Excitement about the subject matter
I feel that using personal stories about past experiences promotes excitement and interest in learning more on the part of the student. It also triggers enthusiasm in the instructor to make his/her lectures more fun for the students.
Hi Francine,
This method really helps to get the students engaged in the learning process of the course. They can see relevancy and application.
Gary
I have a student that is working in the field. I love to have her share her day with us. It helps bring a real life element to the class and usually brings around a great disscussion. The students love to hear true life scenarios. And can then wonder and discuss What would they do? How would they react?
yes - students are curious about their teachers
John, I agree that by using personal stories as they apply to the content matter show students that we are interested in the field, know the subject and are human. When students can talk about themselves it show them that we are interested in their lives and that it applies to the content. The relevancy of the material with life experiences from all of us keeps things interesting and motivating. Great response.
Sometimes I don't even need to trick them. If I tell the class onthe first meeting what fun they are going to have...they do!
If I approach the class as a chore, the students see the class as work.
RHolt
'Instructors have to develop their own methods of being flexible and how to deal with student situations fairly. This is a very important ingredient in demonstrating empathy for student situations."
The Use of personal stories in the class room is needed, Instructor can used them to provide reinforment of the topic. I think that the key point of this is to stay with the curriculum.
Good job Mr. Perring "
experiences promotes excitement and interest in learning more on the part of the student. It also triggers enthusiasm in the instructor to make his/her lectures more fun for the students."
I agree, John, I also like to "trick" students into admitting thier own excitment for the subject. Most students are in the class because of some level of interest, so i ask several "loaded questions about their likes and desires and then tell them how this class will relate to those likes and desires. I also remind them as we go along how individual topics will relate to those likes and desires.
Luis
I use a lot of my own personal experience to help the student relate to the kind of things they may encounter.
My time at a junior college also helps the student to see that I have been thru some of the same things that they have.
D Hayes
Providing real world experience scenarios in an enthusiastic tone can definitely get students' attention and facilitate an interest in learning, especially when it relates directly to their ability to make money in the field.
