a Massage Therapy Instructor, I show my students the advantages of learning many differant modalities. I do this by sharing my experiances, by bringing in guest speakers, by taking field trips and by having them "shadow" seasoned Massage Therapists.
Hi Dale,
You are right, you can not always show relevancy by relating concepts to the workplace, but it is certainly motivating to the students when you can show this relationship. We must be honest with our students. Thank you for being honest.
Patricia
I like to get their input in writing. Telling me what they think the course will help them accomplish, reinforces their reasons for being in class and reminds them of their main goal. Since my subject deals with second language instruction,
it isn't difficult for them to see the necessity of the skills being taught. However, I like to give them motivational shots in the arm, and I've found Youtube segments on Jim Rohn to be effective in bringing a perspective of success into the mix.
Showing a student that a particular course is relevant to him and his career objectives sometimes requires going beyond "you'll need to know this for the job you seek" because sometimes that's not true.
I often explain that the content of a course may be viewed as a platform of concepts upon which we'll be able to elevate future discussions. At other times students are satisfied to know that 95%+ of the general population does not know or understand what they, the students, will know and understand when the course is completed.
Hi Millicent,
Great points made! It is important for students to know how the subject will help them in their career.
Patricia
Hi Donald,
What a great way to show how practical this knowledge was by being able to assist the urologist. Students love and need to hear about practical experience so that they become really excited.
Patricia
when I teach the urinary system I explained how useful it was to know this system as I worked for a urologist and it made it alot easier when he spoke to me and I knew what he was talking about.
I always like to use "real world" material from my job to show my students what is actually happening, what happened that week or that day, and oftentimes point out a newspaper article reporting on something I was involved in.
Since I work in the field I teach, I often give the students an example of what I did that day and how I handled what is for me a common occurrence, but might befuddle them when they first begin.
Students want to know that the courses they are taking are relevant to their chosen career, also that the knowledge gained can be used to in achieving their career, it is very important that:
1. The instructor reinforce continually that the information shared and skills taught in the class will be helping in achieving career goals.
2. Demonstrate and involve students in hands on application of skills, have examples materials,working equipments.
3. Plan field trips, bring in experts in the areas, past students, and guest speakers to do presentations and share experiences with students.
Hi Gregory,
Students need to and want to understand why they are taking a particular course. Once students understand the why, they are so much more in tune as to what is going on.
Patricia
Hi Robert,
I agree. The instructor needs to get excited about the subject matter. Students can tell the love you have for what you are teaching.
Patricia
It is always important to remind adult learners what they are doing is related to their specific field of choice. Taking the time to explain why each topic is important and how it relates to the previous and next topic, will help the individual understand the relivence. If an adult learner does not stay engaged or understand why something is important, they will loose interest quickly. Constant reminders are the way to go.
I think one of the best ways to show relevancy of the course content to the student is to have a "passion" for the subject material yourself. It's especially important when the subject material is basic backround information that doesn't necessarily fit in to the psychomotor aspects of the profession.
Hi Bonnie,
When students understand the importance of the course and how it will definitely help them on the job, they tend to gain an interest in the course. Students need to and want to know why.
Patricia
I think the students need to see that there is a reason for the material that is being covered. And in doing so it has to also be relayed in a way that shows the importance.
Hi Randy,
Students tend to be more motivated whenever they understand why they need to learn a particular concept. Students really become excited when guest speakers validate what they have been told by the instructor.
Patricia
