Hi Wendy,
As an instructor, I try to take every situation/scenario and relate it to the real world. Some of our students do not have a clue what it takes to be successful in the professional evironment, and I try to hone in, in this particular area.
Patricia Scales
I also teach in a Middle School as well as this college setting, in My Middle School setting i engage students through my enthusiasm and world-related experiences. I see now that I need to make more connections at the college level teaching mathematics. My biggest chanllenge now is trying to identify a way to make a connection with adult learners that would not be considered juvenile.
Hi Patricia,
I did respond to your email about 24 hours ago. You should have3 it. Thanks,
Wendy Black
Hi Patricia,
I was actually quite pleasantly surprised to read the questions and comments in the forum. They seem to apply to real and commonly shared scenarios as opposed to abstract concepts. I say "pleasantly surprised" because as a lifelong student I've had to deal with those courses were very little of substance was presented. This looks like it will be very interesting.
I'm a "new" instructor. This is my second time teaching a didactic course. I try to relate to the students in terms of what they will gain in the "real" working world. I'm able to do this because I have done what they now want to do. I've presented some projects to be completed in groups by a certain date, but also let them know that if they want to modify the subjects assigned, I am open to that idea provided they can give me a rationale for how it relates to the subject of the class. Some have already come to me with some great ideas of their own so I too get the benefit of a student "think tank"! I also ask personal questions of the students regarding how the course relates to their immediate lives. They of course are not required to respond, but the majority are eager to share with the class. Also- I make sure that everyone can hear everything that's being said. Some students have trouble hearing and are afraid of speaking up about it. For that reason I really control the talking or cell phone issue from the very beginning. Students seem to appreciate my being the "bad guy" in that regard.
Thats part of why after 16 years in the field I enjoy teaching.I get to tell the same stories to new people and never have to hear " you already told us that one dad"
Hi David,
Students love hearing about our professional experiences as they apply to the lesson.
Patricia Scales
I like to share my own personal experiences of working in the field.
Hi Sandy,
I like how you try to tie this commonality into personal so that students can gain a better understanding.
Patricia Scales
I teach psychiatric nursing, an area of nursing that most nursing students are unfamiliar with and are uninterested in so inspiring them is a challenge! One way that I attempt this is during the first class I ask them to raise their hands if they have a family member or a friend who has suffered from a mental illness such as depression or addiction. It is eye-opening for them to realize how mental illness affects everyone. We then begin our educational journey with a more personal and compassionate perspective.
Sandy Mishkin
Hi Clare,
Students have a whole different respect for a course when they understand how the course applies to their career.
Patricia Scales
Hi Daisy,
Tangible learning is good for students. They get excited if they can feel/touch it.
Patricia Scales
I like to engage students in imagining how they might apply this course in their current or future careers.
if I am teaching a venipuncture clinical class, first day is to have them learn how to hold as syringe and the different parts of a syringe. that gets them interested as to what is to come as the class progresses.
Hi Jim,
Students enjoy hearing stories that are applicable to the subject matter.
Patricia Scales
I will give examples and personal experiences of how the course content has influenced me professionally and then ask the class for personal examples pertaining to the course content. This provides an opportunity for the students to engage
Hi Ashley,
I like how you did the quick break, and it pertained to the lesson, thus being effective in two ways.
Patricia Scales
I agree with this. When my students begin to look like the lecture/discussion has drained them of any remaining energy, I involve them in getting up and participating in an activity. One example, was to help with the classifications of motion in dentistry, we all stood up and got in a circle in the back of the class and did a dance that I had learned in my childhood, but was able to explain each movement and relate it back to what we were discussing. There were no more sleepy "deer in the headlights" looks after that.
Hi Karen,
Perfect combination is to mix fun with learning!
Patricia Scales
Hi Quang,
I also like to talk income and bring in classified ads that pertain to the skill set/course they will master.
Patricia Scales
An instructor has to be able to get the students exicted about the course; depending on the class this can be from experience, make sure the students understand and comprehend what you expect from them. You have to make some parts of the classes fun so the students do not become bored.
