Students can be shown relevancy of course content by tying it into practical applications in the working environment. Using specific examples of how the material pertains to the working world strengthens its relevancy.
Students can be shown relevancy of course content by tying it into practical applications in the working environment. Using specific examples of how the material pertains to the working world strengthens its relevancy.
On a day by day basis. I set the stage and tell my students what my day was like and the high lights of the day at the pediatric office. It's usually funny and very entertaining. It get's them excited and motivatied to engage in conversations on how to handle real life situations.
December 15, 2011
I completely buy into the syllabus being reviewed at the beginning of each phase/course. Initially, not a lot of the syllabus will make sense to the new student, so the Instructor should spend a little more time on the syllabus for the first couple of phases.
Every time that the syllabus is read, I’ve learned that the best way to engage the students is having something specific to the curriculum to share with them.
As I have read in others responses, I also share my personal experiences. First hand information relating to the subject matter that I can share personally gets a better and immediate response. During this time I also invite them to ask questions and if they have some personal experiences of their own, I ask for them to share those as well.
In addition, I bring in material that is a completed project to show them what I will be helping them learn throughout this phase.
This approach has made it easier for them to visualize instead of being in the shop with everyone trying to jockey for position to see what the end result will be.
JFO
Having a guest speaker and letting studnets see and hear why the information is relevant to their chosen field
I use my work experience to explain the importance of learning and retaining the information taught. I let them know you may not use everything everyday but you will have a moment when you will recall learning that subject or task in a class.
I believe students can see relavancy of course by providing application of knowledge through activities and work related stories. Students will also see relevancy when they see the motivation of the instructor towards the importance of learning the concept as it applies to their profession.
Hi Adriana,
Students like to know how useful the information is that they are learning.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kathy,
Students need to know how they are going to benefit.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kim,
Students need to, want to, and enjoy hearing stories as they apply to the real world.
Patricia Scales
Hi Randy,
Students like it when we make learning applicable to the real world.
Patricia Scales
I share my own experiences and tell stories that relate. I also try to use some humorous tale. I think that shows that I am not afraid to laugh at myself and humor connects people. I think we have all struggled at times and humor can point out that we are all on the same boat.
Thank you for this discussion
At the beginning of the course I can ask my students about their past and current jobs. Throughout the course I can relate the material and how it was or can be applied to their job.
I too use real life examples and experiences that relate to course content. I also try to incorporate a little humor with a story. I feel that opens up to connections with others and shows that I can laugh at myself. We have all struggled at times and this serves to keep things in perspective. Thank you for this discussion.
You can show relevancy of your course to the students by giving "real world" examples of how the knowledge the are acquiring in the class will be applied when they become employed. I teach dental hygiene and it is easy to show relevancy of what you are teaching.
There are many ways to show the relevancy. Real life situations can excite and interest the students. You can do that with stories of work occurances, power points presenations or charting. This will assist them in maintaining motivation and focus.If you learn this, it will help by, showing them what is in it for them to meet the objectives.
I believe you can show students relevancy of course content by incorporating real life examples. Relavant examples help students see "why" the content is important. It provides reasoning, logic and understanding as to "why" the content is important. It helps students utilize new data and newly acquired skill sets that will be required to analyze, solve or complete real world problems in their chosen career path.
I teach algebra and psychology to vet tech students. they see no relevance to having to take algebra as a vet tech. i see none either so i help them to see that it is not the content itself, but how it trains the mind to think analytically, critically, and logically; as well as training the student to be an effective problem solver. i also tell them that those are some of the most important characteristics that employers are looking for: logical thinkers and problem solvers. For psych, i teach the basic psych 101 syllabus but incorporate pbs streaming video documentaries relevant to animals - dogs, cats, and horses in particular, as well as the human-canine bond. the students love this and it reinforces the text and course content in their minds.
I teach a lot of the I.T. courses. If I'm working on a project at my full-time job that is related to the topic we are discussing, I'll show them some code/grant charts that we are using to acomplish the task. It seems like the students like this, because they can relate the topic that we are discussing to the real-world.
Hi Michael,
Great response! It doesn't matter what level/line of work you are in, math is applicable to all careers/jobs, not to mention our personal lives.
Patricia Scales
