Vickie,
I agree that it is very important that we give our adult learners the opportunity to share their experiences.
Dr. Ryan Meers
It helps reinforce the learning objective. In addition, it helps motivate students to become the Real Life Experience.
As an adult and an instructor, I am able to share my experiences in the field to relay real world experiences to the students. This also plays into a very well educated classroom when the adult students can share experiences they have had and learned from with others to help them understand the information more clearly, share quips, pros, cons, advice, and to help individuals find confidence in themselves to succeed.
Relating textbook material to real life experience allows a student to relate; and therefore, retain the information. The real life experience gives the student perspective to measure against the classroom learning.
Getting students to apply life experiences in the classroom helps them to realize that their previous experiences are "useful" and can apply, even if they are going into a completely different career or new aspect of their life.
When teaching adults in is very wortwhile to hear their life experiences because is something that everyone in the class can learn from. It will also help students understand their fellow classmates better.
Craig,
this is a great class in which to use those personal experiences; they have fresh stories from that day most likely.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I like to give my students real life experiences
when it comes to the Operating room and what can happen in a second.
I teach in the medical field. Many of my students have employment in the medical profession and are attending school to further their advancement in their chosen field. Their life experiences are a great adjunct to my presentations as well as giving struggling students important information/material in a different manner they better understand.
Students stay better motivated when they hear positive life experiences from fellow classmates
ADULT LEARNERS CAN USE THEIR EXPERIENCES TO DEMOSTRATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF EXPECTATIONS IN THE COURSE
John,
well said! I may have to steal this quote to use in my classes.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Renee,
yes, I view it as a peg to hand the theoretical concepts upon.
Dr. Ryan Meers
there no substitue for life experiences
If a picture is worth a thousand words than a real life experience would be at the very least a whole chapter. Relevence and applicaton of what the concept is to the real world stresses the importance of the why we need to know a concept. It also allows sharing among classmates and enhances camaraderie.
When life experiences are addressed in the classroom it gives the students a point of reference to make their learning experience relevant.
Selma,
this is so true. Sometimes these folks may be feeling out of place or "second-class" & this is a great way to acknowledge their past experiences as valuable.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Stephan,
these really are a great way to help students learn what they need to & to solidify the sometimes abstract concepts.
Dr. Ryan Meers
It is important for adult learners to be alble to use their life experiences in the classroom because it helps them with achieving their success. Many use for motivation to see their secondary education completed.
Students want to feel like they can contribute to the class room discussion. By using real life examples the student can relate to the material and the instructor can assess if the student is making a connection with the material.
I believe it is always important to use life experiences because the students can draw on their prior experience. This will allow them to see how any prior experience can be relavant and relatable experience for future learning.
