Get Your Students Hired
What are some ways you can show your students the relevancy of your course?
I think by telling real world examples of your own experience keeping it in context with the topic of course
Simulation, simulation, simulation. I does not have to be high fidelity. Something as simple as writing a nursing note o working with a small group to complete a case study will do.
Examples are always a good way to put class content into realistic points. However, I believe asking the students to provide examples how they believe the course content will benefit them takes this a step further by engaging the students.
I teach automotive diagnostic tools and use real world stories of how I diagnosed and repaired vehicles using the tools that we teach
Discussing the syllabus with the class on the first day of class. Highlighting the class objectives and what is going to be expected of them. Also giving them a detailed calendar explaining when assignments are due and when quizzes will be given.
During the first day of class I have my syllabus outlined as to what is expected as outcomes when completing the course as well as what we will do each week. I also during lecture bring in real life situations that are currently a hot topic in the news or something I have confronted in life and we discuss. I also let all of my students know why the class I am teaching is going to be important in their new career and how they will need it in their career.
This is not as difficult to do in the fields of cosmetology/barbering/esthetics, which are the fields in which I instruct. However, there are certain theory subjects or even practical applications that students have difficulty finding relevant. For example, a specific styling technique must be taught that, in all honesty, is rarely if ever performed in salons anymore. It is a dated style, and the students simply are not as interested in learning that material. The best methods I have found to keep their interest and show relevancy of these sections of the course are to break down specific techniques that will be used in other areas that they find more relevant. Although they may not understand learning a specific outdated styling technique, there are methods used within that technique that will be used in other areas of the course. I attempt to find any technique or method used within these areas and relate them other usages of the technique within that career field.
I can show the relevance of course content by giving examples from experiences in my field of expertise.
I also teach in a culinary school and try to incorporate their world into my class. For example, each day I choose a different "Sous Chef" to open up the class with various tasks I have and to be the general student helper that day. It gives them a chance to develop leadership and be more engaged.
Before I begin the content presentation of the day, I show a quick food Powerpoint about different aspects of the industry. They love it!
By implementing creative ways to retain their focus while encouraging them to learn and apply the knowledge they receive to their chosen vocation.
Hi Ehtisham,
I like to express/show the students how the course is going to benefit them in their career and/or personally.
Patricia Scales
As a practicing therapist, i usually discuss relevancy of course material by presenting examples in story form of how the techniques are incorporated weekly or from past experiences. One important lesson was from a student who resided in a neighbor state,(that state did not offer as many classes as ours), so my student then noticed all her friends that were educated in her home state were not ready to take on the therapeutic conditions that presented. This then gave my student(Now Licensed) all the business her friends were too intimidated to work on. A comprehensive program can benefit ones future business, so curriculum could look good on paper(time wise) but not be advantageous for the long haul.
Hi James,
Money is always a way to motivate students and to get them excited about the course content.
Patricia Scales
The best way in my line of instruction is to draw a straight line from the topics being covered to specific examples of business success experienced by me or by other well-known figures in our field. Demonstrating how a particular piece of information got someone paid always gets their attention.
Hi Michael,
It is good for students to know that what they are learning in the classroom will be applied in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I teach medical classes mostly and like to use real life examples of how the work that they will be doing will positively impact the patients that they are serving. This helps to make the concepts and theories being taught a little easier for some to understand.
Before class starts on day one I pull out examples of all of the test we will be performing during the term this way when I am going over the syllabus I have things to show the students so they can start to make a correlation. I stress to them the importance of being in class so they will have these skills when they go out into the field. This has always been very helpful. I have also pulled out the items need for drawing blood. This way they have a visual.
Gloria
The one way that I have shown the students relevancy to the program is to make sure that my syllabus is showing them all of the units that we will cover in the 12 weeks of our class. I have also gone over the skills that we will be performing during this term. Because I teach a clinical class I have all of the kits on the table of each skill we will be learning so the students can see why it is important for them to be in class. I make sure to ask questions when going over the syllabus this gets the students engaged before we really get into the material. I believe that once I show the students all of the material then that helps to get them excited about the class