by discussing what you used this class for in your work field on the first day
I personally have spent 10 years in the feild that i am teaching so what my students seem to like is stories of "the good , bad and the ugly" the stories of my mistakes 10 years ago, my personal triumphs and the weird places i have had to work to let them know that this stuff is really out there.
I think the most effective way to show relevancy of course content is real life examples. The best examples are the ones that happened in your own professional experience. That way, students can envision the material coming to life in their future careers. If they can envision a future need for the material, it becomes quite relevant for their studies.
I work in the field that I teach with my own private practice. I have shown real life examples of how things in my class directly relate to the real world. I have stirred many more questions with real life examples than all of my power point presentations combined. The students really want to know why they are in class when they just want to do the things they feel they are working towards. The real world and its circumstances are their proof of why they come to class everyday.
Hi Jr.,
It is important for students to fully understand the how and they why of everything they do in education. Students want to and need to know how they are going to benefit from it all.
Patricia
Discussing the syllabus of the course of study helps the students to get the "why" we study and the process to get the "how" we get there thru the coarse.
Hi Meighen,
I concur! Students must know how they are going to utilize the information learned in their career.
Patricia
I think that the most important way to show students the relevancy of a course is to show them the ways that the knowledge base of the course is applicable in the real world. If you can show your student how they are going to be able to apply the knowledge you are going to teach in the class they will buy into it and ultimately work harder.
That is a wonderful idea, Jo Ann. I think I would like to do that!
Thank you for sharing!
Debra Touhey
That is a great idea! What are the beginning certification levels for software that we use? I wasn't aware of that. I just knew about the more difficult IT certifications!
Debra Touhey
This is a very good question! I think that if we focus on the career aspects, they will see the relevancy.
I try to tell them about my accounting degree and how it gave me the chance to be a CEO and CFO. This really excites them. But, it IS the path that may happen for them. Education opens up these doors for us.
Debra Touhey
Hi Matthew,
What a clever way to make use of the technology that is available. This generation loves technology and is very engaged by it.
Patricia
I like to show my restaurant operations class how to navigate the world wide web and see real world examples of successful chefs and restaurateurs. I can show them how the lessons they are learning can be applied not only in our setting, but also in similar applications around the world. We are providing a skill set that combined with inspiration, motivation, and hard work can put them on the right track for a successful and challenging career.
I use real life issues to help show them the relevance of the course. They run into the issues in the class projects that they will see in the field
Hi Curtis,
You are right! Students need to and want to know the usefulness of the course.
Patricia
Hi Larry,
I like how you are ready for your students based on programs as to how classes pertain to math. What a great way to be proactive.
Patricia
Hi Rickey,
When students understand the benefit of mastering the skill as to how it can help them either professionally and/or personally, they have a genuine interest.
Patricia
At the begining of the course, after you hand out the syllabus you should engage the class with a discussion about how what they are about to learn will help them succeed. This will also include thier carreer and proffesional path, that will also possitively affect their personal lives.
First I determine by show of hands and introductions what programs or majors the students are in. Since I teach math, I give examples of math as a problem solving tool for the different programs.
I have already prepared the examples by talking with my colleagues as to math problems in their respective classes.
Give examples of experiences where you used the exact content in the work place
