Hi Thomas,
Students love it when you can apply learning to the real world.
Patricia Scales
Telling the students what will benefit them in the course and how it will relate to real life applications can get them excited about the material. Everything needs to applicable.
I warn students that the course is difficult (giving them a real idea of what to expect) but not in a way that scares them off. It is done to challenge them to rise up to the level they need to be at to pass. Also, I emphasize what they will get out of the course and how they will use it everyday in their profession.
As an instructor, show the students enthusiasm. Also, provide a variety of activities rather than lecturing every class period.
I tell my students that this course is very important because what they are learning is like being a doctor in our field. They go out on the refrigeration or air conditioning equipment and have to see, hear, smell and figure out why it is not cooling properly. They must have the knowledge to troubleshoot and repair that piece of equipment ASAP. A cooler or freezer could have $10,000-$15,000 worth of food in it and it has to cooled down to preserve it and so that people won't get sick after consuming the products. They have an important task to perform so they need to learn this information to help them in their career!
Curtis
I enjoy discussing the topics in the text, and immediately relating them to real-life experiences. The students seem to enjoy the stories on the first day (and thereafter), and it immediately builds credibility.
I try to share relevant information related to field work, as well as stories, but I also briefly discuss some of the chapters in the text and how what the students are about to learn is important.
The way I get students excited is to give them real-life examples of what we are covering during the class. This gives them an opportunity to look forward to life after college.
Hi Renee,
Great response! When students understand course relevancy as it applies professionally/personally they have more of an interest in the course. Adult students want to know the benefit.
Patricia Scales
I always try to find a way to apply course content to "real life" situations for students. For instance, if I'm teaching methodologies for college/career success, I will share specific examples from my own life to illustrate how--learning the very skills I'm teaching the students--helped me through various situations in the past. I will invite students to share similar experiences as a way of relating the course content to our lives outside of the classroom. My hope is that, as students begin to understand the relevancy of course content (and can equate it to the world at large by visualizing positive results), they will become more excited to continue learning new skills that they may succcessfully apply in the future.
Go through some simple practical exercises that can be used in everyday life at the beginning of the course.
Leon Guendoo
My students love to go into the lab and practice what they have learned in class. They also love to hear about my personal experiences in the field, as it gives them an idea of how things will be when they get out of school and start their career.
Tell them about my real world experiences
Relate to real world experiences. martin
Real world examples. Geting the students excited about what to expect, and how rewarding their education can be.
I tell them that they will be more successful as future employees or employers in their own businesses after completing the course. I also mention to them that the more skills they have, the more hireable they will be. They are limiting themselves if they go through the course with tunnel vision. Telling them some of my real-life experiences in the same field makes the subject matter more relevant.
Hi Tabitha,
I like the idea of socailization. Students tend to be more at ease when they know they have support from their peers.
Patricia Scales
Hi Michelle,
It is obvious to tell those who are there for the paycheck, and those who have teaching in our hearts. If teaching is truly your passion, it is easy to get students excited about what they are learning.
Patricia Scales
Let them know what projects that you will be doing throught the semester. Also do several group and class room activities so they can socalize with there peers. It can be intimidating to students not to have friends or someone they can connect with in the class.
I agreed I can see it with my instructors the ones who enjoy what they are teaching and the ones who are here just for the paycheck.
