Guest speakers have really worked for me. It helps to have someone who has "been there, done that", who isn't the instructor! Case studies as well, so the student actually applies what we learn in class to real-world scenarios.
Early on in my IT 100 course (Gen. ED. requirement), many students did not think they needed to learn about computers! I asked a friend of mine, CFO, from a medical group, to come and speak to the medical students concerning computer applications within the medical workplace. I asked him to present early in the 10 week session, week 2, to engage the students early on in why this course is relevant to their future employment within the medical office.
I also asked that they research on the Internet a few basic topics that they believed they were proficient in, i.e., buying a computer, Netiquette, and Going Green/Green Technology. They were assigned this within week 3, and given 4 weeks to complete the three research papers. They successfully completed the assignments, learning more than they thought they could. Buy in was enhanced.
By week 10, this week, the students were telling me they learned more in this class than they thought conceivable, and really appreciated my teaching strategies for engagement.
Hi Lynda,
I understand what you are saying here. You are right, no one knows everything, and students need to know that we as supposedly experts don't even know it all. Everything is really a work in progress.
Patricia
I am teaching Human Growth and Development course. At the being of class the project was explain to the students and how this project could effect their lives personally and in the work environment. The students did a project of looking at any movie they wanted to and to evaluate the movie by answering five questions. The movies were discussed in class and it gave them a different prespective on being a parent It was a great discussion from all point of views with culture, environment and family dynamics.
I try to help the students to understand that I am no different than they are. I don't know all of the answers. I think this helps to build trust and lets them know its ok to not know everything. Even people who are considered experts in their fields come upon situations they are not totally confident in and we use our past experiences to come up with the most logical solutions.
I try to help the students to understand that I am no different than they are. I don't know all of the answers. I think this helps to build trust and lets them know its ok to not know everything. Even people who are considered experts in their fields come upon situations they are not totally confident in and we use our past experiences to come up with the most logical solutions.
At the beginning of my courses the first thing I do, even before review the syllabus, is to have each student introduce themselves. I have them tell their name, what program of study they are in, their expectation from the class, their level of knowledge of the course and something personal about themselves. Before moving on to the next student we discuss how their expectation and the course content match up. We also discuss how the course content is relevant to their program of study.
I give my students real life examples they can relate to. I also will sometimes give my students a choice on an assignment. I will give them two options and let them vote and decide how we are going to proceed. I want them to feel like they are a part of the process and not just robots being fed information. I ask for feedback throughout the course. I address each student by name at the beginning of class and they answer a question that has nothing to do with the material but a way to get them to open up and for me to know them better.
Hi Dorianne,
Whenever real-life experience is shared students get excited, and they see and understand the relevance.
Patricia
Hi Dr. Gundaboena,
Absolutely! We as educators need to refer to and use our course syllabus with our students as a guideline so that students see the importance. I refer to my syllabus throughout during the grading period so that students understand the crucialness of it.
Patricia
We need to show the students the importance of the material. In my profession, each class has great meaning, their employers expected it. Making the connection between the information and how it is relevant.
The course syllabus must be simple,directed to the course goals and informative with deadlines and reqiurements clearly printed.
the course syllabus must be referred to during the classes so that students can feel the class going according to the course. any doubts and debatable issue must be addressed along the guidelines mentioned in the syllabus so that students can realise its implication in the class proceedings as a reference manual and not as just a hand out as a proceedure
Request that they offer real-life experience at the onset of class that they perceive as being related to the subject at hand. This offers positive reinforcement and opportunity for this instructor to establish safe learning environment.
Hi Marina,
Great way to motivate! If they can envision themselves as a professional, they will keep the excitement. The main goal is for them to land a job to begin their career so that they can be that professional.
Patricia
Usually I also try to motivate them every day by the end results and satifaction they will have if they become good professionals.
Hi Harry,
Students really become interested whenever they can understand how the course is going to apply to their career.
Patricia
Hi Kimberly,
This is how I start off every class on the first day by addressing the purpose of the course and how it pertains to their career.
Patricia
Its always the collection of real world examples that I can provide them to their questions. After the syllabus is discussed,the floor opens up for questions and discussion about what the course means in the context of their future employment and why its something they need to know.
Every class I teach I try to get the students to think that this course is the most important to their future career. Giving real world examples on how and why is very important and you must be sincere about it. In fact every class I teach even I myself belies that it is the most important. Also important is getting the students themselves to come up with examples on why the course is relevant.
I find this to be true for all of my classes. Students say that my excitement for my subject and enthusiasm for knowledge is contagious. They comment that it is easier to stay focused when their instructor makes the session seem important and worthwhile for them.
