I agree, if you can demonstrate to the student how this couse can assist them professionally, it will peak their interst. If they see the instructor as an expert of some kind , the student will pay attention. Especially if the instructor can give real life examples. I will do this when I am teaching. I am anursing instructor, and when I am able to give an example from my experience from the emergency department, the students and myself can interact and it gives them a chance to step into the professional role and think critically.
Mike
I teach Pre-Algebra so sometimes showing relevancy of course content is difficult. I try to include problems in the students fields, e.g. medicine dosage using ratios. I also try to include problems in everyday life, e.g. figuring out monthly payment for an item after putting a down payment and having two years to pay off the balance. I tend to use more problems similar to the latter example in my teaching. Is this acceptable? Sometimes it is harder to do specific to their fields, because I'm not a medical professional or information technology specialist. However, learning the math basics can help them in those fields.
When I instruct a course in Corrections or Probation and Parole, I continually point out the importance of the presentence investigation. I explain that a probation officer often or sometimes spends 50 to 100% of his or her time on this task and that mastering this is a key tosuccess in the field. I bring in examples of reports and demonstrate how it is used by the judge, prison system and probation office and constantly show its importance to the correctional process. I have students write mock reports and role play sentencing interactions. I these wasys I try to demonstrat relevancy of course content.
I help my students understand the relevancy of the course by explaining everything from a monetary point of view. What they will learn in this course, they can apply to the real world and then they will make money.
Hi Bill,
You were proactive in showing course relevancy. You never waited for your students to ask "Why do we have to take this course?" You were ready for them. What a great way to be prepared and get your students interested and motivated from the very beginning.
Patricia
Hi Maikel,
Guest speakers are priceless. They add a lot of flavor to the course. Students really enjoy guest speakes and really get motivated by them as well.
Patricia
There are many ways to show students the relevance of course one of them is the self-preparation of the instructor in order to boost interest in the course otherwise is the variety of planned activities with important educational strategy to motivate the study
guest speakers are always good strategies for motivating a course and are very helpful for students
I teach the music course at an audio engineering school. When I first started there, I was surprised that some students felt understanding music structure and its vocabulary would have no bearing on their career as an audio engineer or record producer. I now come armed with examples of some of the most respected and well-known names in the business, including quotes from all of them about the importance of knowing what's going on structurally in a song, and how to communicate effectively using a wide ranging music vocabulary.
Hi Emilio,
I agree! As long as students know that they can apply in the workplace what they are learning in the classroom, they get it. They see the relevance fully.
Patricia
A course will seem more relevant as long as the students understands that what they are learning will benefit them in their career. Sometimes bringing in a real world example of what the "finished product" will be can also tie in all the loose ends of why there needs to be a structure of how they learn their craft.
With every assignment I ask the my students how they will use the skills required in the real world.
It is interesting because I teach English at a culinary school and quite often they enter the program thinking that they'll never need to write anything. Yet there are so many real life opportunities to share--I bring in the experiences of previous students and we look at notable chefs and how the ability to research, write and communicate has enhanced their careers.
There are also the more obvious uses for writing--from menus, to job descriptions, business concepts and plans, resumes, letters, blogging and recipes.
I've found that asking them the value and providing examples that illustrate the value of such skills not only provides relevancy, but it also makes the class interesting and fun.
By providing examples of situations where a co-worker was not familiar with the information and how it benefitted them!
Hi Barbara,
You are right! Guest speakers are a valuable resource. Guest speakers can share how theory is actually being applied in the workplace.
Patricia
It is important for the adult learner to see how it is going to impact their overall goals... getting and keeping a job, for instance. Is the course meaningful to the career they want?.Guest speakers are an excellent way for someone in the relevant field to relate to the students how the skills and material you are teaching are essential to their career success.
Hi Rasiel,
When students understand that they can benefit from the course either or both personally/professionally, they gain a keen interest in the subject matter.
Patricia
Relevancy of course content gets the student hooked. IF it's not needed, why do I have to learn it is never asked in my class. IT keeps them interested and wanting to come back tomorrow for more. Real life application and examples from the instructer or the students, gives it meaning.
There are many ways to show students the relevance of the course among them are the practical examples of working life so they can appreciate how useful can be the knowledge they acquire during the course, also show the importance of what we can learn from examples our own personal experience and also try to introduce the value of knowledge to face life
You can find out what career paths the students are pursuing and perhaps show them job descriptions indicating that the information they are studying is a requirement for the job/career they are pursuing. You can show them examples of cases that have caused problems, such as wrong coding. These errors can create huge penalties for hospitals and healthcare professionals. Many time penalties and fines can be assessed.
I use my personal experience. I have worked in the field I am teaching for 20 years and so I apply real world experience to the course and tie the two together to give relevancy to each assignment or task. That way there is an understanding regarding the need for learning a specific topic and I get more buy in from the class.
I often tell real life industry stories pertaining to the subject so that students can see the tie in. I also explain how these items are done in the industry in volume.
