Get Your Students Hired
Thomas,
I agree that it is a daunting task to present theoretical lectures to students. In my experience, these lectures have to be "segmented" to maximize student comprehension and attentiveness. If possible, collaborative activities (involving the theory) can work well to engage the students and to assess their overall understanding of the topic.
Tremayne Simpson
I like to use internet videos with various diagnosis to show students what patient's can look like with multiple symptoms and disorders. This gives a real-life feel for what they may encounter in their field of practice.
I would like to start adding tactile content during a theory based lecture. No matter how engaging you try to be , students start to wander and become distracted during theory lectures. I think I'll also look online for other instructors explaining the same concept , but coming from a different angle. Students seem to be engaged when it's " someone new " on a video , or live in person explaining the information in a different way.
david,
I agree. Guest speakers can bring an interesting perspective to the course and provide the students with authentic experiences.
Tremayne Simpson
I like to add personal storie from when I was working in the field. Students also enjoy guest speakers because they add value and give advice to students who are just starting out. The guest speakers help open my students eyes to all of the avenues they can go throughtout the industry.
Germain,
This activity provides your students with a great sense of "community" in the classroom. In addition, this will help them to build their networking skills, which will be extremely important for them to have, once they enter the career world.
Tremayne Simpson
Yes. When I ask students to conduct research into subjects related to my courses, the research isn't just for me to review and critique...but for their classmates to review and discuss. They share everything from new recipes and techniques they've discovered, to new knowledge they've gained about how meat is processed, to observations about prominent industry figures' backgrounds. They tell where they found what they read, as well as provide their take on it and ask questions they may have. Their colleagues gain access to the resources, themselves, as well as their take on the content of those resources.
Michael,
As a suggestion, I also find that "TeacherTube" provides some great clips and "full-length" videos that can be used for educational purposes. "YouTube" may be a great source, however instructors must be cognizant of their institution's "Fair Use" policies.
Tremayne Simpson
Jim,
With your experience, I am sure that you are able to provide them with information that is not commonly known or found in their textbooks. Also, you can use some of your experiences in troubleshooting obstacles as possible "case studies", which will enable your students to apply course concepts in actual situations.
Tremayne Simpson
Written materials, such as newspaper, magazine, or internet articles; videos from sources such as educational sites. you Tube is actually a great resource for videos, but only if you pre-screen everything! Many of the news magazines on TV, such as 60 Minutes, Today, Good Morning America, have archival material going back years that can be accessed.
Just rtead the WALL Street Journal every day. You will find something to bring to class. Any class.
Since I primarily teach computer programming courses I use many real world examples that I have gathered over my many years of experience as a working computer programmer. I sometimes use on-line resources that I gathered from my years of experience.
Richard,
This is a great method for adding professional concepts to the classroom environment. Many instructors have added a category to the grading standards for "professionalism", in which a percentage of the student's grade is determined based on the professional standards of the class. Many students may initially believe that it is unreasonable, however once they are able to understand the reasoning behind the standards, they tend to find an appreciation for the applied standards.
Tremayne Simpson
Current events can be very useful.
I also like adding the human element. My experience has been that most people are genuinely eager and willing to share time and experience. It also adds a glimpse into the "real world" for students.
The human element also can validate other materials. For example, meeting deadlines and time management are critical components of success in the legal area. Students may think that I am unreasonable when I deduct points for a late project, but when a judge tells them that a late attorney often must pay a fine...well, that gets their attention.
Same thing with reading and following directions. Students may object if I deduct points when they do not follow instructions--such as using only pen on tests and no "whiteout." But, when a human resources director from a law firm says that she "throws out" any employment application that does not follow instructions...well, the student gets the point.
Sherri,
This is also the basis for program internships. It is important that students have the opportunity to see that their acquired skills will actually be necessary for performing functions of their desired careers. They can also get this opportunity if they are able to participate in "job shadowing" opportunities, with perspective employers.
Tremayne Simpson
Contacting real-life workplaces to see if they would be able to add to your curriculum various procedural tasks required in the working world.
Diana,
I feel that alumni presentations can serve as great motivation for current students in the program. It is also a great idea to have presentations from alumni that are at varying levels of the desired career path (entry-level, experienced, etc.), in order to provide the students with realistic examples of what they should strive for and expect.
Tremayne Simpson
have some alumni come in with their presentaions are alway a great way to interact and instruct with the students.
David,
Do your students present additional learning resources to you and their classmates, as well?
Tremayne Simpson