I teach nursing. This is very hands on. When the students start seeing the relationship in diseases and what they can do to help people, it usually makes the desire to learn more increase.
Kaley,
Right you are and I am amazed at how many students don't seem to get this point. It is their choice to be there and it is their future they are preparing for. Why then are they absent, late and disinterested in their studies?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
They are career training. If they can't see how it applies to them what is the point of spending this money and taking the time to learn. It is VITAL for their success.
Ann,
Great job of making your content "real" for students. The more application they can make the relevancy they will see. As a result their motivation levels will increase because they will get excited about getting through school and out in the field practicing their profession.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
They're in school to learn a specific job- showing them that they learned something that they'll need in that job makes them feel satisfied and accomplished, and that school is worthwhile. I love having my pharmacology students calculate the anesthetic and emergency drug doses for the surgery class- their work is directly put into use, and they take it so seriously,and really get into it!
The relevancy and application of what they are learning will allow the student to being to feel connected to the career thru the course being taught. At the beginning, they may not understand how the subject matter relates to the career. By giving real life examples, they may be able to "connect the dots" on why it is important
Larry,
Thank you for these comments because it is common for students to become tired and worn down as a course progresses and they forget sometimes how far they have come in a short period of time. So a reminder now and then will help to get them fired back up and ready to complete the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students need to understand how far they have came and progressed. Sometimes students get hung up on each day independently and not applying it to their whole progress. This can hinder their learning experience effecting the outcome of the course.
Vanessa,
Key word is relevancy and you have found a good way to bring it into play for your students. This makes the content more real as they progress through the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As career college students, material that is relevant to there career path is usually exciting. They most likely have enrolled in school to find a new career or better their life. The steps they take toward that goal are always exciting. If they find relevancy to their desired field, they are more likely to participate in discussion and be active in class.
Robin,
You hit on two key words, application and relevancy. Without these two words being understood and used the students will not see any value in the course content being shared. We need to make our information come alive and help our students integrate that knowledge into their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If students are unable to see the relevancy and application of what they are learning they are more apt to tune the material out as useless or unneeded information.
Jan,
I agree about the value of intrinsic motivation. Most instructors use extrinsic motivation to get the students started and then they need to personalize their learning and decide for themselves that they will put forth the effort needed to be successful in the class because they realize their future is at stake.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe intrinsic motivation is the more effective and ehduring type of motivation. When students can relate and apply the skills and knowledge that they acquired in the classroom in their personal and professional lives, they will be able to see the benefits for being in school and staying on course with their educational goals. Eventually, these students will be able to continue to motivate themselves.
Julie,
Glad to help with your encouragement because you are impacting the lives of your students in both a professional and personal way as a result of your support of their learning efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a cosmetology instructor, I have to have the ability to show the student how to use the knowledge that they obtained in theory class and then apply it out on the clinc lab. So relevancy and application are essential in my field. I thank-you for reminding me of the importance of my job.
Cory,
Good strategy. This is what gets students engaged in the learning process. They need to see the ROI for themselves and their lives. The more that is done the more they will become invested in the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
as an automotive technology instructor, my students want to know how my course content relates directly to the cars they own, or are most interested in working on.
any time they can work on their own car in class, i know they will be more motivated to learn the task, because it directly benefits them in many ways.
As a matter of rapport building, I ask students often what kind of car they have, or what they like, so I can refer to those vehicles specifically
Sharon,
I like your use of the term "take ownership". Many students come to school with idea that learning is on us and not them. The culture of entitlement gets into their minds and they don't discipline themselves in terms of learning and skill development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Student can take ownership of their learning and the information they receive if they see relevancy and application for them. Students who have an interest or experience will be motivated to understand or develop skills in the areas they can relate to. these areas will be easier for the student and can help keep them motivated for the topics that may be more difficult.
