Emphasizing its application to real life situation. In A&P this is called the clinical significance.
I have used guest speakers in the past to show the students the relevancy of the courses they don't enjoy so much. Some courses, while they don't directly relate to the student's chosen field, they do relate indirectly. I explain to the student that they need a foundation before they can build a house so they need these building blocks before we can get to the "fun stuff." When guest speakers come in they discuss how they use the foundation of their education on a daily basis to be able to perform their job.
Hi Ashley,
Anytime you make learning apply to the real world, students understand the relevance of the course.
Patricia Scales
I think that it is especially interesting when you are trying to make GE-type courses relevant, like trying to teach protons, neutrons, and electrons to a class that only wants to learn how to clean teeth.
When you are able to connect the subject to real world scenarios, it can take a lot of skill. However, it's definitely worth it when a student can connect the dots.
This is something I used to struggle with more. I teach a course on studio design and acoustics in an audio engineering program. 95% of my students will never design a studio, but most will go on to work in them. I find that the relevancy comes in explaining to them that their understanding of acoustics after my course will help them with things like microphone and instrument placement at their future jobs. Also knowledge of how recording studios are designed and built will allow them to possibly better their home recording workspaces, which most have, or it will help them down the road should they ever decide to build a more professional studio in their homes, which is becoming commonplace amongst audio engineers.
Hi Marco,
You are definitely sharing course relevancy. I teach these courses as well. I bring in various classified ads requesting these skills so that students can see how marketable they can be if they are proficient in these courses.
Patricia Scales
I think every course is different. However, every course is relevant when it comes to real world application. One way that I show relevancy when it comes to my course is the fact everybody uses computers everyday. Since I teach a course where students learn how to use Excel, Microsoft Word and PPT, I tell my students that they will see these items in their line of work. It is important for them to be proficient in these content areas. When explaining this, I give them examples of how they would use these items in their field and how employers look for people that are computer literate.
Hi Karen,
You are right! I have no tolerance for resumes with typographical errors. Errors on a resume certainly do not present the applicant in the best light.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kerry,
It sounds like you prepare your students for the workplace to show coure relevancy.
Patricia Scales
I tell my students that I have in the past thrown away resumes that have typographical errors. If a person cannot present an error-free resume, they likely will make mistakes in the future. In the medical field, attention to detail is important. An error in treatment may result in patient death. This is also relevant to mathematics skills. A misplaced decimal point can mean the difference between and effective drug dose and a lethal drug dose.
As the residents leave the program, they will find themselves in a position of competition with other providers that are practicing the "latest and most popular" treatment modes ie., esthetic and implant dentistry. The dental hygiene graduates will join a dentist who need her knowledge and whats her aware of the same issues for the office success.
Hi Kerry,
You are on point! Make learning apply to what they will encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
Hi Richard,
This is exactly what you want to do. You want to make learning applicable to the real world. Continue to share your experiences, students enjoy them.
Patricia Scales
I explain the new and different procedures with which they will gain experience, and how this will be a value to their patients and practice promotion. The most popular example is dental implant surgery and restoration.
When trying to show relevancy, I look at the course material and try to relate what we are doing to something I have done in the field or have seen in the trade. I know that I have not done everything, but I have been in a lot of unique situations that will allow me to instill my experience into the lessons and give real world applications for the material we are learning.
Richard
A great way to show your class the relevancy of the course is to give real world scenerios. I typically do this by posing questions from my experience and asking them how they would handle the situation with the information provided.
Relevancy can be shown using real-world examples from the working world. In our Allied Health school, we work with students who will be employed in entry-level positions within the health care field. In order to assure them that they must know how to, for example, concvert between metric and english units, I use an example of a British patient who gave me her weight in kilos when I was a medical assistant years ago. it is a real-world example (and mildly amusing!), so it engages them and reminds them that they are heading into a work environment where they will be expected to possess certain skills. relavancy can also be shown by the use of case studies, news articles of interest that relate to current trends in health care, and having students look for current trends within their area of study to see what skills are needed.
Hi Deanna,
We can learn from others mistakes. The sharing of mistakes and resolutions can be a good lesson for others.
Patricia Scales
I agree wholeheartedly. Also, I am not shy about sharing some of my mistakes with students, sharing the consequences and solutions as well.
Deanna
I agree wholeheartedly. Also, I am not shy about sharing some of my mistakes with students, sharing the consequences and solutions as well.
Deanna
