I teach paralegal courses, so I always use real-world examples of cases I have done, and then I relate them to the course content. This creates a link between the theory and practcal aspects of what they are learning and why they are learning it.
I actully give them examples of why this course is important. Example...i will start by giving them examples of medical terms in a professional manner then talking to them in lay-person terms and see which one they think sounds more professional.
Hi Jean,
Anytime you can share stories that are applicable to the lesson you should. Students love hearing applicable stories, and the stories add a lot of flavor to the course.
Patricia
I enjoy playing learning games in the classroom. I found students become very interested in games that give examples of real world workplace situations. Students want to know what their day will consist of when they're in the workplace. I write down several situations on index cards. Some are true facts that will happen, and others are myths. Then the students need to figure out which ones are which. They seem to enjoy it. The first time I did this game I did not put the class into groups. The second time I split the class into 3 groups and played the game. The game was more exciting and all students participated more when the game was done in groups.
I have had much experience in the medical field and I now teach medical studies- I use many case studies and personal relative to the topic at hand- the students love to discuss the possibilities of a case and then find out what really happened and what was the outcome
I like to bring in real world examples to show my students by taking what they learn and applying what they have learned, they can do this..
I always try to use personal examples of success and examples of prior students success to get new students excited. When they can see how what they are learning applies to what they want to do, and when they hear stories of past students, they realize everything they are learning serves a purpose.
Whenever I can used hands on clinical skills, that gets them excited too because reading something in a textbook and actually doing something tangible are two different things.
Hi Richard,
It is important to keep students encouraged! It is a lot easier to generate great excitement whenever the students come in with an interest in the subject matter.
Patricia
There are a number of things that I do to get students excited about the class. Actually, it is not that hard as most of my students want to be in class and are desirous of learning. All I have to do is build off that by finding out what in particular peaks their interest and then not set high standards but allow them to learn without becoming discouraged or feel overwhelmed.
Hi Cassandra,
Great ways to generate excitment from the students. Students love it when they can see it.
Patricia
Hi Marlene,
Great methods! Variation does add excitement. I like to talk money whenever applicable to generate excitement.
Patricia
Hi Diana,
Absolutely! It is beyond excitement whenever students can apply what they have learned.
Patricia
I present lots of examples of the way in which writing can be used in the hospitality industry. I bring in guest speakers who can validate the importance of writing in their jobs. I take field trips to farmer's markets and have students describe in writing the things they see.
Hi Jason,
Students want to be successful. Being successful brings about great excitement.
Patricia
Hi Yingwei,
Being a tough teacher is actually a good thing! I know you have impacted many students lives, and I am sure they were grateful to have you as their instructor. I am tough too, simply because I am a firm believer in that you get from students what you expect. Make students work hard to rise to the standards. It is not easy in the real world, it takes plenty of hard work.
Patricia
Students become excited whenever there are relevant lab classes to go along with the theory.
It makes the theory meaningful.
Encourage graduates to return to school and share their experiences.
Hi Thomas,
Great! I love sharing with my students the graduates who have received jobs and where. This is a great way to generate excitement.
Patricia
Hi John,
Learning is awesome when it is fun. Students must realize in any course you cannot take shortcuts. Anything worth having is worth working for.
Patricia
Hi Diana,
What do you do to get students excited about the course content?
Patricia
