I am an instructor in the criminal justice field so there are easy ways to show course relevance. I ask students (without going in too much detail) if they have had any experience with the criminal justice system- as a victim, as a juror, as a defendant, etc. I then try to apply the concepts (for instance, the last class I instructed was "Victimology") into their own experiences. It is great to see the "light bulbs" go off as they make the connection.
John
Hi Jason,
Awesome response! I like your approach. Students tend to really understand better whenever examples are shared that pertain to the subject matter. I especially like how you get the students involved by sharing related experiences to the subject matter. These are super ways to get the students to see the full relevance of the course.
Patricia
Hello,
Here are a few examples of ways to create relevancy for our students:
A) Give examples of what students will be able to do with their new knowledge & skills.
Facilitate a discussion about how that will impact patients or clients.
Have students list the rewards of appropriate performance.
B) Give examples of what might occur on the job if a student does not have the new knowledge & skills or if the information was learned incorrectly.
Facilitate a discussion about the impact this will have on patients or clients.
Have students list the consequences of poor performance.
C) Have students share relevant experiences and discuss the impact those experiences had on them.
Linking performance, impact and consequences of individual behaviors both together and to the course objectives establishes the values of those behaviors for adult learners. Including a discussion of shared experiences helps draw in experiential leaners.
...and it is much better than 2 hours of lecture. :)
Hi Michael,
I know, students get really excited when you talk about their potential income. I direct my students to the placement coordinator to talk about the average salary in a particular area.
Patricia
In this day and age relevancy usually means, "How much money can I make doing this?". Hopefully the instructor can give a rassuring answer to that question.
Yes Patricia, they do. I think back to when I was in nursing school, and the truly great professors where the ones that gave me an insight into the career I was about to embark on!
Hi Donna,
Students grow a keen interest whenever they fully understand how the course pertains to their career.
Patricia
by sharing experiences from the workplace
Hi Donna,
Nice way to break the monotony by taking a walk in the park. Weather permitting and if possible based on the resources/equipment needed to teach the class, I've held class outdoors.
Patricia
Hi Dale,
I concur! Students become very interested once they know how they can really benefit from the course/skill.
Patricia
Hi Diana,
Absolutely, students gain a keen sense of interest in the course if they see how they can benefit from the course personally/professionally.
Patricia
I feel showing relevancy of course work runs along side frame of reference for each student. If a student can show how this course will fit into their current reality or in their projected future reality, then I believe the student will see relevance and be able to retain and reuse the material in a productive manner in their own life.
Tieing in real world examples and expierence. If students can see a clear path as to how they will use the knowledge you are presenting their interest level will be increased.
I have several 4 hr and even an 8 hour class. Finding various tools to keep the students engaged is so important. When all else fails, weather permitting, we take a walk around the parking lot to get the brain flowing again!
Hi Wilbert,
Great response! A variety of exercises and teaching methods should be utilized in a class that is 4 hours long. Students need to and want to know how the information pertains to the real world.
Patricia
Hi Trasey,
How true, mistakes will be made, but we need to use every mistake as a life lesson learned.
Patricia
Hi Vickey,
Great way to show the practicality of this course.
Patricia
Hi Donna,
Whenever we make teaching concepts applicable to the real world, students tend to better understand.
Patricia
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.
The students must see how the material relates to them today and in their chosen career path. The computer is introduced as a tool that is no different than pencil or paper and that it is used by 70% of the US workforce, i.e., most employers expect employees to be computer literate. We discuss how they are used in many careers. We talk about the virtual dance in movies like Avatar, how they might react on a jury being presented a forensic animation of a crime that may or may not be what really happened, how Amazon.com knows what products you might be interested in purchasing and we talk about their area with patient simulators and robots for very delicate surgeries. Current pictures, computer parts and related experiences are used to hold their interest. In discussion of the Digital Divide, The World is Flat by Thomas Freidman was used. Several students wanted to know the name of the book and author. A lot of creativity and outside material is used to hold interest for a 4 and ½ hour class.
