Use of Stories
I use many stories in my teaching. I often tell about an event that took place in a clinical setting involving staff and patients or students and patients. I never miss the opportunity when it is relevant to the topic at hand.
I also use events that hit the news recently or in the past. An example is a hospital that got sued over a medication error. Health care workers that went to jail are another favorite.
Another area is examples of famous people.
The latest lawsuit over a drug is another.
Eddie,
I think stories from the field help to reinforce the content being offered. Also these stories increase the value of the content in the minds of the students as they can see how the information can be applied in their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also like telling stories not just so I can say that "I have been there and done that", but maybe they will know what to expect and how to deal with certain situations.
David,
Sharing stories from your career experiences help to make the content real. In addition they give value to the information because you show them through the stories how application is made.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with telling stories especially in a career college. Anything you can do to make it relate to real world experience will help.
Frank,
Students love to hear stories from the field as you know. These stories help to reinforce the value of the content being shared. They also help the students to create a personal vision of themselves and how they will fit into the field they are training to enter.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also like telling stories from things that have happened in the field, and different things they may encounter.
Rena,
They sure do. They show how the course content can be used and it illustrates the reality of what they are going to face upon program completion.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students love the stories.Once you start to tell them the store you can see they are looking at you differently(more focused and concentrated0.
Matthew,
I have experienced the same thing. Students really like to hear stories from the field. These stories help to make the content come alive and it motivates the students to become more engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I see students losing interest in the classroom a story about some of my experience seems to get their interest back.
Charles,
So true. Such stories reinforce the course content and show relevancy to what is being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A good story is a powerful learning tool that they will not forget.
That is what makes us instructors, we share our life experiences with them, otherwise they could go to website videos and get all the info.
Paul,
Students love stories that illustrate the value and use of the content being shared. You are right about how the stories help to engage the interest of the students and get them excited about what is being taught.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Stories also give the class a break from a boring theory lesson and can re-energize the class.
William,
Students really enjoy these stories, don't they? They help to make the course content real to them as well as showing them how application of the content can be made.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree. I tell stories about what it was like when I was in the Electrical field and some funny things that have happened. I also Tell them some of the bad things to let them know the importance of working with electrical equipment safe.
Rosa,
Students love to hear stories about their field just as you say and your caution is a good one. The stories need to be to the point and focused so that they don't become just filler but are critical in the learning sequence.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have found that students appreciate understanding how the information they receive in class is revelant to their chosen field. The use of stories works for me when the stories serve as a direct example to the day's lesson or discussion. I do however, need to keep the stories quick, to the point and allow for a small question session. Otherwise, the discussion can easily go off track.
