I feel it helps the student to focus and see how the material being presented is used on the job.
It provides a linking from previous knowledge to new information. They can relate to the information better and provides a foundation for their understanding.
It helps them to relate to the information being taught and it helps them to feel like they can contribute to society
I use life experience all the time - I tell them a lot about the kitchen accidents and near misses I saw when I was out in the field.
The real life stories help them see the seriousness of sanitation and safety in kitchens.
Hi Kevin!
Absolutely! If we as instructors can help students with day to day practical applications, "true learning and motivation will occur".
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Life experiences are relevant no matter which subject field you are learning. If the instructor can make the student see how to parlay those experiences into the new field of study true learning and motivation will occur.
Hi Kerry!
Great comment! As I read back over Forum 3 materials, I picked up on a word that I think we must consider and that is motivation. When we are able to share our experiences and hear other's experiences, we definitely find out motivates someone pursuing an education.
I don't know about you, but when I find the motivators, I can better plan classroom strategies.
How about you - what do you think?
Good job!
Jane DAvis
ED106 Facilitator
By using your experiences in class lecture it keeps the students more active, they ask questions, and enjoy hearing real life stories they may face.
Many adult learners are faced with the fact that they have been away from school for a period of time. They are hesitant around younger students who have just come from a school setting. But I try to impress upon them the importance of all of their life experiences. Their experiences may not be in the field that they are currently going to school to learn; however I encourage them to relate their experience to what we are doing.
Hi Elizabeth!
Great observation! I notice that several of the replies talk about adult learners vs - I assume - learners just out of high school or on a more traditional track.
I am one of those non-traditional students who found many good study groups because they thought since I was older that I knew more. But what they didn't take into consideration is that I had been out of school much longer so I had just the basics to learn - like study habits. They were always much more help to me than I was to them - but probably we were mutually beneficial.
It gives us power to share our experiences and hopefully it gives someone else the feeling of - if that person made it, so can I.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Helps students feel like they haven't wasted their time this far..helps them feel like they are contributing to the class. Builds confidence and self-esteem.
My students love to use their experiences and help others achieve.
Using their life experiences validates their choice for career. It also helps me in class since I have a very diverse class and we discuss how things occur in different cultures and analyze how things could be improved upon. This is a learning dynamic right here. This encourages all of the class to participate expecially those from another country and they can express their pride in their heritage along with development of the learning objectives.
Why is it important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom?
I think that when adult learners share their experiences, it enriches the course and the students feel more connected to the material. It gives them a chance to share what they already know. It also helps the the instructor assess what kind of "scaffolding" the students are already coming to the table with. I especially like when a "non-traditional" (older) student shares his/her life experiences and offers some good advice for the younger crowd.
i use the life experiences in the classroom to help new students see relivance to the course
Adult learners, like the rest of us, are excited to talk about our successes. When they can give an example of something they did right, and apply it to the classroom setting—they also get excited about the class. Not only that, but they see their chance at completing the class increase as they are already successful.
They act as inspiration and show a level of accomplishment and dedication that younger students may not yet be able to portray.
Subject related life experiences show the application of the skills being taught in real world situations.
Allowing adult learners to use their life experiences in classroom helps validate their contributions. However, I feel it also allows the instructor to link new skills and current classroom topic to the student’s life experiences. This allows the instructor to draw on what the student already knows and relate new knowledge.
They are familiar and already have an understanding of the experiences. The experiences provide a foundation to build understanding. Students can connect learning new information with their experiences. It also provides relevance and enables motivation.
When students share life experiences in the class room it also lets you know if they understand the information appropriately. They are putting the information you just shared with them in their own words from occurrence.
I find that when I begin to talk about my experiences in the workplace, I suddenly have the increased attention of all students in the class. Students enjoy listening to stories. When the content of those stories contains valuable information that coincides with what is being taught, the student's chance of retaining that information increases substantially.
