In the profession I teach, there are always the "what if" moments. I ask my students the "what if" questions, and let them discuss what they would do in such a situation.
Katessa,
Good way to integrate academic skill into a career setting. You are showing application and relevancy to what you are teaching in relation to their career goals. Effective communicators are always needed no matter what field they enter.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When students are able to see the techniques that they are learning come to "life" they are more inclined within the learning environment. As a major part of the business world consists of dealing with money, it also has a major dealing with communication.
Students often have a hard time understanding why they are required to take EN Composition courses when I initially meet them. As the time goes on, I have them to do activities such as work memos, grant proposals, and basic documents that could be used in a variety of work environments. During that time, they start to see and understand how effective communication can either make or break an organization.
Seeing the relevancy keeps the dream alive. Every student has a dream. Find out what it is and help the student maintain focus regarding achieving it.
Letitia,
Right you are about relevancy. If they see the relevancy and can make application the retention level of the content is going to be high. This makes teaching so enjoyable when it happens.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students love to see the relevancy in what they are studying. I know that in our hand on class waht the students have learned if they can apply techniques and skills right away they get very excited and realized the hard work has not been in vain.
When students can see that what they are learning serves a purpose and is applicable to their field they are more likeley continue with the course with a positive outlook.
A segment of this mod stated that most Career College students need the relevancy and application. On a side note, this is one of the reasons I enjoy teaching here.
Though I believe that it is a motivation, I think it also promotes understanding.
Robert,
Right on! Understanding of the ROI helps to engage students. When they personalize the content through the WIIFM format they start to see value, application and relevancy.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
It's like any training, the learner needs to b given a WIIFM (Whats in it for me). Once accomplished, the learner knows why the informtion is important an are more motivated to learn it.
James,
Application and relevance are two important words in the learning process. If they understand how both of these words fit into the learning process they will be able retain the content and make use of the skills they are developing.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Paul,
You are putting together a jigsaw puzzle of learning for your students. You are giving them a little at a time and they put these pieces together to the point that they see the big picture. This is a good way to keep the students engaged without overwhelming them with content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
They would like to see a reason to learn something. It must be applicable to their responsibilities and or their work. I can help by letting them work on projects that meet their learning interests and needs.
Some of my new students have a small amount of knowledge in the field, or in a closely related field. As different topics come up, these students are eager to share their knowledge and experiences with me and the rest of the class. This becomes a great icebreaker for the entire class to join into the discussion. Although I'll address how the topic relates to the particular student's experience, I ask the rest of the class if they have any similar experience, or questions about the one we've discussed. Most students don't like to be the first to speak up in a new class, but I've found that they don't mind being 2nd, 3rd, 4th,...etc. It also seems that next to learning the new material, understanding how it will be applied in the field is their next priority. As I explain the application, and answer more questions, we have a tendency to get further from the original topic. This can be a problem, but early the term it helps to ignite their enthusiasm and build a rapport. They begin putting together small pieces of the big puzzle, and I can actually see them thirsting for more information.
Sophia,
So true and such a vital part of our instructional delivery process.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When anyone, regardless of their age, sees relevancy & application of what they are learning they get excited & more motivated in that activity.
Miriam,
Well said. Application and relevancy are two essential components of learning. The more the students can see both the more value they attach to the content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
For the career college student it is a necessity because they have selected this type of learning environment not to learn new things for the sake of learning but to learn new things that they can apply in a successful new career. The majority of the students will fall into this category so it is necessary for them to see that what they are learning is applicable. If they are demonstrated the relevancy then they are more apt to want to retain the information and continue their path toward success.
Heather,
Excellent point. This is what going to school is all about. Application and relevancy are two essential ingredients for student engagement.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I believe it is motivating because they see the purpose of why they are learning the material and how it can benefit them. That is of course if the examples are real and the students see that it as attainable.
What motives me, is trying to find as many ways one can make information relevant. Every student is different and what one finds to be relevant and interesting another may not. So I try to reach as many students with as many examples as possible. When I can't think of any, I ask the students to come up with how what we are learning might be applied to what they are interested in. It engages them in the conversation and keeps me and the students motivated.
