Hey Vickey, I think that is a great way to tie the "real world" in with what they are learning in school. I use a similar approach when teaching medical terminology and anatomy classes. I try to associate the latin/greek meanings in medical words to every day words we (hopefully) use. Great job Vickey!
Hi Grace,
When students understand how the course applies to their career, they generate a keen interest in the course.
Patricia
In my class, which is a pharmacy calculations class, i bring in different items that use measurements. Since dosing and measuring is used in many different things, such as baking, i show them how easy it is to remember the different formulas in converting from one form of measurement to another. When they see a kitchen measuring cup, or a set of spoons, they realize that things they know now, can be used in their field with ease.
I try to give examples of real situations I found myself in, in the field, so they can see how the the course and their career goal go together. I even give examples of mistakes I made to show that its okay to make them...as long as you learn from them.
That's really nice of you to say. But what it is, is that experienced teachers shared stories with me to illustrate information when I was in nursing school and you just sort of fall into the same teaching mode when you become a teacher. It really is true that we teach in the style that we learned best from!
Hi Donna,
Experience really is the best teacher. I am sure you have tons of valuable stories to share with your students. Your students are fortunate to have you as their instructor.
Patricia
Since I am a retired registered nurse, I often use "war stories" to tie in what they will be learning. I often let them know that I have been where they are now and if you just embrace the course and take a deep breath now and then, you'll come out on the other side with knowledge, skill, and a career you can love!
Connecting the dots between the text/lecture to real life applications is crucial. I do this at the beginning of every course. It stops and explains to the student the impact of the material they are about to learn.
It answers the question of “When or why will I ever use this information?†prior to it becoming a question in the student's mind.
I teach a speech course so I'm always showing relevancy by talking about when and how they will use speech in their everyday lives.
One way is the interview process. We discuss how important it is to be able to answer questions in a way to avoid using filler words such as "ah" and "uhm" which seems to be used a lot in society.
We also discuss how they will use speech in their career field by talking with clients or customers and also talking with co-workers or their boss.
We can show relevancy of course contents by showing how it pertain to their career goals.
Hi Latika,
Great way to express how one can benefit from a nonmajor course. It would be nice if students were very open to receiving as much knowledge as possible.
Patricia
Hi Glen,
Students really see the relevance whenever real examples are utilize. They want to know how the information learned applies to the real world.
Patricia
We need to lead them to the path they must choose to follow.
Hi Amanda,
Students feel a great sense of satisfaction/interest whenever they fully understand how the course can either be applied professionally/personally.
Patricia
Field trip, interaction and role-playing
show relevancy by citing examples from the experience in the field,take students on field trip to make aware of application of their learning in field career. invite guest speaker from the career field to encourage students and create interest and awareness
I teach Surgical Technology so the relevancy of the course content is all around the students--safeguarding human life.
Most of my students have had, or know someone who has had surgery. I use this as my basis for reinforcing the expertise which needs to be achieved to keep another human being free of infection and safe. It becomes very personal to them which is my goal.
The "people" skills needed in the Operating Room are the same as the classroom---Team, Team , Team....
I never cease to marvel at having 20 or so individuals who do not know eachother come together, support eachother, and cheer eachother on for the greater good.
They remain individuals for their personal goals (as I reinforce each one to achieve and maintain their "personal" best) however the Team aspect is the real world they are going into. This balance will ensure success.
One of the best examples is to pull from actual work experience, case examples; whereby, the data presented in the classroom, was applied to real life, case based, treatment modalities.
Many times students resent to take a course and get upset to take that course. I gave them some example of a worker who got benefit from taking that course even it was not a major subject in their field.
I agree that the "reasons why" related to a course will affect how the students retain the information. They want to know how the material will apply to them and their current situation. By linking the material with certain aspects of their current lives/work it cements the facts for them. Makes the course worthwhile.
