Hi Sandy,
Students love it when we make learning apply to the real world.
Patricia Scales
Hi Garrett,
We have to make our courses interesting enough to make our students want to keep their eyes on the prize.
Patricia Scales
Hi Lynne,
Nicely stated! Students want to know how they are going to benefit from the course.
Patricia Scales
Hi Gina,
Students really enjoy hearing stories that are applicable to their careers.
Patricia Scales
Hi Monty,
I gain buy in from my students by letting them know how the course is going to help them in their career.
Patricia Scales
With each new class I have the students introduce themselfs to the class and have them share the reason for being here. This gives all the students a chance to bond with each other and comment on each others reasons for being there. I find that in the medical field most of the students have the same reason for coming back to school
I give them real life experiences for examples of how the course can help them in their chosen field.
To get the students to "buy in" I like to try on focusing why they are hear and what they have to look forward to after this class, and professionally. I try to link it to real world applications and skills needed in the career filed. I feel this gives them the motivation needed to try and focus and excel in the class.
Getting the student to buy into the class with the understanding of what they will be getting out of it is important. IT will better help them to know what the outcome will be and better prepare them for the real world when they are on there own
I generally tell students stories of my student and professional experiences. They seem to enjoy this and feel we have been a the same spot during some times in our lives.
One of the important strategies I use is to develop a very solid Syllabus that almost answers all questions. However, I am very flexiable to add more topics to syllabus to address new questions.
Hi Spring,
In order to reach the majority of the students, it is good to include visual aid.
Patricia Scales
Since all of my students are in the medical field and I am teaching Microsoft Office, I explain the need for computer skills in their field. Also, most of their other modules have some kind of research which require either a paper done in APA format or a PowerPoint presentation that they have researched and must present in class. I explain that with the experience and knowledge they gain in my class; they will have an easier time completing the rest of their courses.
Although, I am not in the classroom any longer. I used to engage students by ensuring that there are hands on activities, group discussion and visual learning aids.
Hi William,
When students see the connection to their career/interests, they automatically buy into the course.
Patricia Scales
Economics. I tell them at the beginning of each course that they are here for one reason; to earn the education that will get them a paycheck. I ask them how much they spent on books, tuition, transportation, child-care, supplies etc. total it all up and ask them if that figure is worth "not showing up to play". Then have them find out how much they'll make in the field and ask them if saying goodbye to that potential paycheck is worth "not showing up to play". So far, this method has treated me well as far as student participation and academic effort are concerned.
First I try and learn something about them - their interests. Next I tie those interests to the course description and show how that course is relevant to what they do or want to do. As they see the connections, others will also make those connections and see the benefits.
I pass out the syllabus and take the time to go over it with the students so they are comfortable with the topic they are about to explore. I have an open forum (timed)for discussion, questions, introduction, and tidbits they may like to share or add so they begin to feel like a group and that we are all in this 'together'.
Hi Patricia,
I truly believe students gain excitement for a course based on the amount of enthusiasm the instructor has for the course. Keep being excited about the courses you teach so that the excitement will rub off on your students.
Patricia Scales
I try and convey a good sense of my enthusiasm to them, applaud their enrollment in the course and try and give them real time examples of successes in their chosen field.
