It is so important for students to feel like part of the class. Committment level will go up if the student feels like others are counting on them or care what they have to say. As a dental assisting instructor I always explain how this course or this part of the course is relevant to their career or career path. This helps the student to begin to understand what will be expected of them in the dental world. Then they realize how investing in this lesson or specific information will help them fulfill thier professional goals.
Getting students to “buy in†is considered “the motivation to learn†in the world of training. It’s the “Why you are here†question and should be asked and answered at the beginning of each class. Students “buy in†in recognizing what they don’t know and accept the opportunity to learn. I feel that creating and establishing an exciting, stimulating learning opportunity on the first day is essential.
I would let the student know that every class has it benefits to them. Even classes that seem hard to understand will have valuable points and be important to their education. I would show the class through the syllabus and our conversation the first night that this class is important and fundamental to their education.
Hi Franklin,
The more real you make things in the classroom, the more excited and motivated students become. They want to know what it takes to succeed in the real world.
Patricia
Hi Tehea,
Letting students know initially how they will benefit from the course is a must. Once students understand how the course will help them in their career, they are sold on the course.
Patricia
Involve students from initial onset of class by asking questions or taking surveys to find out how they learn.
ah, in that case, i usually start a topic by showing real world examples an applications of what we are about to learn.
When you're teaching radio broadcasting, it's actually pretty easy to get a buy in because it show biz. With the beginning students I'll do a combination of things including showing slides of area radio stations, playing air-checks of people (graduates of the program), and bringing in graduates who are now successfully in the field to speak to the class and share their experiences. We're also fortunate to have one of the best national conventions for radio right here in the Twin Cities area where they can attend seminars from program directors and consultants and get one of their earliest exposures to networking.
1-I will discuss the course in detail to students who are interested.
2-I will discuss the benefits of taking the course in order to advance their educational goals.
Hi Michael,
What do you typically do to get your students to buy into the course? I like to show/tell how the course will help them in their chosen career.
Patricia
I wish I could take credit for the idea but it's one of those things you pick up after many years of teaching.
Hi Heather,
I really think it is a great idea as to how you get your students involved in class policies. When students feel as though they have a say, they are more likely to be receptive.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
I love it! What you do in the classroom to be a successful student, you need to do those same things in the workplace to be a successful employee. We are training our students how to excel in their chose profession.
Patricia
Hi Stephen,
Super learning tool as well. What an awesome way to broaden your students knowledge base.
Patricia
Hi Frankling,
What can be done so that students understand WHY they need the course. Students need to know how they are going to benefit from taking the course.
Patricia
Hi Barbara,
I love it! What an eye opener! I suppose from this skit students fully understand why they need the course.
Patricia
Humor. I often do a skit where I represent someone who can't do math, and they are being interviewed. It gets quite funny.
i don't understand what you mean when you say course buy in, can you explain ?
In my class, its easy to provide interest by outlining the benefits of what is taught here. My subject matter will directly relate to them making money in the field, which can easily grab most!
Here's another buy in technique that I've used that works. Write on the board "what it takes to be a successful student?" A large class could be broken into groups for this. Then start collecting their ideas. You'll get things like: reliability, good work ethic, getting along with others, responsible, punctuality and the list will go on. Write them on the board as you get them. Allow the class a moment or two to absorb them and then cross out "student" and replace it with "employee."
