I am a new instructor but some of the methods I have used to get the studnets excited are by telling my experiences out in the workplace using the techniques they will be learning in the courses I am teaching. I think true experiences get studnets involved and excited more than textbook examples.
I like to give real life examples from personal experiences because it gives them a feel of what the "real world" is like. My rationale is that when the enter the job market, they will be better prepared at what to expect.
Hi Leonard,
Yes, it seems very reasonable. Emphasize the most important concepts in the chapter, epecially test items, and briefly mention other information in the chapter.
Patricia
Hi Kristin,
The more real we can make the lesson, the more interested/excited students become.
Patricia
Hi Paul,
Wrong short cuts create way too many long hours of extra doing. Sometimes inexperienced educated people work out better.
Patricia
Hi John,
Great approach! Students seem to have an automatic excitement for computer courses because they know coming into the course, computers are the way of the world.
Patricia
As a Computer Instructor I try to bring in the various fields of study, and demonstrate how a computer can be used in the everyday chores of each field, be that word processing for Paralegals, or Excel spreadsheet applications for Veterinary Technicians and Medical Assistants, etc.
I talk to the students about the relevancy of the course and set about extra time to allow them to ask questions that are of highest concern to clarify the lecture points.
I explain to them about the different cases they will be involved in in the OR. This usually gets them engaged and asking questions. From there I will go into what will be expected of them when they get to the OR. I follow that with what the requirements are for the course (i.e. time sheets, case logs, case studies and online reviews).
Yes I agree with you. I teach business courses and formerly owned a business. I hired people with experience in the past only to find that they knew all the wrong "short cuts". Raw, educated employees worked out better. They used their education and my companies ideas to do the job right.
I agree, but I think you have to walk a fine line. I teach psychology and in the past, I worked in the field as a therapist. I will often give examples of how different pathologies present from my experience. I have received course evaluations from students saying that they thought my examples were a waste of time. What I have started to do is after I present a disorder, I ask students if they have any examples of someone with this disorder (like from television or a movie, not necessarily from personal experience) and this gets the discussion going. I will add in my experience of examples after they share theirs or if no one is sharing.
The main idea is to show the students how the content relates to their career. I try to explain how the skill functions of the course will give them the skills needed for their profession.
From the beginning I use real world examples to spark a common interest with the student allowing them to think about their own experiences this helps them make a connection to the class.
I also try to invoke discussion to relate to the students work experience.
Hi Tammy,
I like how you make it real because they are good and bad on every job. We must give our students realistic information.
Patricia
Hi Milagros,
I also like to mention the potential for income in their chosen field of study every opportunity I get.
Patricia
I used several methods like word games, role play and group discussion of different scenarios.
I discuss my background and how I achieved a love of history by listening to my grandparents tell stories about their life experiences. I also remind them that I do not expect everyone to enter into my class with a passion for history but make it my goal to have them exit my class with a new found respect for the subject.
Lori
Getting students excited about speech is sometimes really hard. Speech is one of those classes that students would rather NOT take but I try to make it enjoyable.
Some of the ways I think I do that is by having a laid-back personality so they don't feel so much fear in the classroom. Another way is to make the class relevant to them and have creative activities that implement learning but are also fun to do.
The more relevant you make the course to them, perhaps by bringing in speakers in their career field or doing activities that are engaging, the more excited they will be about the course.
I like to give real life experiences that I have had in the medical office. I include both the good and bad. I want students to have a realistic vision of their future. I also use it as critical thinking for them. I present a scenario and ask them what they would do in that particular situation.
When you like what you are doing then they will pay attention
