In harmony with what was stated in the module, I thinkg it is important to incorporate the students life experiences into the classroom because its validates what they are already know and helps them to feel successful about what they have already accomplished and move forward.
Stephanie,
this is so true & then we can also take the information they share & apply it as best we can to the relevant course material.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Adult learners can enhance the material in the classroom. Adult students have had many experiences that they bring to the class to help teach the other students along the way. As an instructor, it is important to make sure the experiences are helpful for the other students in the class and not just a distraction.
Those experiences can teach volumes. They can describe uncommon but possible scenarios, they can provide confidence to the audience, they can become hidden motivators, and most importantly they can be the voice that students hear long after class is over.
Janette,
this is an excellent reason to use real life experiences & can be that great inspiration for them.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It helps them to visualize themselves in the field.
Using life experiences helps them to connect with their classmates.
I think it will help them to see the benefit of what they are learning. It will also help other students be able to see the same benefits.
It helps them to connect, that their experiences are wothwhile.
I think this is a great concept and would like the students to bring their own life experiences as well.
I feel that is important for myself and my student to bring in life experiences into the classroom to show the importance of what we're learning and its application to the real world.
It is more comprehensive when real life experiences will be related to the topic at hand.
Stephanie,
yes & the opportunity to learn from peers is a major plus for all of our students, especially when we have a variety of generations represented.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Life experiences from students in the classroom do not only allow the student sharing to feel more validated, but it also brings in another element of diversity to the classroom experience which is a win for everyone involved.
Students relate to different stories while others will remember them as learning experience.
Kimberly ,
this is a great synopsis of our role as educators & especially as we educate the adult learner.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think using life experiences in your classroom brings some respect from the students. I have found you get more questions asked when you lecture on your subject using things you have done when you were in the field.
Adults have many roles – spouse, parent, employee, community member – in addition to that of a learner. My responsibility is to meet their educational goals as directly, and efficiently as possible. As a Professor, my job is to facilitate a learning environment and to present and clarify the information. The student’s job is to learn and be able to demonstrate knowledge. Part of my job will be to show students, why it is important to learn and stress the importance of creativity and imagination. Education is about empowering each and every student with tools for approaching today and tomorrow more efficiently and effectively based on what they wish to create with their careers.
Kim Riley
Sharing life experiences with students and teacher alike fell connected with both the material and each other.
Explaining life experiences will help the students relate real life events to the subject at hand.
