Real Life Experiences
Our particular students enjoy hearing situations that happen in the industry and how they can apply their learning.
I tell them that several of the concepts we teach look good on paper, but they need to find their own style of managing and it will not happen overnight.
Hi Jason,
You make a good point of how to use work experience stories. They do need to be put in context plus to the point. It is easy to get off topic and then the students forget the purpose of the story in the first place.
Gary
I find that the "War Stories" serve multiple purposes in the classroom. They can reinforce the value of a particular lesson; they can entertain; they can serve as a much needed respite from the academics; and lastly, they are effective in "driving a point home." However I try to avoid over-reliance on them... lest your lectures turn into storytime.
Yes, indeed talking about real life experiences and how this applies in and actual professional environment helps them to remember the lesson or lecture.
Also it can emphasize elements that are more important than others and help them see the prioritization of the content.
I agree I work as a food director all my student enjoyed when I go in detail of my works especially they get invleved in some problem like staffing.
Hi Beth,
I agree that many concepts that we teach the students are basic foundation skills for them. It is information they will need to know once they do enter the industry. However, I do agree that telling "real life" stories from your own experience in the industry is extremely informative for the students. That is when you learn the most.
Hi Lisa,
I had a professor that told us students that "we should never let college get in the way of our education". I learned much from him because he was so "real" in is content and applications. You are dead on with your comments about how we need to help our students see application of their newly acquired knowledge.
Gary
Teaching my students from the book and other materials is fine but I totally agree with giving them the "real" life version. Books can only teach you so much but life lessons and experiences prepare our students to deal with the unexpected. We can never give the all the facts but we can help them to become more aware of what can happen after they are out of school and dealing with the public.
Hi John,
You got that right!
Gary
Yes, I have 22 years and teach as a sideline, so I feel that a teacher who still works in their field is a real and "real world" asset. Thanks.
Hi Lauranie,
By relating with people, in this case students you are also developing rapport with them. Rapport helps to keep the students engaged and focused on what they are studying. In addition, they respect the instructor which really helps with class management.
Gary
If you can relate to people through your experiences you usually find a connection with them.
Hi Nicole,
I am sure your "prison stories" do catch the attention of your students. They would me. After 12 years you could write volumes about what you have experienced and the lessons life has taught many of the inmates that you encountered. Way to integrate your life experiences into the class content to make it real for your students.
Gary
I like that idea in terms of sharing your own experiences in the field, and then asking for input as to how students may choose to respond differently. I worked in prisons for 12 years and so my "prison stories" always seem to catch their attention while also prompting them to think about their own feelings on the topic as related to the class material.
Hi Krista,
In interjecting the real world into your class content you are showing your students that they have a future in the field if they will work hard at acquiring the content and developing the skills.
Gary
My students have a strong curiousity about the field. I often try to interject "real world" experience in my lectures as it seems to keep their attention and make the topic relate more.
I think also that it drives home the concepts of "how is this useful in the real world." I work with potential game students and always draw parallels between what they are doing and what has happened in the real industry. I think it gives a lot more meaning to what they might otherwise consider mundane or pointless.
Yes, pulling from our experiences enriches the students knowlege of the subject
I agree, sharing our own experiences will always keep our students focused as well as giving them ideas of what is in store for them.
The more experienced the instructor the more stories/scenario's they will have to offer.
Hi Michele,
This is a way of making the course real for the students. They know you know what you are doing and have earned a living doing what you are going to be teaching them in the coming weeks. Great connection.
Gary
