Hi Dennis,
Students enjoy listening to what we have to say about personal experiences as they apply to the course.
Patricia Scales
I try to show my students why they need certain skills, and what the consequences are for a person in our field that has not developed these skills. I try to bring personal experiences and first hand observations to each major topic. I try to convince them of their need to learn.
Invite guest speakers to relate industry experiences that support course content.
I seek out guest speakers with real world experience to demonstrate the necessity of learning the principles outlined in my course objectives. Its not enough for them to just hear me say it but to have it corroborated by an outside industry professional.
Share you experiences, bring in other professionals in the field of interested; powerpoints and videos that relate.
Keeps not only an instructor on track but also helps with lesson plans.
Hi Jose,
I concur! Just as we have expectations of our students, our students have expectations of us! We must lead by example.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jerrod,
Awesome! Students have a better appreciation when they relate the assignment to real world.
Patricia Scales
By setting expectations from both sides. They need to know what they should expect from me in terms of teaching and guiding them to become succesful culinary professionals. And they need to know what I expect from them; participation, projects, assigments, passion, motivation, and profesionalism at all times.
They need to understand that in one way or another, the course will add to their knowledge and professional development. That investing in their education is something that no one will ever take away from them and that it will make a difference in moving up the ladder in the industry.
Showing relevancy of course content is important. Many students feel that they do not need some courses that they are taking. To over come this, I try to incorporate my students backgrounds and work experience in explaining how this could be of benefit to them.
I relate every unit and assignment to some current event or real world event. I make sure my students see why the activity is essential and applicable to the career world.
Hi Erin,
Absolutely! Students need to and want to know how the information will be applied on the job.
Patricia Scales
Well, first I always start with a detailed syllabus with key goals and objectives. This helps my students see where the course is headed and what they need to be successful in my classroom. Then, I try to link the material to their everyday lives, so they can see the relevance on a personal basis.
Megan
I pull articles from the news about air quality and levels of CFC's. That Chemicals affect the ozone layer so that the students understand why it is important to use the air conditining equipment properly and prevent leakage when working in the field.
I think that is really the best way to put the point across to the students. I am constantly comparing what I am teaching to how I have seen it apply in my own job in the real world. It helps them to get a full picture of what we are talking about and a good example of how it is put into practice.
We had this discussion last night in the class I am currently teaching on evidence in civil and criminal cases. One of the biggest obstacles to whether or not a certain piece of evidence can be admitted deals with relevance. Most evidence usually gets in since it deals directly with the case, however, there are many times when an attorney is faced with showing there is some relevance to a particular type of evidence in order for the judge to allow it. As we discussed this, I was able to put across the point that this course they are taking now is relevant to understanding when and why certain evidence is not allowed and what arguments can be made to establish relevancy. It drove home with them that these courses they are taking are not just there to satisfy accredidation, they are there because they are necessary to give them the skills necessary to become a super star paralegal.
Hi Linda,
Super! Clients love it when we are knowledgeable, and yes they yearn for more. We have to sell our clients on returning.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jan,
Great way to show course relevancy. Students tend to get it better when they know what the end result needs to be.
Patricia Scales
Hi Richard,
I agree! Guest speakers are priceless, and they add great validity to book and theory and to what the instructor has said.
Patricia Scales
With teaching a vocational program, it's easy to show how everything we do relates to the students' ultimate goal: learning the skills they need to be able to do the job. For example, they will not be able to learn how to give dental injections if they do not understand the anatomy of the head and neck. They cannot properly clean someones teeth if they don't understand how the teeth are shaped and how they must adjust their actions to those shapes. To show relevancy I will just draw a line between what we are learning now and the outcome they want.
