I agree life experiences help bridge theory to reality. This so important in career learning becasue if they can see themselves or know someone who has done this and is successful it gives them the motivation that they can do it to.
Life experiences for many form the basis of th motivation for many students. Wyhen they can see how what they are learning will help change thier course in life to something better the experiences becme integral to learning and a vehicle to motivation.
Life experience add credibility
It is a nice blend for the clueless experiences of some of the younger students who should have an appreciation of the experienced students gifts to the class. In accounting these older students have many budgeting experiences to relate the younger students.
Taking the students out to experience the realty of their career field is a fabulous way to demonstrate and use life experience in the course work.
It helps the student to relate the topic at hand. Sharing their experiences brings them closer together and closes the diversity gap. Also I like to give them my in field experience to tie the subject matter into relevance.
I use life experience as an example of what I have seen on the job.
So students will know what to expect when they encounter the same.
It brings everything that they are learning together. They know that if someone can do it, they can as well. It gives them motivation in the real world and makes their learning and time spent in the classroom worth while because they see that it will actually help them as it did with the person sharing the life experience.
Having students share their life experiences allows them to show that they have value as a person. Having the instructor share his or her life experiences allows the students to view the instructor as a "human" with a back story that has set up the instructor for career and life success.
I feel it is good to relate life experiences in the classroom so students can relate to you better.
At the start of every class I do a little "check in" with the students, "How was the week"? I share my week, throw in my work field references when I can. Everyone can hear the challenges we have in our lives, the commonality we share, it's not just about the field we are teaching. I find it brings students together and also opens up networking opportunities.
I think using life experiences provides a couple of things for the students. First, it lets them know that no one is perfect and that everyone makes mistakes so no one should be judging anyone else. Second, I think it helps the students relate to each other when they find that someone else in the room has a simalar experience, especially for those classes where the age groups are very diverse. It just helps diverse people make a connection. Third, I think that it provides the students with some perspective on me and that I was once in their shoes and did not know everything and had to learn the ropes just like them which allows us to connect on a whole different level. Which by doing this it allows them to relax and know that employers will not fire them just because they made a simple mistake.
It helps them to connect the end with the means. They are obviously focused on a goal, which is to graduate, and become successful. By relating life experiences, to and by the students, adds so much to the overall educational outcome it can not be understated.
Some of these adult students have been out of school for many years. Their life experience is all they have to relate to. Other students may be able to learn from the experiences of the adult learners also.
I realate to this comment and have a similar experience in my classes. Sharing stories of my life and past experiences while relating them to current topics really helps to keep my students engaged.
It's an important tool for adult learners to be able to use life experiences in the classroom in order for them to see how their learning can be applied. The application assists in great understanding that their knowledge will be useful in their future career.
It is important because adult learners have experiences that traditional students transitioning from high school do not have yet. Many times life experience can be a valuable tool in learning and applying knowledge in the classroom
Good for you Teresa!
I call this self-disclosure. It makes an instructor real and approachable and for many of our non-traditional students reassures them that they can be successful as well - in spite of all of the odds.
Good for you and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 facilitator
Hi Deborah!
Like experience are very important to the learning process, but you are correct, instructors have to help students stay on topic. I am curious about your approach to keeping students on track?!?!
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I love this one. I have so much I can tell students. I have been in many different settings. I think students love to listen to these life experiences. The application of the work in the classroom to a real life experience is very powerful. It is information that students can digest. The students see the human side of the instructor. The students are more able to hear the instructor to the end.
