Hi Charles,
Students want to and need to know how the skills obtained will be applicable in the workplace. Once students understand how the skill will benefit them, they have an interest in learning the material.
Patricia
By giving examples of how the skills and knowlege they aquire in the course will assist them in excelling in their chosen feild.Giving "real world" experences and the benifits of being the best they can be will help them achieve their goals in a timely manner as well as giving them a real sence of accomplishment.
I like to give my students real world scenarios that I had seen or experienced at the bedside. That gives them a clear picture as to the application of knowledge and concept being taught in the classroom
Einstein once said that, "Example is not A WAY to teach. It is the ONLY way to teach." I like to, at every opportunity, either share some type of real world work experience that I have had or know of from someone else that pertains to the course content. I find that doing so helps to show the relevance, as well as entertains the student and in some instances, turns abstract concepts an principles into things that the student can clearly comprehend.
I believe you can show relevancy of course content by giving them real world examples of where they will actually be using the course content. I also think that having them do hands on activities, getting out and shadowing for a day or interviewing someone in their field about how they use the concepts presented in class in that person's job helps them see the value of the what you are teaching.
As a vocational instructor I give them real world examples of what they face when they graduate, I also try and bring in guest speakers that are employers that can guide them in what they are looking for in an employee, so that the student has a better understanding of what they need to learn and why.
Students need to hear about how a skill learned from this course directly impacted the success of a professional in the field. I teach students working towards becoming health and fitness professionals. In this particular case it helps to give examples of how the skills from a course changed the lives of clients that professionals in the field work with. Much of the first day is dedicated to painting a picture for the students of a client who has had their life changed because their trainer understood and applied the material they learned about the subject matter in this course. I then allow the students to give examples from their own lives of how they feel learning this information may help to impact their own health and well-being.
Hi Stevie,
I am sure there is some lecture in the program, but hands-on is probably more dominant.
Patricia
This is especially true for massage therapists. The only way they can learn massage therapy is by doing.
Hi Stevie,
Sudents seem to really enjoy the doing part of lessons. Most students really grasp the concept whenever they can do it. Excitement is generated by doing.
Patricia
Hi Alonzo,
Ho do you go about showing course relevancy?
Patricia
I cut out job adds and show my students all the jobs that require computer skills.
I teach a lot of writing classes...many students come into the class thinking they don't need to know anymore English.
In the first week of class I have an assignment to focus on this issue. The students need to research their major, talk to their program directors, etc. Their goal is to tell me how they will use writing in their career.
explain to them that i am continueing my education in trying to learn new technics to teach my class and make it interesting. I liked the "ice breakers" for the 1st day of class
I like to provide my students with case studies. I deal with a wide variety of clients with different pathological conditions as well as different muscular and skeletal conditions. I believe that by sharing experiences with my students (and of course keeping my client's names under wraps) they can get a better idea of what is expected of them in the field of massage therapy. Massage therapists seem to learn better by doing instead of lecturing, so I combine the two together.
Hi Curt,
Students need to and want to know how they will benefit from the course. It is an excellent mesh whenever students can see how they will benefit both personally and professionally from the course content.
Patricia
Hi Brandi,
Students seem to be more at ease when they learn you are experienced in the subject matter you are teaching. They also have great excitement whenever they know how they will be able to apply what they are learning on the job. We must show our students how various concepts are applicable to the real world.
Patricia
Hi Marlo,
I like how you make things real to your students. Students need to know what will be expected of them in the workplace. Real life examples are great ways to show course relevancy. Students need to know that they must retain information learned from previous classes in order to better understand current classes, and so that they are able to carry the information with them to the workplace.
Patricia
I am an insurance coding & billing instructor. I always emphasize to my students that not because they finished their terminology class they may start forgetting the words. I tell them over and over that for them to be able to properly code, they should know their anatomic sites and medical procedures. What they are learning in class right now is what they will be using for the rest of their lives if they want to be a coder or a biller. When I lecture I also give examples so that they hear real scenarios about having not only coding correctly but also problems why claims will be denied or rejected.
Showing students how to apply course content
can make the course content very relevant.
