Daniel,
this is a great plan & contains all of the benefits that you outlined here.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Having students share their life experiences in the classroom, especially if it directly relates to a particular topic, allows those students to help prepare their fellow students for the real world. I especially like to have my students who are employed in our field share their experiences with those who are yet to be employed. I believe it helps those students who may doubt themselves to build confidence as well as a practicle base of knowledge, both of which are necessities for success.
It helps them believe that they can succeed
Angela,
and helps them learn from one another.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I feel that it makes adults come to geather.
Elizabeth,
this is so true & it also helps show that we value the experiences they've already had & the value that contributes to the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is important for adult learners to be able to use their life experiences in the classroom because it helps them to connect the relevance of what they are learning to their experiences. This type of connection helps them to retain what they are learning, and to be successful in the long run.
Toni,
and these really give them clear ideas of some of the situations they may encounter in the workforce.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Using life experiences can help students because some students may be going through situations that others have not gone through. This can make them more successful.
Tricia ,
I like how you highlight the win-win approach; it helps with the retention & also helps the speaker build confidence.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It is important for adult learner to use their life experience because it will help others relate to concepts and hopefully help them retain the information. This way it is not just memorized but can be associated with an experience. The person sharing their life experience will gain confidence from the opportunity to speak and continue to strive for their goal.
Chloe,
this is so true & help the students realize that books provide good information, but it's one perspective & things don't always go according to plan & that is where experience kicks in.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I love it when students come in with experience in the industry I'm teaching about. It's a great way to have them share real-life experiences with their classmates, and also to possibly provide a different perspective than the one I'm teaching.
I feel when I or other students relay life experiences in the classroom it allows the students to relate the material to real-life situations and therefore makes it more relatable and less intimidating.
Jeffrey,
yes, exactly! We all do & will make plenty of mistakes; if I can help my students learn from mine or others then how much better for them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Tim,
this definitely helps with the excitement & engagement level & it also provides good lessons to be recalled in the future.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Tim,
this definitely helps with the excitement & engagement level & it also provides good lessons to be recalled in the future.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By using life experiences it lets students see that the course that they are taking has some meaning to it. It makes the things that are taught in the course more relevant to them. I like to let students see practical examples of why they might need to know the material and it gets most students more excited about the material.
Tracey,
yes, when they can see the application & the transfer of the learning they will be more engaged.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Knowing what is going on in the life of your student allows you to individualize their learning experience.
