Everyone can connect with shred REAL life experiences from one person to another because the experience was "real" to someone else...this makes the instructor especially human, too!
Adult learners who use life experiences in the classroom can relate their real life experiences to topics that maybe discussed during a class lecture. I often use examples of real life situations that I have encountered and connect it to the topic we may be discussing in class. Ex: Plain View Doctrine: Vehicle stop, subject operating vehicle had handgun on passenger seat (in plain view), subject arrested for Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Explaining the actual vehicle stop from start to finish gives the class a real understanding of the topic.
No matter where you come from your life experiences can help you be to successful in your future.
It gives them base from which to stand on as a student and feel comfortable with learning new content they are not familiar with.
Brendon ,
Yes & the more efficacy we can build the better they will perform.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I believe it gives them insight and a realistic goal: someone else has already done that so can I.
Using life experiences in my classroom is essential. It helps to place my students minds in a perspective of a black man from the mouth of a black man. Many of my students are women and non-African American, Giving them academic experiences from a African American males perspective shows them that many of their stereotypes and categorizing of particular cultures and groups are often misrepresentations of fact.
Harold,
this is a great point & while we don't want to "brag" we do need to highlight our experience & subject matter expertise.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Craig,
so true & this can help the students retain the important information for the future.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
As facilitators we want to show our students that we are successful in our fields of work, it gives us credibility on their eyes.
Using life stories helps to bring the course material to life. The subject matter is seen as more than just written material.
It brings a validation to the experiences they have, allowing others to use their peers to learn.
Life experience is one of the most valuable resources that an instructor has at his/her disposal. What the students bring to the class coupled with what the instructor has to offer most times sets up a very dynamic classroom. The is the part of classroom learning that I feel separtes it from online learning.
The use of life experience for adult learners helps to connect the dots in learning new concepts and acquiring new skills. Adult learners have need to see the real life application of the newly learned skill in order to see the relevance. This will keep them engaged , motivated and eager to share with others as they continue to be life long learners.
Darrell,
yes it can really help them see how the material applies outside of the classroom.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By giving student your life experiences they can relate to, it can improve the understanding of the material given
Karen,
it can really get them excited about their future careers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It makes them more motivated and helps them see an end result.
Sharing past experiences can help students connect how their previous life experiences can be relevant to their future success in this new career path.
It gives them a lot of confidence they can successfully complete their learning and apply it well in their career field.
