Making the course relevant
I have had the opprortunity to teach in a gen-ed class this phase and have had to change my mode of thinking from the dental profession to a pharmacy technicians approach. It has been helpful to, on occassion, take a step back and view things as how it would be pertinent in THEIR profession before presenting it. It makes class more enjoyable if you can use analogies that they could possibly encouter or problems they will eventually have to solve in the field. I enjoyed the section of module 4 that gave more ideas about how to make each course relevant to the student. This IS where creativity comes in to play and as an Instructor my abilities can be put to use. I liked the idea of remembering back about our schooling and playing off of what worked well for us. SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY...you can be amazed at how much students can quickly pick up on when you give them EVERYDAY analogies and experiences rather than fancy textbook answers to real-life questions.
Hi Kristin,
Great points. Students do relate if they can see application and relevance to what is being taught. The examples and analogies are excellent ways of getting the information across and helping it to be retained in their minds.
Gary
I can relate to that . Many of my students are high school age and have no relevant experience in the subject . Without using analogies they can identify with , relating the material would be much more difficult .
One word of caution with "general education" classes. Depending upon your school's accreditation and state regulations these lectures may have to remain course independent and "general" in nature. I'd advise checking with the Department Chair before taking an industry relevant direction.
I have found myself simplifying the information I have been giving in lectures also. If I make the lecture as specific to my field as possible the students show more interest and will ask questions or participate in the discussions. Since lecture time is fairly short, I am able to get more relevent information to them that they are able to apply when they are at their clinical sites.
