Some important things I try to incorporate are:
-Discuss how this course fits into their program
-Show how the assignments promote the objectives
-Remind them that their results are our ultimate goal. When they know thati am concerned about their experience in this course, I get better results for me and for them.
Hi Susan,
I am not big on humor, however I do make small talk with my students and smile and greet them. I am not one to be sarcastic with my students. I treat my students with a great deal of respect. Students love it when the instructor checks on them by walking around the room.
Patricia Scales
I found a comic which shows a group of stone-age children being taught to make fire. One of them comments "I don't know why I have to learn this. I'm never going to use it after I leave school." The captions for the strip read, "What if the future of technology depended on 9th grade algebra students? Humanity would be eating raw food and freezing to death."
From time to time, I show this strip to my classes. I let them discuss their concern and show that I understand why they feel the way they do. From my own life, I share some examples of how we don't know in advance what will be important.
Creating interest and demonstrating relevance of subject matter to real world situations.
I like to have "student ownership" as much as possible while in class. When this happens the student seems to blossom and really take responsibility for their learning process. I have found that to be successful in both the high school and professional setting.
I use humor when appropriate. I am also careful to never talk down to my adult students and to show them respect by listening and valuing their opinions. I also try to engage them with in class activities spaced with small "lectures". Keep them busy and walk around and talk to them.
I always try to connect course objectives with real life situations. Making the connection between learned information and real life applications seems to hook students.
The first meeting of the class I like to show the students what can be accomplished with the skills they will be learning in the course. I also like to take a minute to have them introduce themselves and tell us why they have chosen this field.
Hi Laura,
Wow! What a great hands-on exercise for your student to learn from. I am sure your students get it, and they enjoy this hands-on activity. Super way to generate excitement and buy in from your students.
Patricia Scales
Instructors can facilitate student buy-in by establishing an engaging classroom atmosphere. For example, using course material that is relevant to real life situations will get the students involved in discussions.
I do alot of hands on activities. I teach EKG/Phlebotomy, so i get pig hearts from a local slaughter house so that we can dissect them to be able to see the anatomy of the heart. The students learn so much from this activity. I am also a visual learner and this has helped my students understand so much more than any book ever could.
Hi Holli,
Students need to understand the relevance of the course in order to buy into the course. Students need to know how the course is going to benefit them professionally.
Patricia Scales
Teamwork group projects and discussions that have nothing to do with the course but rather about the Studnts when I see they are getting bored!
Wow I need to change my syllabus never knew what a really good one was. I need to revisit and revise how I handle late assignments this happens frequently with one student.
I help students see the relevance of the material we are covering in the course. I've designed assignments and discussions that directly relate the material to their career development interests. I also point out opportunities for them to use the material information to evaluate themselves and to try to teach themselves to grow beyond the course requirements, envisioning themselves in leadership roles, etc.
Hi Megan,
You will definitely get buy in from your students if you use this example. Money normally does the trick. Great eye opener.
Patricia Scales
I am still new to teaching. At this point I have not gotten to use any strategies to see if I execute them successfully. I am hoping that showing the examples of the national board test and explaining the pay difference of passing the test vs not passing will help them see that I want them not just know the information but to understand it will pay off in the long run.
I teach medical coding. It is not always the favorite of the medical assistant students. I try to make them realize that even though coding/billing may not be their primary job they need to be familiar and knowledgable to assist the patients and their families succuessfully. This will be important in their careers.
Hi Doree,
Our students need as much reinforcement as possible. They need an abundance of practice to validate they know what they are doing. When students are successful, they typically buy in.
Patricia Scales
I am also a clinical dental hygiene instructor. I agree that reinforcing what they learned in pre clinic is so very helpful. Setting goals and helping them achieve them also brings on a sense of accomplishment in the clinic setting. Attaining these goals I find adds to achieving buy in from the students.
