Hi Ernest, Thanks for sharing a very inspiring post! I also enjoy getting my students involved in sharing their stories. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I believe that story-telling is a really great teaching method. If it is done correctly, all four modalities of learning can be included: Auditory (hearing the story), visual (using gestures and movements), Kinesthetic (if you can get the audience involved).
As teachers, we tend to tell stories from our own history. What I have found also works is to allow the students to tell their stories. This is specially true with adult learners. Adult learners have histories of their own also. Often when they relate their stories, other students will get involved by adding another story to the mix. It's really fun to listen to some of their stories. It also can give the instructor material that can be used in the future.
Hi Ali, Thanks for a very well written post to the forum! As you state, for our students, relevancy is so important. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdqynzcMGS4
Susan Polick
I agree. By sharing real life experiences we not only keep our students engaged, we also show them the relevance of what they study in class in the real world. Once students realize they can use academic concepts as problems solving tools in real world situations, their motivation level and attention span increase significantly and they begin to see true value in their education.
Hi Sharon,Thanks for your post to the forum. Students really learn a lot from relevant stories we can tell from our own experiences. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
