Linking course learning to reality
I have found the best way to connect students in the course room is to have the course developed so that it provides students the opportunity to share their personal experiences and link them to the course concepts. This makes it easier for the student to learn as well as making it easier for the instructor to see if the respective students can apply their learnings.
Michael McGivern
Angela,
The more we connect the students with our own experiences and their experiences, we can help them see how what we are teaching connects to the real world. Thank you.
I absolutely agree that introducing personal experiences into discussions engages the students more and enhances learning. I teach healthcare-related courses and bringing up common/popular health issues like diabetes, arthritis, probiotics, and fertility always finds students that can relate. The issues discussed always touch a student in some way.
I actually have many health issues myself and I share my experiences with those in discussions and find that students appreciate that and it makes me more "human." Some of them can relate to me or I can relate to them. It just really opens up a door to the students and then we can delve deeper into the particular discussion topic.
Bernard,
Ah - that connection. It's essential in helping students understand what they are working toward and why. Thanks!
Once I have an idea where all my students reside, I like to find current events news stories that not only relate to content, but have a local connection to the students.
Juliet,
You are definitely right. But, I like your phrase of "breathe some life" into the course. . .no matter if the instructor is egg-head-y or not. ;-)
David and Michael,
The real world examples and developing an environment where the students feel comfortable and safe enough to share ideas and communicate freely is excellent.
Some course topics lend themselves better to this procedure than others...but usually instructors that can "breathe some life" into the course material are more successful than purely egg-head-y academic instructor-types...LOL
Michael,
Great points. Real world example sharing among students is a great way to foster communication inside the classroom. It is important to me to ensure that my students feel free to express themselves and share experiences inside the classroom.
David Pittman
Trude,
Using scenarios, case studies and providing examples of your own experience will all help students understand the real world more. Keep moving forward! Thanks!
Sometimes students have yet to have the experiences that we are preparing them for. We can provide hypothetical scenarios from our own experience and ask them how they would handle the situation. This also serves to bring some real world into the classroom learning experience.
Trude Fawson
Suzanne,
Connecting course content to students' life experiences or current events helps them see a purpose in learning the content. A real life context is essential in all subjects, but I would think even more so in your area. Thanks.
Michael,
I agree! I teach sociology and find students have an easier time remembering terms and concepts when they can link them to events in their own lives. Some disciplines might present more of a challenge, but in sociology the link to reality and personal experience is simple. I also use links to current news stories to help create a link to something they can remember.
Suzanne
Nizar,
When you can put yourself in the shoes of the students, as you recall what it was like being a student, it helps deepen your understanding. I agree that learning can be fun.
Hi Dr. Crews,
Both you and Michael make excellent points. I recall when I was a student, I would be thrilled when the instructor tied the reading material to current events, or an interesting personal story. This allowed the learning material to be easily understood, and it stuck with me better. When the tables were turned, I wanted my students to experience the same excitement. Learning can be fun, through games, stories, current events, and other means. The goal is to transfer the knowledge, and it would be a wonderful bonus if it was a fun learning process :-)
Michael,
When students can share and connect their experiences to what they are learning, there is more buy in from the students. They see the importance of learning what they need t learn to reach the set objectives.
Thanks for your input.
