make personal references ot related career topics.
..helps to bridge learning with future career opportunities.
Hi Heather & Chris - I too share the "story teller" approach. I also teach Medical Assisting courses and my many years of experience in the field allow me to give an example of almost everything that is being taught from customer service to medical terminology. I learn well from other people's experiences and remember these examples when presented with a similar situation. I also like to use humor as one of my teaching method - it breaks up the tension in the teacher/student relationship. It also allows the students to feel comfortable in class and gives them opportunities to share their experiences and participate in the class discussions.
Hello Chris, You and I share a common trait in the classroom! I am a story teller as well and the students really look forward to hearing (and watching) my past experiences come alive. I teach Medical Assisting students and there are many 'stories' from my years in the healthcare field that bring the subject matter to life and gives everyone a welcome break too. Students have shared with me that in some instances they were able to retain particular subject matter because it was related to a "story" I told and it made enough of an impression that it stuck! I enjoy making the students laugh and I have found that humor is a bridge between myself and the students and it promotes a rewarding learning environment.
Hi Kimberly!
It's about human interaction and personal mind stimulation. When healthy debates occurs over a topic presented, instructors can rest assured that learning has taken place.
Keep up the good work!
jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I have been fortunate to have worked in a number of careers, and I enjoy sharing experiences with my students. Although I currently teach English full time as an adjunct professor at National College, I worked as registered pharmacist before deciding to devote myself to teaching fulltime. My experiences especially connect with students who aspire to become pharmacy technician. I was also a pharmacy technician instructor when I was in the Army where I was introduced to classroom teaching which I later pursued with a passion.
Students understand that it is conceivable that one's career objectives may change over time. Overall, I really enjoy talking about my various careers and sharing relevant experiences with the classes that I teach.
I find that when I use real life examples the students seem to repond and ask questions. I find that more learning takes place if the students are engaged in the topic. I have had some classes even form healthy debates over topics discussed.
It's clear, Lori, that real world examples help to prepare students for their job experiences.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I agree. With the students we are educating they thrive on examples it helps them understand what they can expect in a real work environment.
I find it very helpful telling and listening to personal stories on a subject it keeps the student interested and the student remembers the topic being discussed.
I admit, I'm a story-teller! I've been teaching a very looooong time and am grateful I have so many experiences to pull from to share with any current classes. Always the stories are true, and often comical...so students see you are making personal connections by sharing your own past experiences..........as long as it's related and I don't "bird walk", it works very nicely! It gives students a break from something like working problems or taking notes to just sitting back & relax for a minute!!
