Hi Glenn,
When students understand how they can benefit either or both personally/professionally from the course, they buy into the course.
Patricia
I tell them that I have been very successful in my field, and if they want to be successful also, they should listen to what I have to tell them.
More than anything I try to tie in releavancy. It must be an asset they percieve as useful to their success on some level. I don't feel it always has to earth shattering but the connectivity must be reasonable and applicable to the lay person as they execute daily duties or deal with challenges. The other is to be authentic and real when discussing issues, because in most case they see through the smoke and mirrors. The byproduct or result of those tactics you loose your credibility.
I help students realize the relevancy of the course material to their own careers. Since I teach writing, I gather many writing scenarios to show to students that writing goes beyond just summary of what we read, watch, and observe. We must analyze all situations in life in order to make valid decisions for careers, relationships, and simply making purchases.
I stress critical thinking and use those strategies to help students buy into the course and understand the value of the course content to their own lives.
When I was working on my master's degree in hospital administration, I always appreciated the instructors I had that worked in the hosital setting in the day and taught at night. Their insight into the hospital setting was invaluable to all of the students.
Hi Kenan,
You have a wealth of information to share with your students based on first-hand experience. I can certainly see how your applicable stories will get automatic buy in from your students. Your students are fortunate to have you as their instructor.
Patricia
I am a professional in the field of work related to the courses I teach. I find it very effective for the students to see first hand how the course content applies to the work I do. I share first hand experiences with the students which seems to peak their interest to a great extent.
I use a lot of real experiences to get my students involved right from the beginning. Since I mainly teach MS Office and computer classes, the only way they can understand the material is to see what the end result of their class will bring for them. I focus on what the students already know versus what they are going to learn and build from week to week. Many instances the varied learning styles play a major role and the competency of students who know computers versus those who know very little. It's an ever changing strategy, but the main focus is that my students know right from the start expectations and real world experiences.
Hi Tammy,
When students understand how the course will benefit them in their career, they develop a keen interest in the course. I like your main goal, afterall we are in this industry to impact lives for the better.
Patricia
Hi Gil,
What an impressive response! Rapport building with your students is very important. The connection makes for a smoother transition in the classroom. Graduates can shed a lot of light with current students to inspire and motivate them. I truly believe that excitement is contagious, and it really begins with the instructor.
Patricia
Some creative strategies you use to help get course buy in from your students is showing them how the course can help them within their future careers. "What's in it for them!" Also, making sure I meet them where they are in terms on their individual learning styles. Finally, to be flexible.
Hi Patricia,
I feel that it is very important to have the students and teachers begin the steps to forming a learning partnership on the first days of each course.
During our first few sessions, I feel it is important to discuss career opportunities related to thier chosen field and immediately align the course content with students' individual career goals.
I also think it is important to share graduate success stories, sometimes inviting graduates to participate in informal discussions on difficulties they may have experienced with subject material. It is sometimes a great motivator to hear a graduate identify how they overcame these obstacles and give practical examples of how they benefit from teh material currently.
Many of our students are training to enter a career in the entertainment industry. I think it is important to relate course and lesson material to subjects or mediums the students may already be familiar with. I might be able to associate course content with a popular television show, blockbuster film, successful theatre performance, or high-fashion runway show.
Finally, I think that it is important for the students to see how excited and passionate I am about my industry and the course content I teach. If I am not excited about what I teach, it is likely they will not be either.
Gil Romero
I teach computer information. I tell my students what the course is all about, how it will impact their professional career, and I always let them know they can come talk to me and discuss any problems or concerns they are having with the class. I will be glad to help them during class, give them a buddy, and even work with them before and/or after class. My main goal is for my students to succeed.
Hi Pamela,
Competition can certainly be a good thing. As mentioned, it makes everyone work harder, thus getting a better grade.
Patricia
Hi Brian,
Sudents see the relevance when they understand how the skill/course can be utilized in the workplace.
Patricia
Thank You Patricia,
I use my experience with the course material to explain why this is important to my students. By using a “real world†example, I try to demonstrate the need to understand a certain subject matter or employ a new skill set that will be beneficial to the student once they hit the work force.
Having worked many years in the field in which I teach, I always have examples of the practical application of a particular course's content and how the course material will apply in the working world. These examples seem to show students the relevancy of what they will learn during the course.
By being excited and delivering the project/course with enthusiasm for the topic. I have also found that making projects a competition gets them motivated to be the winner. They work hard trying to be the best when in reality it causes everyone to do a better more thorough job.
Hi James,
Great information to share with students. Whenever students realize how relevant the information is to their career, they buy in from that point because they understand now how the class will help them.
Patricia
I always take some time at the beginning of a new class to talk about the information that will be covered and how that will relate to the students future or current work environment. I also try to tie in how the information that will be covered helped me in my profesional journey.
