Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Tracy,
Balance is a word I think of after reading your comments. Students need help with understanding that by having a broader knowledge based they will be able to demonstrate in the workplace their value and competence. Keep sharing this message with your students.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Tracy Banks

A lot of the time, students are so concerned about their career because of the current economy and wanting to start earning money as quickly as possible. I used to think this way as a college student. But looking back, I realized that I retained more from my electives sometimes because I wasn't under the pressure of "having to learn this to be good at my job". So I tell my students, you can't immerse your every being into your future career. Take the time now to learn how to learn other things. Because the alternative is you become your job without much room to branch out to something else.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Dora,
Good point about how we need to help students to see their future. Sometimes they get so bogged down being students they forget why they enrolled in school in the first place.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Dora Velasco

Instructors must ask the student as to why they chose this course and how they believe it would benefit them. The student may perceive a project as irrelevant to their immediate career path but it is important to show the long term benefits. Students may not envision their long term success but it is important for them to prepare for it.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

James,
As I teach such a course I can really relate to your question. What I have found that really helps students to value the course are examples from the course content that apply to their lives. If they can take something from my class and use it in their life they come back all fired up about wanting to learn more. Through role playing and case studies I show them how my content can be used and they in turn start to use it.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.