I incorporate questions with real life application into my lecture. Ex: We may be discussing professionalism in regards to the front office administrator; "I want you all to stop and think back to the last time you were in a doctor's office, try and remember your personal experience with the individual who checked you in, was it a good or bad experience?" If I notice someone who is especially withdrawn I will ask them if they wouldn't mind sharing thier experience, to draw them into the discussion.
There are two major strategies I use to get buy-in from my students. The first is that I relate everything we are learning to real-world situations, so they can see how everything is applicable in their chosen career. The second strategy is to teach them that they should do what they love, and love what they do. We explore ways to make that happen in class.
Hi Katherine,
You are definitely on point! Adult learners have to fully understand how the information taught to them will be useful either personally/professionally, more so professionally.
Patricia Scales
Getting the student to "buy into" their education is extremely important. What are the motivational factors and how will learning this information help the student in the future? I like to let students understand the importance of the information presented and how it is applicable to the students professional career as a nurse. I also like to give personal examples to getting the student to "buy into" the importance of what I am teaching.
Hi Pam,
Awesome! You can really speak from experience, which makes the class even that more interesting.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jeff,
I like the idea having the students set the rules, therefore they understand because they created them. I am sure they abide by their rules for the most part.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jennifer,
I like how you get your students to take ownership in the course. Students are more likely to buy in when they feel invested in the course.
Patricia Scales
Hi Chip,
I love your positivity! Income is a super motivator to get buy in from students.
Patricia Scales
The strategies I use to help get course buy in from my students is to give them examples of real life situations which have happened to me in their career field.
I teach a career development course that requires a good amount of verbal class participation, small group work, and sharing of ideas and thoughts. One strategy that I have always found helpful was to have the students develop their own class rules. This takes place in the 1st class, after a course overview, syllabus review, quiz on syllabus, and ice breaker activities. After the students are comfortable, they agree to create the rules through a brainstorming and prioritizing activity, and to individually hold themselves accountable to them throughout the term once they are established.
For the first class I put the desk in a semi circle, if possible & pull up a chair in the middle of the room and talk to them on their level. After going over the syllabus, I ask the students to come up with 3 goals for the class. Undoubtedly, 1 student will always say, "to have fun" and I respond by saying, "how about 'an interactive enjoyable learning environment'?" I review the three goals over the first weeks of class to let them know I listened and remembered to what they all agreed.I also ask them to write a reflection paper of what they thought of the class during the first few weeks. At the first class I give them the opportunity to introduce themselves, reason being I tell them is that I want to match the assignments & lectures to their personal career goals and experiences as much as possible. And I always give the students the speech that this is their class and they will only get out of it what they put into it.
On way is to explain the benefits they will reap from buying in. Paint a picture of how buying in will improve their income! Give students rewards for buying in. Tell stories of how this course has benefitted you the instructor. Do it with passion!
Chip
Hi Richard,
When you give students a reason that they should take the course, they will buy in to the course.
Patricia Scales
By adding life experiences and relating the students past experience it is easy to get their buy in. Once you have their buy in it is easier to teach the student.
Hi Angelique,
I too am a hands-on learner. There are a lot of students who are hands-on learners, and we should incorporate hands-on learning in the curriculum as much as possible.
Patricia Scales
I am an active hands on learner. Any chance I get to put my hands on something I go for it. I would engage my students in my cirriculum by showing them youtube videos about the tpic. That has helped me in so many ways to learn and actually understand what the instructor is talking about. Especially since everything is in the media and at hand through our phones. Students can have learning at there finger tips without having to carry around large text books.
Timothy,I have found this to be effective, too. It's important to share. I want the students to know that we will be learning from each other.
I teach business courses. During our first class, I ask students to share why they chose business...what are their personal/professional goals. I want to know what business class they have most enjoyed / why and what they feel they will bring to our learning community. Then I tie in some element of the class to their personal interests / skills.
I talk about the field of expertise they are studying for. The statistics of being able to land a job in this field after they graduate from the course and become certified. I give them lots of real life experiences I have run into over the years. Engaging them in the the discussion helps as well. I put out discussion questions for them to participate in. I encourage the students to ask questions and be comfortable doing so.
Gilbert,
I love your idea of inviting past students to share their job experiences with the current students. I am going to contact some graduates this week! Thanks for the great idea!
