I find that relevancy is the number one way to retention. I always make the subject relevant not only to the course but to the real world application. I teach audio production and in every class I teach, instructional points are highlighted by relevant situations. For example, in a class specifically about microphones I will lecture about the technical features of the devices. I then explain why each feature is necessary (and why there are so many different types of mics, each for a specific purpose)... This dry technical info can get overwhelming to many people but as soon as I give relevant examples and demonstrate different scenerios as to why one mic will be more preferable to another or why having certain feature will be beneficial over one that does not offer that feature, it becomes very clear and obvious why these devices are constructed in different ways and the dry technical info now has clear meaning to the student. They also get a crystal clear understanding why it is so important to understand how to apply these devices as it the the single most important thing in their personal success or failure in making great recordings, which of course is their ultimate expectation.
Marcia,
With this new approach I know you are going to have some great results. Your students are going to see the value of the content that is being shared by the theory teacher in relation to the application of content. This will greatly increase their ROI and motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kelli,
I think this approach is so valuable in starting a new class. You are letting the students know about your human side as well as informing them that you had to work hard to get through school as well. This creates an understanding with the students and start the earning of their respect.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me personally, I like to do a meet and greet the first day of class. I start off with sharing my background and the fact that I am a non-traditional student, not once but three times. Showing my human side and the fact that I have been in their shoes helps them to let down their walls and have a better comfort zone about being back in the classroom.
Working in a clinical setting, the students can see the relevancy of patient assessment and care and application of their learned skills. Prior to this module I was unaware of judicious review, as an instructional strategy. By coordinating with the theory teacher each week, I could choose some terms or concepts to review with the students each clinical day, thru case studies or in a question answer period, or game format to reinforce their knowledge and help with application.
Henry,
I like the way you express how we need to plan our instruction. Through relevance and application students see the value of the course content we are offering and that we are helping them to move toward their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
All that we teach must have relevance to the message we are trying to get through to the student. Each point to the lesson should be a step towards the top of the stairs which is our main goal for the student to achieve.
Charmian,
I like the way you are using their life experiences to help them get settled into the course and seeing that they can have success. This greatly reduces their fears and frustrations and lets them focus on their future success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Adult students are always a challenge they come with a lot of life history but haven't been in a classroom setting in a long time. I try to put myself in their place and try to think of things I myself would like to get out of of the lesson as well as questions that may come up,I also bring up real life situations along with the lesson to make it easier to understand.
Heinz,
Good point. The integration of content and skill development is so important in the learning process. The more opportunities you can provide your students to do such the better.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Emily,
This is so important. I teach a gen ed courses that is required for state certification so my students come in with poor attitudes about the value of the content I am sharing so I can appreciate the course you are teaching. Your approach is giving them ROI in terms of developing their communication skills in relation to their field. This is one of the major weaknesses I see with our students. They don't know how to effectively communicate (orally or through writing). If they can be convinced of the career long value of effective communication they will see great results in their career growth.
I wish you continued success in your teaching this most important subject.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
If I show a completly cooked and presented dish to the students, explain what it is and how it was prepared and then let the students taste the dish, the following instruction becomes relevant.
On the other hand, just talking about a dish and how it's made and then expect the students to execute it will never work.
As a teacher of English composition courses at a technical college, I have students write essays and conduct presentations on subjects and topics that are applicable to their educational experience/degree. This allows me to apply literacy strategies that also build upon their knowledge in other areas.
Ted,
Right you are about the integration process of learning. The more the dots are connected the higher the content retention is going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Student needs & expectations as the basis for relevant instruction can be used by assessing their life experiences & goals, pretesting their knowledge of the subject material, adjusting to the learner's need, immediate application of the information to maximize retention of the information and using review & repetition to increase retention.
Connecting the dots so they can integrate the information learned into critical thinking & complex tasks helps the student understand how the subject matter learned is applied in their field of study.
Steven,
Yes, they do. The more relevance and application they can see the higher the ROI will be for them in the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Teaching general education classes proves a challenge to find direct relevancy to careers. I stress the relevancy to classes that will follow these courses.
coming from a hands on experience students want to hear about those experiences in real life terms.
BY bridging the gap by relating their daily struggles and how they use critical thinking in everyday choices. This makes them think that it is possible to learn and develop better studying habits inorder to keep up with the daily expectations.
The best way I bring relevance to my instruction is by showing the importance of the material through stories that I have personally experienced while in the field.
