Hi Jenny,
This is where the disconnect comes many times for students. They fail to see the application and relevancy of what they are learning so they just drift away in their thoughts and effort.
Gary
The relationship between the subject to be learned and their future career is always a way to motivate students.
if there is no revelance or how to apply the new knoledge then why learn it to begin with. that would ba a waste of time right?
I think it is human nature to want to know how and why you will be using the material you are trying to learn. It is more exciting learning something new when you know that you will put it to good use and practice. It helps students make a personal connection to the material as they are learning.
It makes the process of learning truly a meaningful experience. It allows them to see the direct application of knowledge to their respective careers. The bottom line is - it makes learning fun.
I think it is motivating for students to see the relevancy and application of what they are learning because it establishes purpose and value in the learning itself. For my students it means that they have a solid connection to the career they have chosen - unless one is learning simply for the joy of learning, there must be some "pay off" involved, I think, to justify the time, effort, and sweat put into learning.
It is motivating when we can see how it will apply to our life and our career.
With career students, relevancy and application is everything. If they can not see the practical use of the material that is being covered, we run the risk of the student dismissing it as unimportant or not worth the effort of learning and retaining because they do not see any future benefit to the information or methods that are being worked on. If the student can not establish any future use for the material there are 1000 other things in their work and home life that compete for their time and energy which will supercede this material.
You can look at it in the context of motivation, but I also choose to look at it in the context of Opportunity Cost. My material needs to be engaging and interesting enough for my students to choose to work on it and learn it in the face of many other events that are competing for their time and attention. If I can not show why the material is relevant to their situation and how they can use it, I am going to lose their attention. This can happen during a very narrow time period of a Unit or particular concept. But, if the student doesn't see how the course relates to them for a sustained period, then my course will no longer even be part of the decision process of how the student is going to choose to allocate their finite resource of time :).
Today's students, especially non-traditional students, need to know that what they are learning in the classroom can be applied in the workforce. It helps them justify attending or returning to school and the time spent doing so.
Since most learners at career colleges have enrolled with a specific job in mind, showing how the course material will help them in their future work is very motivating.
Our students are paying a lot of money for their educations and taking valuable time out of their lives to pursue their careers. Because of this, they want what they are learning to prepare them well for their careers. When they can see a direct connection between what they are learning in class and where they want to go, it is motivating and encouraging. It gives them the "gas" to keep on going.
Many of them are very excited about their chosen field and want to start working in it as soon as possible. If their class is very similar to their desired field that too can be a motivator.
It is motivating for students to see the relevancy and application of what they are learning because it reinforces their reasons/choice to enter that particular field/industry. It gives them confidence in their field.
Students are on a fast track today and are motivated by continuing their "regular" lives as soon as possible. For the student who has paused his/her life to come to school it is very important that they learn quickly and efficiently. Often times our students have part time jobs in the field and when they experience something that can assist them in improving their performance at work they are super inspired.
When I give an example of a complex topic, I like to bring up a real world (from experience) example, it helps tie everything together and students get the ah-ha moment.
Hi Marie,
Application and relevancy are the two words that describe the key reasons why adults learners are enrolled. They know what they want and are willing to put forth the effort to acquire the knowledge and skills that will move their career forward. This is what keeps them focused and engaged.
Good points. Thanks.
Gary
Adult learners very rarely want to learn just for the sake of learning. There is a reason why they have enrolled in a career college. The reason could be because they want a career change, want to advance in their current position, and/or want a career that is more marketable in this declining economy, etc. Adults need to know why they must master any particular bit of information. They need to see that it is relevant to their plan and success and be able to apply this information in a way that makes learning meaningful and will contribute to their future success.
My students are motivated when I explain the relevancy of what they are doing and relate it to what they are going to be performing in the field. They are excited when they perform comps in the lab because they know it will be what is required of them when they do the job after they are finished with school.
Students are motivated when they see the relavancy of the material their are learning to their carrer because ti allows them to see the value of the material. It also enables them to link the matertial to previous expereinces or learned information that they can see themselves using inthe future.
Hi Michael,
If the history course has any application to culinary arts then it should be easier to show the application. If it doesn't I would still weave into the course how food and food preparation has developed and changed over time. By making food a central theme you can build out the key elements of history for the students.
Gary
Hi Michael,
Good point about how you help the students to see relevancy in taking a speech course and applying it to their career choice. They need to be able to communicate clearly is they are going to be successful as chefs and the strategies you are using help them to recognize that.
Gary
