Hi Jennifer,
Even adult students love story telling as it applies to their career choice and in some cases their personal life as well.
Patricia Scales
I like to share personal stories from the field of real life situations. Since this is the field they are choosing to go into, it helps engage the student. It also shows them how they will be using this information in their future career choice.
Hi Robert,
Wow, you get me excited. I love this idea! What a great way to get students motivated and something to work toward.
Patricia Scales
In the first session,I hand out new car brochures or vacation brochures (Disneyworld, Grand Canyon, etc.) for students to use as inspiration breaks when they are doing homework. This gives them enjoyable rewards to look forward to after they master their career goals.
Hi Chara,
Great idea! As a way to ease fear about public speaking, I allow my students to start off giving a 1-minute presentation and each week we increase the presentation by 1 minute.
Patricia
Hi shawn,
I teach professional ethics as well, but I also demonstrate it to my students through my actions.
Patricia
Since most people are scared of public speaking, I first try to get my students excited about oral communication by being excited myself. I also tell them about famous people who once were scared of public speaking and how those people over came that fear. I continue trying to excite my students by explaining how oral communication relates directly to their fields, getting them involved in class discussions about their fields and communication, and having them participate in projects that deal with oral communication and their fields of study.
I teach a professional ethics course, and it's important to me to demonstrate to my students that their professional code of ethics is not just a bunch of words. Instead, the concepts within their code of ethics were relevant long before their profession was even established; and those same concepts are still relevant today. I think that if I can link sound, logical, historical principles to the modern day professional applications in an interesting and relevant manner; my students will walk away with a greater appreciation for the importance of professional ethics. I think they will then be more likely to maintain those skills throughout their careers.
Hi Teresa,
What a great way to make this course applicable to every day life to ease the fear.
Patricia
Hi Cynthia,
These are sure ways to get students excited about the course. Students want to and need to know how the course is going to help them in their career.
Patricia
With a difficult and complex subject like Pharmacology, I like to show the students they already know allot, and the courese will add to their knowledge. I ask them to name medications they use, and then we discuss what they know about them. As we do so, I throw in terms they need to know like side effects, classifications, sensitivity, etc. It takes a bit of the fear out of the subject.
generally if I am excited and passionate about what I teach the students get excited.
I try and show them the enthusism I have being in the Medical field as a RN for 44 years. I tell them stories of things that happened and
tell them the funny one's too. I also tell them they will never be bored with their career choice.
Tell experiences about the real world of dental hygiene and how they will use this knowledge during school and in the years to come.
Also have the students lead in the class discussions.
Tell them a little about my own experiences, talk about the hands on skills they will be learning. Explain some of opportunities that the medical assisting field offers, and how important their education will be once they are out in the field.
I am passionate about my subject matter. I share anecdotes of what has happened to me on the job and stories about the profession they are learning. I also share a bit about my personal lifestyle that I have attained by working in my chosen profession. Students see the success, hear the stories and have their interest piqued by this.
One of the most important strategies I use to get students excited about course content is to make sure the material has a real-world connection. Students often struggle to understand how their knowledge of a particular subject will serve them later in life. It is my responsibility to help them make those connections. Once they see how the content is relevant to their future plans, something tends to "click."
Secondly, I try to present material in different ways. Rather than simply working our way through a textbook, my students and I often watch or create PowerPoint presentations, participate in small group activities, or complete interactive online activities that I find for them.
Hi Scott,
What an awesome response. Excitement does start at the top with the instructor. Excitement is contagious. If the instructor is excited, typically most of the students will be excited.
Patricia
Hi Jon,
When a class helps prepare students for national/regional board examinations, I like to bring in graduate guest speakers that have had success passing the examination to help generate excitement.
Patricia
I like to inspire my students with positive stories. I buy magazines, products, etc. I feel this adds to my lesson plan and makes learning fun.
