Part of my job requirement is to share my job-life experiences. This gives the student a vision which, 1). let's them hear that others have done this job and they can do it too; and 2). it motivates them and gets them excited about their career choice (I am a Surgical Technologist).
When students share life experiences in the classroom. it makes them feel like a credible part of the content. It also helps to show them that there is something tangible to take away from what they experience - no matter if it was positive or negative. I always tell my students that sometimes we learn MORE form our negative experience tham we do our positive ones.
Not only is it important to keep them involved in the classroom but they may have a certain skill that the instructor can also learn from. I will always ask my students what their background is so I can get a perpective of the skills I have in the classroom.
i agree completely, they think we are perfect and that we have no flaws. I like to share mistake sI have made in the past to let them know we are human. If you don't make mistakes you will never learn, that's my motto. By sharing life experiences and work history they see what the road to success is built on.
It's easier for students to catch on to new subjects and ideas when the instructor can take an example of the student's life experience and relate it to what is being learned. This is especially true for students with reading/writing, or language challenges. Drawing from a childhood experience or a situation from the past allows them to think of the concept as something they may already have some experience in, making it easier to ease into.
Students need to share their life experiences with others because it helps other students learn about that situation.
Students need to be able to see the course material in more than one dimension. If I were to teach just the material, the sudent will only see the "surface of the lake". By adding life experiences relating to the course, the student can now see not only the surface, but the shoreline, what lies beneith, what tributaries that may flow into it.
This way the student can gain additional interest in the subject and will often show more self-motivation.
I find that adult learners use their life experiences in class as a way to connect with the other students. It also provides them with an opportunity to tie in their individual experiences with the course content, thereby bringing the whole picture together for themselves (and for other students as well). I think that inviting these discussions is a wonderful way to bring the class together.
Hi Dan!
Very good point about not reinventing the wheel! I observe first time college students trying to do just that until they realize that school is about learning AND using real life experiences.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Farrell!
I couldn't agree more! All life experiences are useful in one way or another.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
This also helps eliminate anger that can cause you to make more mistakes. Remain calm and learn from other's mistakes also. Being positive will bring the success.
Real world problems can teach them to learn from mistakes of others and also there may be a time to learn that you don't need to reinve the wheel. nt
For students to talk about there experience I feel brings them into focus of what the goals are and also feel a part of the program. Some life experiences prepare adult learning for the courses due to the fact they know the importance of the job skill needed.
Hi Dan!
Thanks for this comment - failures are equally - if not more - important than successes. We celebrate success when learning from mistakes should be celebrated as well.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Life experiences should help them succeed in the classroom to some degree and sharing them can also help others in the class see relevancy in the coursework to the outside world.
Students using their life experiences helps them to connect to what they are studying as well as giving them the desire to learn more. Their experiences are their foundation to the career they have chosen.
I too use life experience in my teaching. It helps students understand and respect the information as pertinant and usefull. It makes for a lighter atmosphere and this gets students more involved, great results
Using real life experience helps the students without any experience get and inside of what to expect once they go out into the work force.
It helps students to feel more connected to the topic.
Yes, It is important to share failures from real life experience but let the students know that it is a learning experience that can teach.
