I always show them how these skills will benefit them at work using specific examples.
being in the field over 20 years I too use real life examples
bring in examples of patient charting (following HIPAA guidelines regarding confidentiality)and examples of physician orders
I also use well chosen aspects of my personal journey to illustrate to students that they will be surprised to see what bits and pieces of information and curriculum will pop up as useful in their careers. I caution them about thinking it isn't worth learning unless it adds a dollar to their check. All their life and work experience and all their school experience flow together to make them who they are. Something good clicks when they discover this.
I teach Management courses and always try to connect the material to situations that may have arised in the students work. Even when they are not managers themselves, I ask them to think of a time that their manager reacted in this manner or should have reacted in a certain manner. I also point out any companies that are currently in the news because of any of the subject content we may be going over in class. I think this helps the students better understand and grasp the material.
By stating years of experience in my field
By helping students understand how information in the class room will relate to their real world work experience
In most courses I teach, I tend to provide numerous examples of situations that have come up in my current job or from previous jobs. I feel that it helps them to hear about what could happen in their field and have various ways in which to counteract what may occur. It also will help them to understand how the information that is being presented reflects on them as a represenatative of the field of study. The better we can prepare our students for the future, will provide them with a smooth transition between student and employee.
Well I teach Student success and a lot things we discuss is life related. I always explain things in a way all students can relate to it, because it makes it that much easier for them to understand the information that I am teaching.
Hi Kara,
I like how you put this back on the student. Anything is what YOU make of it. I especially like how proactive you are with you non-communiation majors. Great reverse psychology.
Patricia
I believe that by providing a case study of a person or persons who took a course or courses and eventually obtained employment in a related field, instructors could add credibility to their claims that the course content is relevant.
By using actual resumes and cover letters as examples, we can reinforce the concept that employers do take these courses seriously.
Hi Vilma,
Students are so fortunate whenver they have instructors with real-world experience! Book theory is good, but practical experience is even better.
Patricia
Hi Derek,
When students realize that the skill/course learned will benefit them in the workplace, they quickly realize the importance of learning as much as possible.
Patricia
Hi William,
Guest speakers are awesome. They shed a lot of light on what has been discussed in class. Students really respect and admire guest speakers.
Patricia
One of the best ways I can show the relevancy of the course to the real work world is by telling them personal experiences I have had out in the field. With fifteen years of experience as a Medical Assistant, I have come across many situations that make good examples to what the students may expect. For instance, when introducing certain medical instruments in a clinical procedures class, I would tell them the usage of the instrument and an instance in which I had used this partcular instrument in a certain scenario. It made them realize that yes, they will definitely be hands on, and they way they use the instruments is very important.
Bring in a guest speaker who works in the field, have the guest recount how the education they received related directly to the working world.
Ask students what they experienced as patients in the dental office, such as having an examination, x-ray and other dental treatment, then show the students were these skill sets are placed within the curriculum.
One of the hazards, perhaps, of teaching a communications course to non-communication majors who *have to* take a comm. class is they rarely walk into the course appreciating its relevance. I usually have my work cut out for me, but I love a challenge. As a matter of fact as I'm welcoming students into the course and we're going around the room doing a meet and greet, I'll ask them to tell me why they're taking the course. And, the usual response is, "My advisor told me I had to take it." At which point, I have an opening to advocate the value of my course. I challenge my students to consider that this course could be one of the most life-changing and transformative experiences they have at school. And, I encourage them to keep an open mind as to how that could be possible. Rather than me proving the relevancy to them, I challenge them to prove it to themselves. It works!
I aim to show relevancy in a couple of ways. First, I emphasize the practical, everyday connections of the course themes and concepts. Second, I include timely current events in popculture and the news to help students connect theoretical concepts with real life situations.
Give them real world examples of how what they learn will be used and or beneficial.
I give them examples of novice makeup artists websites to research. I then explain to them these are their mentors and to achieve their level of success they need to know how to establish their own business skills, as well as master their physical skill.
I like to use real life examples when discussing medical topics. I think it helps for them to understand that these conditions and situations actually exist and are not that far from them. It helps to explain things in laymens terms as well. I've found that many of my students have already encountered these things but were unsure of the correct/medical way to explain it.
