Getting Real
When teaching, it is very important to relate your experiences to what you are teaching them so they gain understanding as to why they need the information you are presenting.
Justin,
These individuals validate what you are teaching. They help to motivate students because they show application and relevance to the content and this helps the students to value what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is why it's so important to bring in industry professionals as much as possible. Even bringing in other instructors to your class to give their input on the subject helps.
Robert,
I think this is such a great service to provide your students. As you know many students have a hard time shifting their minds from being students to technicians. Their transition to the workplace can be rough for a while as they make this change. By starting them while still in school you are giving them a leg up on becoming the professionals they are training to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Currently we have a program that student must take prior to graduating. The course puts the student into a simulated work environment to prepare them for the career field. The course is designed to take them from the student mind to the technician mind. It give the students the opportunity to experience what will be asked of them in the field and to how all of the material covered leading to these final courses the relevance of the materials covered in prior courses. In doing this course I see the "light bulbs" come on. When that happens for the student is a great feeling to help them to bring them to that point in their learning.
Peggy,
Relevancy is a powerful motivator and you are helping to content the content with their future careers. Good way to keep the students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In teaching medical laboratory skills to students, I try to talk about situations either historically or presently that relate to the topic. I tell them about lab situations I have encountered; I also remind them about a historical person who suffered from a particular disease. I might ask them if they know of a friend or family member who has or is suffering from a particular illness. It causes us to stop the lecture for a bit, but it also allows the students to realize that the subject of study is relevant.
Billy,
You are connecting the dots between content and application. This shows the relevancy of the course content and the related skills. Good job and continue your job of turning those light bulbs on for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is how we do it at M.M.I. /we give the students the info, in powerpoint form, then we show them with a demo, hows it's done. You really see the lightbulbs go off.
Steven,
I think real world examples are essential for teaching. They make the content come alive and helps the students to see the value to the information being shared.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that giving students real world examples, which connects theory to practicality is a great way to help students understand and cement a topic.
Cece,
Students love real life experiences. They make the content come alive and have relevance. They are great motivators as well since the students can see how the course content will help them in their careers.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree, when we share our real world experience with students they will understand how much effort and hard work they would need to become successful in their field of study.
Hi James,
In the online environment, I like to share my personal experiences but also allow my students to share their experiences as well. I have found the different backgounds for students add a new dimension of learning. An example of this just happened during an lecture last week. One of my students is in the farming industry, which is quite different from his colleagues. His insight brought a new dimension that added a new perspective that helped make the course content relevant to the students.
Warmest Regards,
Randi Plante
I am always relating my experences at school and how I put them to use in the Industry.It helps the student see relevance in the course.
James,
So true. The more examples of real world applications the greater the student engagement is going to be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
