Hi Hector,
Students love it when we make it as practical as possible. YouTube has excellent clips to share with students as they apply.
Patricia
Hi Sharon,
Students get it and understand the relevance of the course if they know that it will be utilized in their field.
Patricia
To enlightend my Report Writing for Criminal Justice, I take my students to the firing range and give them an opportunity to shoot a handgun at a picture target that depicts different people with various weapons at various distances coming at them. After firing multiple shots, each student is required to write a report that describes the who, what, when, where, why, weapons, and how it happened. The purpose of this training is to give students a real life look at what they might encounter on the job or as a private citizen. Students who are watching other students shoot are to write a witness statement as to what they saw. Also, this has been very successful in teaching "use of force" reports. Students are provided instructions on the safe handling and use of the handgun prior to using it.
I show students how it will apply in the field. A student may love the clinical skills but may not like the administrative part of it so much. I will show them how learning health insurance will also relate to drawing blood by having forms filled out completely and accurately.
I personally like to bring real life examples into the classroom. Sometimes that is me, and the 17 plus years of industry experience, but I like to also find innovative video clips that intergrate into the class discussion. My students seemed to enjoy seeing the practical application of what they are learning.
That's what students find motivating to get over their own concerns, if I share my own fears and how I coped, as well as stories that are relevant to their handling situations in the future. Even giving them scripts in answer to: "what do I say...?" Stress reduction allows them to be open to seeing themselves in those situations.
So far I think this course has just reinforced many of the techniques I already use. It also gave me some insight I evil explore in the future.
Hi Shelley,
Involvement is what students need. A lot of role playing, hands-on, simulations, group work, etc. make these type classes very exciting, interesting, and fun.
Patricia
I am a medical assistant instructor for the laboratory and skills portion. So by the time they reach me they have had most of the tedious classes. I have been told by other instructors I teach the "fun" classes but what I teach is the heart and soul of there career.
I show lots of enthusiasm for what I instruct and get them involved.
My students want to know how they can use the material on their jobs tomorrow. Since I work full time in the accounting and management field I can give them exact examples of how the material is used in real life and on the job. They really like this and then they understand the importance of what they are studying.
Hi Stacy,
Students get a great sense of excitement when they know how the content applies to their life goals.
Patricia
Hi Jesse,
Your students are fortunate to have you as their instuctor and also as a part of their network. You have valuable life experiences that your students can benefit from.
Patricia
My profession is what I am teaching my students to do. I have worked in this profession for many years. For this In mhy community I am well know in my profession and consided to be amont the top practitioners of my skills. I can definately relate our course information to what my students will be doing for a living. I use it every day myself.
compair there life goals to content.
Hi Robin,
We use this scenario with patient charting with our medical assisting students, and they love it. Students love it when things are more real as to how they pertain to the workplace.
Patricia
You can demonstrate how it would be used in their chosen career (i.e. dental charting--learning the surface names of teeth-- these are charted on a daily basis in a patients' chart or in thier computer profile--have the students make up a patient chart for themselves and call out different charting scenarios for them to record in their chart.) This demonstrates a real life situation they will encounter on the job as a dental assistant.
Hi Kevin,
Absolutely! Students like knowing that they can benefit from the material and/or personally/professionally.
Patricia
I can show the relevancy of the course by relating the material to future goals and aspirations. Depending on the class I explain in detail how they may use this information in a certain setting or field of employment. I also explain that the skills learned are not just for your career but can be transparent to your everyday life.
I frequently discuss "real world" applications as I explain course content to students. I also like their "hands-on" activities to be based on real circumstances I have come across.
The course I teach is extremely relevant being that it is a prep course for students who are going to take their certification exam in their field of study. We review an entire textbook for content but at the same time I try to give real-world experiences so they see the link between what they are learning and what they may experience once they are out in the workforce. I think it's a great way to reinforce the importance of their education and how it will benefit them.
