One way I accomplish this is to get students discussing their career objectives. As I teach psychology, many students have difficulty seeing how this can be applied in their careers. By giving them interactive examples of how this can assist them in everyday work activities, particularly in interaction with others, it makes what we are learning relevant to both business and personal life. Some examples include dealing with angry clients, understanding anxious clients, and even understanding our own reactions to same.
I start off by telling my students that what they learn in this course is something they will take out into the workforce, that this is the very first step in getting hired in the field they are studying in.
At the beginning of each course, I try to explain how the course objectives will help the student in their future careers. I also try to explain ways in which it may improve their personal lives. I have found this to be especially helpful in Psychology and Critical Thinking courses, which are general education requirements for my students. Throughout course material, I may ask students to discuss ways certain lecture topics may be relevant to their careers. In the past, I have asked students to write their term papers or other assignments on how they can use the course content in future careers. After reviewing Lesson 1 of ED 104, I may try to develop more ways students can use these topics. I may bring in guest speakers explaining how the course content is related to their career fields. I may require more discussion and be more detailed with class material regarding course relevancy.
Hi Sarah,
Your own field experiences are great to share, you can speak about it from ahaving been there and done that perspective! Students love to hear our own filed experiences as they apply to the lesson.
Patricia
Can relevancy of a course be executed with "real world" examples. We are teaching career goals and why not present an issue by utilizing our own field experiences?
Sarah
Hi Shannon,
Try some group activities, make sure to put a student who excels in each group. Students enjoy group learning, and they create a bond from group learning.
Patricia
Hi Ruby,
Great ways to show course relevancy! Guest speakers shed a lot of light based on what has been taught, and field trips allow students to see the application being applied as to what has been taught.
Patricia
Hi William,
Super activities to grab your students attention. The more real you can make the course work, the more excited the students become. Retention is better when class concepts are made to be practical.
Patricia
I had two guest speakers speak to my class. They are business owners in the logistics industry. They brought handouts that are essential to their day-to-day operation and demostrated the importance of each document to their business. Most of the documents we had reviewed in class. When they used language(terms)we had discussed, I saw the "light bulb" come on in the students eyes and it was quite refreshing to see their level of understanding. Using speakers in the industry and taking students on field trips are ways I show students the relevancy of the course I'm teaching.
I do a couple of things, really. Right now, I'm teaching Criminal Law & Procedure to a class of paralegals. I brought in a guest speaker from U.S. District Court to talk about e-filing and the paralegal's role in this process. In addition, I took my class to observe oral arguments on a death penalty case to demonstrate criminal law and how it relates to the appellate process. I find that real worl experiences hold the attention and the motivation of students.
How I show my students reenvency of corse content is by brining ing news paper clippings, news articles and asking them to write pares reguarding the new technologies and equipment in our field! they love that I'm a new teacher straigt from the field and can tech about lazer technology and keep the class up to date on relevate topics!
I definitely agree with this statement. I teach math and to some of my students this is easily frustrating because they don't feel as though math at this level is used in their profession. As I have become more familiar with the students and with the programs offered here, I am realizng the math is used and I am able to give them real concrete examples of where in their career field they will be using exactly what we are doing in class. I also like to point out to them that math is an exercise for their neurons and helps them to develop critical thinking skills and problem solving methods - which everyone uses daily! Being able to show them the connection between math and their individual careers has really helped some students to focus and zone in during class. Some are even beginning to enjoy it! Any suggestions on how to connect student to student in math class?
Hi Charles,
Students really get it when we make the course content apply to everyday life. Students need to know how the course is going to be useful.
Patricia
I think one of the best ways to show relevancy is to select a prominent individual that the students know and highlight an accomplishment that can be tied to the learning point you are trying to make. For example: If you are teaching leadership styles and wanted to re-enforce the need to "not alienate the people" you could use GEN Patton's famous slap to make your point.
One good way to show relevancy is specific real life examples, we can tell them the content is important, we can also watch them practice; now, we must find real life every day concrete examples so our students can see successful people utilizing the materials.
Hi Albert,
Students like knowing and need to know how they will benefit from a course personally/pofessionally.
Patricia
Hi Vanessa,
On Day 1 students need to understand why they are taking a particular course. This is the first thing that an instructor should address on Day 1.
Patricia
Hi Larry,
By role playing based on how the behavior is expected in the workplace, students begin to understand and get a clear picture of how they can benefit from the course.
Patricia
Relevancy to the course content is the key when instuctional methods are given , it helps create a better understanding for students on what direction to take and why. It bridges the gaps if any.
Facilitate a role playing session that will allow students to demonstrate expected behaviors in their career.
