Getting Students Interested and Involved in Course Content
a non fake up beat discussion on the benefits of listening geared to the ultimate goal.
I use interactive games like Jeopardy in a PowerPoint presentation. My class is divided into teams and they compete for points of knowledge.
Hi Fidencio,
When we can make how learning will help students in their career, they become really excited and understand the relevance of the coure.
Patricia Scales
I like to share with them what they will be doing in the class and, I also show them job related projects that are simliar to class assignments
To get students interested and involved in course and understand course requirements, I take the time to go over the course syllabus with them. I show them one or two examples of the work they will produce in the course. And I share with them professional web sites where these skills are used.
On the first day of my class I remind my students that they all start with a grade of A. And it is up to them to maintain that grade by meeting all class requirements.
We must illustrate the importance of their education, and how it will benefit them personally. We must make them understand that their education is an investment. In the case of a medical assistant program, I show them how the course content will make them an efficient health care provider. I make it a point to stress how the course content will prepare them to serve patients, the workforce, and ultimately society. They must understand the big picture. They are not just receiving and education. They will be growing professionally, ethically, and mentally.
Hi Patricia,
I like this idea. I was going to do this last semester and the current one but I decided not to and just have everyone introduce themselves to the whole class. I will be trying this interview idea next semester. It seems to me that the interview process will give the students a more in-depth understanding of one another and thus bring the classroom together. Thanks!
Isaac Teeple
Hi Isaac,
I like to have my students pair up and interview each other and their partner introduces them.
Patricia
I love this idea. In my Management Principles class I have the students introduce themselves to the rest of the class on the first day as an icebreaker and to give any student who hasn't had much experience public speaking to do so. I think I am going to try this since my way sometimes makes some of the "reserved" students extra shy. Thanks!
In the criminal justice courses I use the course introduction to also explain how courses taken by the student previously and courses that will be coming up are inter-related to the current course. It grabs the students with an "oh yeah I have been there" response. Almost like recalling a familiar face or friend. The student then understands the importance of the current course in a larger scheme (WIIFM).
Hi Geneva,
I like how you get your students involved so that they feel they have ownership in the course. When students feel involved they are more likely to open up.
Patricia
For non-sterile compounding, I ask students what type of things they would be interested in compounding. This makes them feel as if they are truly a apart of the class.
I teach EKG
I tell student that after the course you may hired as a tech.they will hire you only if you are a good tech.Dont think you will learn at the job.Employer will hire the person who already know.
Hi Condra,
MaxKnowledge has excellent healthcare courses that will help you in this area. Talk to your administrator about taking them. Go online and get some fun activities pertaining to your courses. Create some interesting and exciting PowerPoint presentations, utilize a graduate guest speaker, and take field trips.
Patricia
I'm new to the teaching world. I would like to know what are some ideas when courses are related to healthcare. Some of the courses I'm teaching is information systems in healthcare; healthcare statistics(this is a huge one); healthcare standards (boredom...lol), and HIT orientation class. Its hard when you don't have anything to fall on. Likewise, your the only one teaching what you know by experience. Students look at you like what is she/he talking about...lol. I definitely want to change that this quarter, and make it better not only for my students but for me as an instructor. Any suggestions??
I have a question. I'm new comer on the block. This past quarter was my first in teaching and what an "experience"...lol. How did you get the website? Is it something you created yourself or is it an outsourced company you went too. Please let me know..I would love to see if that can be something I could use in class. Thanks Condra Nelson
talking about real life situations in which the course content needs to be applied....
I instruct pharmacology math. I simply explained to them how they would use the subject, and how it will pertain to them in almost every way in the medical field.
Hi Paul,
No, it is not wrong! We all have different levels of ability. You must keep your better students engaged and challenged.
Patricia
I teach electrical construction at a community college trade school. My students are eager and interested to do the hands-on lab assignments. Those students who finish lab assignments ahead of others and display a higher skill level, I assign additional "higher level" lab assignments, which are extra credit. These students are always more than happy to these assignments even if they do not receive extra credit. Are assigning these extra activities wrong because other students will see they are not receiving the same hands-on opportunities?
