I teach in the medical department. We use situations or case studies in many of the courses to show the students relevancy and how thier skills can be applied to what they are learning. These case studies can help them follow through in real world applications.
In my personal opinion, students are going to be motivated to learn if they can see the connection between what they are learning and the real world application of such learning.
It is easy for medical student to see relevancy and application from what they are learning in medical classes towards thier medical careers.
When you can relate what you are talking about in class to the real world, all ears perk up. Not only do you get their attention, but the students begin to realize and validate the course and its instuctor. There interest level is elevated and this will in turn, elevate their ability to learn and comprehend.
When the relevance and application is clear it gives the student a clearer vision on their own goals and the why factor of them taking any giving course.
Relevancy and application are really all there is when it comes to teaching career college students. Many students work, take care of families, and keep up a school load. We can't waste their time. If they see the real-life application on the class they will be motivated to do the work.
I teach cosmetology so there is alot of relevance when students apply what they learn. Different ways of application can make a totally different hairstyle or over all look. I like to take before and after pictures also to show them the results of practicing what they have learned.
Howard,
Good point. Application and relevancy both have to be a part of the instructional planning process if students are going to see ROI from their efforts.
Gary
Apart from these two primary benefits of learning, why else would a student go through the expense and effort to take a class? If my learning experience is not relevant to me in any way, nor usuable, I've wasted my teacher's time and my money!
If the material is not relevant to the student than the student has a harder time understanding and recalling the information. Sometimes they feel that if it is not relevant they don't have to remember it or it doesn't concern them.
Most of my students are hoping to finish the course work and be able to find employment. They need to feel that the information and skills aquired in my class are pertinent to that goal.I always try to help them see the practical application of the information I'm sharing.Immediately after finishing lecture we go to the lab and apply the concepts we've just discussed.This prompts the student to see the value in what we're doing and is the part of the class that they enjoy most.
Our students have decided to attend mostly as a career change or new direction for a better life, sharing your course information and connecting it to why it is learned and how it is used in the choosen field creates motivation. I feel students can create their "enthusiasm" in the course, as they see the connection.
Jorge,
Thank you for these great comments about how the learning process can and should work. The key is for the students to see ROI from what is being taught. Through application and relevancy they will. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Student will find more value in what is being taught if it can be directly related to real world challenges that they might face. They will see tangible gain if they find they can apply this knowledge towards perfecting skills and techniques required in their field or effectively completing tasks that had previously seemed highly challenging to them. Correspondingly, by physically applying this newly acquired knowledge they are much more likely to develop greater comprehension and retention of the material in question, which is in itself very rewarding and consequently contributes to further motivation.
It is motivating because students can see how important what they are learning is in the field.
Kevin,
Well said. From infancy individuals are seeking both application and relevancy. Sometimes I think educational institutions have forgotten this concept. No what age students are seeking relevancy and application so these two concepts need to be in all our instructional planning and delivery. Good points on this. Thanks for sharing them.
Gary
I believe this goes back to your prior instruction on Learnativity regarding the brain always being in search of new information, while our human nature tends to resist change. Students need to see for themselves that understanding the material that they are being instructed in is not so much "trivia" to be retained for the sole pupose of passing an exam, or drugery to be endured. Students need to see that these lessons that they are learning are instead components or building blocks that when put together correctly will form foundational basics that they will use most everyday in their future field of study.
Foundational basics which when effectively practiced will enable them to set a starting point for a hopefully long and successful career. I think even now, when students are made aware that the material they are learning will enable them to offer evidence based advice to a family member who is hurting, or treat a self limiting aliment, I believe this is empowering. the student begins to realize he or she has actually learned some skills which have real world appilcation, and rewards in the form of making a difference in someone's life, and hearing the words "thank you", or "job well done". Once the student sees relevacy and appilcation, I believe he or she is more apt to become excited and practice the skills more in order to feel more confident, and well versed in his or her future vocation. I believe this enables human nature which normaly resists change, to "get on the same page" so to speak with the brain and thirst for knowledge just a little more.
Rodrigo,
I agree. This has been my experience as well. There is something exciting about knowing you have acquired new knowledge and are able to internalize it to the point you can share it with others.
Gary
Although motivation varies substantially among students, in my experience, most of them feel exited when they can explain, through their new acquired knowledge, what was happening in a past life experience or conversation. I can see their eyes lit up when they finally can put the dots together and understand why or what happened in a certain occurrence at their jobs, the way an action was conducted. Now they can go back and participate in a more impacting way on their careers or jobs.
Hi James,
So true. There needs to be a clear connection between course content and real world application. The more connections that can be created the greater the retention of material is going to be, as well as higher student engagement.
Gary
