By having a complete syllabus with assignments and due dates highlighted and in bold print. Have the goals and objectives for the students and explain them. You can also have activities ready to have the students work together to realize the objectives.
I teach keyboarding, I have had students go out on the Internet and find a job they would like after graduation. Look at the requirements and tell the class what job you selected and in what areas do you think you will use your keyboarding skills and how important is accuracy. This gives them the connection to the real world, into the career they have chose and shows the importance of proper keyboarding skills.
Hi Kevin,
I like to tell my students how the course applies to their career.
Patricia Scales
At the start of the course introduce yourself and give a background about yourself and give examples of your expertise in the field. I then have the students introduce themselves and tell the other students what they want to do in their field of study. During their response I will highlight things that we will be doing in the course that will make it relevant to what their interest is.
Since I teach mathematics, I show students the relevancy of my course by showing them how it applies to there more technical courses. I often find my students saying, "I don't really need to learn this because the computer will do all the work for me." Because of this statement and others similar I began bringing in the textbooks that they would have to use as they progressed through their program and showed them how learning the material I was teaching directly relates to what they will lately learn. I also have guest speakers that work in their desired field to come in and tell them how they use math on the job every day.
Hi YuLong,
That's right for anyone to gain experience, you must start new. At some point we all have been new to a particular profession.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rita,
I concur! Students enjoy hearing applicable personal experience of the instructor as the experience pertains to the lesson/subject matter.
Patricia Scales
Hi Aimee,
Sudents love it when the instructor can share practical experience as it pertains to the course.
Patricia Scales
In the medical field, I always try to tell the students that everyone starts the same way and builds on their knowledge. I also tell them that they have the right to be new.
The way I can show the relevancy of my course is to tell the student about my experience in the working world in reference to the course that they are presently taking. A student should know the important of giving a class their all. Not waiting to the last minute to study and applying themselves. You should also try and make the study feel comfortable and relaxed. when a student is more at ease they usually are more productive.=-)
I give examples of cases from my work in clinics. Since I still work in the field on a day to day basis it highlights the relevance of their class material. I try to use alot of real life cases & let the students problem solve using cases from my clinical work.
Hi Stephen,
Wow, what an abundance of experience. Your students are fortunate to have you as their instructor. There is nothing that you do not know about this field. You have great applicable stories to share with your students, I am sure.
Patricia Scales
I am an instructor in an Electrical Technician certificate program. With over 35 years of field experience, I often relate course work to real life experience. I find this "drives home the point" and keeps my students interested in the topic.
Hi Christopher,
Students love it when we make learning apply to the real world. We need to give our students exactly what they need to be successful in the workplace.
Patricia Scales
Hi Chris,
I concur! Students do not want to have their time wasted. Everything that is taught should be able to help the student either or both personall/professionally.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rene,
Most students do no retain very much of what they have been taught. It is a great idea to make learning as visual as possbile in order to help students retain information.
Patricia Scales
I do the same. I often refer to my own personal experiences as to why the course material and curriculum is what it is. Adult learners don't want to waste time learning something that isn't relevant to their career choice. It is almost like they don't have time for unnecessary material.
Good Morning Patricia,
One way to show my students the relevancy of the course is to describe real life examples that they are likely to encounter after they graduate from their medical laboratory technology program. For instance, several students failed two laboratory practicals because they "killed" their patients. I go through each of the steps that is required to ensure that they do not harm the patient.
A second way that I show my students the relevancy of my course is to give my students case studies. Although I only have five students for this course, it still is interesting seeing how they think about problems. This not only engages the students in critical thinking skills, but, it allows me to evaluate how they interact with their peers.
Have a great day!
Chris
I inform the students of situations I have been in and examples of when I had to use the knowledge of the lesson in a real life career situation. I also like to explain to the students why it is so important for them to remember the lesson we are covering
I use my real life situations to make the topics more relavent. If I have done it, I find it easier to teach as well as get the students interested. I also give them real life situations when we practice skills and make our lab as "real world" as possible. It seems to help them a lot when we do get to the "real world" hands on
