Hi Margaret,
Great approach! Cookies are something that most students enjoy! Super way to teach the concept of qualitative and quantitative.
Patricia
I think examples of professionals who have had success with a deep knowledge and understanding of their discipline compared to attempts by "would be" professionals with less than successful results is a revealing comparison, especially if the examples reverberate with class as being relevant and contemporary.
My students love it when I tell true stories about there field, that relates to the topic we are discussing.
Most times I can relate the subject matter I'm teaching to what I have experienced. I tell my students of the situation that occured and we discuss ways to handle it.
Hi Karin,
If you run a clinic you can share a lot of personal stories/experiences to show course relevancy.
Patricia
Im trying to show relevacny in the clinic that I am currently running.
Show examples of how "XYZ" that they will learn will benefit them personally and professionally.
When teaching chemistry, students often do not take the lab instructions seriously. I started the year off with a take home cookie lab. Students were to use the exact recipe on the package of Nestle's Chocolate Chips and bring their cookies to class the next day. What surprised the students was how differently the cookies looked and tasted. In the end various students admitted that they used margerine instead of butter, or that their mom used alternate ingredients, etc. they learned the importance of qualitative and quantitative attention in their lab exercises.
Hi Terre,
I typically share employment opportunities with my students to get them to buy into the course.
Patrica
Hi Karen,
We have to do whatever needs to be done so that informations locks in the students mind. Students love having a visual, such as writing on the board, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, etc.
Patricia
Besides the syllabus you can write key points on the board as you go over them verbally. Sometimes having the students read the key features helps cement it in their minds.
I know so many areas both courses I took will make its mark! From initial set up, to prep for new class starts. Dealing with problem students and learning from our mistakes. So many area that need to be addressed but aren't crisis... all were addressed in these courses!
One specific area is the buy in. We will assess this question first thing tomorrow!
Well done!
I can certainly appreciate all the comments that I have read on this site and agree with all of them. I, too, use myself as an example in the field as well as a full-time working mother/wife. Being in the field and using real-world examples of how the information in the book is used helps the students visualize the necessity of learning the material. It adds "buy-in" for the students. Learning for learning sake is wonderful if you have the time -- at this time in the students' lives, they want to know and see how this material will be useful for them. I like to see and hear discussion on how learning the material will benefit them out "there!"
Showing relevancy to students makes new learning meaningful, and learning that is meaningful becomes internalized. This can be done by providing examples of how the learning can be applied to career skills. Provide guided practice opportunities for student engagement with hands-on experience. Also provide opportunity for independent practice to apply new learning in meaningful ways to facilitate skill proficiency.
The ability to get students actively engaged and interested in course activities and conscious of requirements depends on the effectiveness of the instructor in explaining the relevance of the course to their professional growth and career development in the first class.
An indepth description of the course with reference to it's application to career goals can get the students motivated and determined to perform well.
Personally, i always let my students know the content of the course and how it will enable them succeed in their chosen field of endeavors. For example, in teaching procedures like checking a pulse, i let them knoew that physicians and health centers are looking for medical assistants who can accrately and reliably check a patients pulse, a skill that they wuld acquire if they participate actively in my course.
Dr. Mmuo.
Through my many years of experience I tell them if I had known what you know now or what you have just learned i would have had a more successful outcome.
Hi Kristy,
I agree! Once students understand how the information can be applied to the real world, the understand the importace of the course.
Patricia
The way that I show relevancy to my course is referring back to real situations or equipment that was used in my previous work experience. It makes it easier for the students to relate or understand why the information we are teaching is important.
Hi Geary,
Excellent idea! This makes it real for the students. The students can really relate book theory to real action. Students understand it better when it is made practical.
Patricia
Hi Francis,
How do you go about showing relevancy of the course content?
Patricia
