Using your own life experiences help students know of the realities of the profession they are studying. They learn the good and the bad, things they will never see in a book!
Most students come into school at a time in there life that has had a change happen due to a job layoff or a change due to a physical event ect. These students have many life skills but lack the technical knowledge for the new life ahead of them. By allowing these students to use these skills helps them in the new learning process that will make them into productive workers once more. This is usually there goal.
Tom
Lets the students know what they may face in the field
i think using life experiences is actually a good ice breaker. i think it helps everyone to get to know a little about each other and myself to sort of feel out where everyone is coming from and desire to go to.
I think that when they bring their experience into the room it accomplishes a few things. First, I've noticed that other students love to hear about any "real world" application of what they are learning (from someone other than me). It also reinforces the experience for the ones who have it and apply it, and it gives them an opportunity to build on it. All of this adds to the motivation for all students.
Obviously, it makes them more comfortable using their life environment as a base. It also allows them to share experiences in their life and listening to some from their student peers.
John C
When students have an opportunity to use life experiences in the classroom they are more likely to feel more competent in the learning environment. This feeling of competence will more likely lead to increased motivation and motivation will most likely lead to on going learning. When connecting what a student already knows to new material the student may more likely store and retrieve from long term memory more readily.
I believe that by inserting life experiences into the discussions I can achieve a number of objectives..
1. Keeping the student alert and interested in the content of the subject matter
2. Prepares the student for a differing viewpoint on how they may use such experiences in their own life when same or similar instances arise.
3. By asking the student about their life experiences, one is engaging the student to become a part of the learning team and this helps to improve self worth and moral within the class.
4. When students of diffent cultures are encourage to participate in this experience the whole class is given a greater insight into the zen of life across cultures.
Gives students a way to relate and feel successful
Using examples of "real life" experiences and examples make learning simple and appreciated.
It helps them to connect with their fellow classmates and feel a part of the group. This is especially evident in relating transferring experience from prior careers in the career changing student. Reassuring them they are not as “green†as they might think that they are.
I believe it is a lot easier to use the memory if what we have experienced what we are learning about. I teach medical insurance. At some point in time most of my students have had insurance. If not they have had medicaid of some kind. I beleive this gives them confidence because they already have experience and it turns the light bulb on because now they know how it all works. So when we start breaking down the differences between HMO, PPO and EPO they have already had some type of exposure and all they have to do to explain it is relate to themselves.
Life experiences help other students understand the common sense application to an educational point being made. All instruction can be a benefit with students, being able to apply a common sense approach can lead to a better understanding of almost any topic.
I feel it is a helpful way to understand where your students are coming from and what you need to provide to them in order for them to succeed.
I also try to allow students who have past experience in the subject to help other students who may be struggling with materials. I teach phlebotomy and frequently have students who have already worked in the field. I also have students who are experiencing the field for the first time. Pairing students with experience with those who are new benefits everyone in the classroom.
Oftentimes, adult learners are reluctant or hesitantto participate with the younger students. I find that asking them for examples from their lives allows them to open up, to feel more comfortable & perhaps to feel that the opportunity for success is availble to them.
I believe using a students life experience ties them into the learning process and can be encouraging,letting them no that they can be succesful
Good morning!
There are many comments on using life experiences in the classroom. From these posts there appears to be a common theme - how important it is to validating students and their experiences. That is so important!
Thanks to all of you who shared your personal experiences with us.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I think using life experences helps to reinforce confidence that you have already learned a lot thus far and recognize you can continue to learn.
Everyone come from different cultures and backrounds. Using life experiences helps students to relate to each other and their different challenges. It gives students HOPE, in fullfilling their dreams.
I think if you can personalize your topic by sharing or discussing a current event that has recently happened that relates to your subject makes it easier to remember.
