Getting students excited about course content
What are some methods you use to get students excited about your course?
Hi Glenn,
We need to give our students as much heads up as possible. Students love and need to hear our real life experiences as they apply to the content being delivered.
Patricia
Giving students real life experiences is the best way to get them excited about learning.They take away the feeling that they will have a "leg up" on the job competion if they already have insight on the right way to perform job
Hi Regina,
Students like it when we make the course relevant as to what is going on in the real world.
Patricia
I try to use examples that somehow relate to the course and relate to a current event.
When I am teaching a specific body system, I use case studies with my students
Virginia
Hello Laura:
One may even incorporate salary surveys published in reputable journals of the field. Some, such as those in my field, complete a salary survey each year, and distinguish the salary differences for certified and degreed individuals, and demonstrate other differences as well.
Best,
Susan Weiss
Hello Robert:
One way students might become more comfortable within as well as outside the classroom in hearing of instructor experience is to encourage them to join and attend functions or engage in social networking groups for professional associations in their chosen fields. This encourages not only comfort with subject matter through discussion with practitioners, but also may ease the transition into practice for students. Employment opportunities and scholarship opportunities are also possibilities.
Best,
Susan Weiss
Hello Ms. Scales and fellow learners:
In delivering my course content within my twice weekly webinar format I am able to demonstrate applications of theoretical content through information technology. Relating it to data all students find universal (e.g., energy consumption and temperature, for example) allows the student to contexually apply the content instantly. Then, we progress into discussion regarding how they might apply these models within the context of their career. Student feedback is typically quite positive.
Best,
Susan Weiss
I teach a mandatory pastry class to students who are enrolled in our savory culinary program. A lot of them have absolutely no interest in baking. I have developed a final project for the class that incorporates pastry methods into savory recipes like chicken pot pie or quiche. Part of the project involves a paragraph describing how the pastry method enhanced their recipe. Once the students start to realize the importance of the material they are learning, I think it becomes much more interesting to them. I also like to let them make small changes to recipes that help them explore their creative sides. It breaks up the monotony and makes each dish their own.
I like to give examples to direct the course content to real life situations.
It is very easy for me to get students excited about the course content through examples of real life scenerios and a passionate delivery. I like to relate the course content with scenerios and role play and I do it in a way that they are able to feel my passion of the field and see the relevence of the information.
Hi Alison,
I can certainly see how your students get excited about these activities. Incorporating music into the lesson has proven to be very effective far as long as I can remember. This generation especially loves music, what a great way to get students interested in the content.
Patricia
I teach English composition at a college that primarily focuses on the medical field. Getting students excited about English has been one of the challenges in my job. Students come in with preconceived ideas about their skill in English based on their previous educational experiences. I have found that, although this is a course that concentrates on writing, the students really respond to reading assignments. Their favorite discussion topic is critiquing the writer. This serves the purpose of letting the students share their knowledge, as well as opening up an opportunity to discuss methods to fix things such as confusing time lines in writing. Another activity I employ is applying the topic at hand to music. When we discuss similes and metaphors, I ask the students to bring in song lyrics that use these terms. I have found both of these activities to be very successful in encouraging student excitement and participation.
I like to lead by example, if I want my students to be excited about the course, then I need to show my excitement about it. A positive attitude can be very contagious. After introductions are made on the initial meeting, I briefly discus my experiences with that exact course. Eventually, I will explain what they can expect from me and the course and what I expect from them.
Hi Paula,
It is good to shed light with your students as to what is happening in the real world. We need to let our students know what they are up against so that they are not shocked when they hit the real world.
Patricia
I share experiences with students on working the medical field. I also let them about the diversity that is in the field.
When trying to foster interest in the course I teach I usually have a guest-speaker come in and talk to the class about his or her experiences and achievements back when they were a student themselves. I feel like when students see a live example in front of them they become more motivated and optimistic about the course. They see that someone has also done what they have, worked just as hard, and it paid off and now they are successful; if they do the same, they too can be successful and I, as their instructor, can lead them to this success. I agree with previous posters that money is a definite motivator but sometimes it's not enough, as for many people a career is about something greater--it is a life-changing experience where one develops a strong sense of identity and feels like he/she is part of a working society.
Hi Eric,
I also like to bring in classified ads that pertain to skills that will be learned in the class.
Patricia
One of the ways that I use to get the students excited is to "play" games to help them learn new skills. I also use real world situations, I have found that the students like to hear what to expect in the "real world" and this in turns gets them excited about the course.
