How can you use real-world examples to motivate students?

1 Choose relevant examples

The first step to using real-world examples is to choose ones that are relevant to your students' interests, backgrounds, and goals. Think about what topics, issues, and problems your students care about, and how they relate to your subject matter. For example, if you are teaching math, you can use examples from sports, music, art, or finance to illustrate concepts and calculations. If you are teaching history, you can use examples from current events, pop culture, or personal stories to connect the past and the present.

2 Explain the connections

The second step to using real-world examples is to explain clearly how they connect to the learning objectives and outcomes of your lesson. Don't assume that your students will automatically see the link between the example and the concept. Make sure you explain the purpose, context, and logic of the example, and how it demonstrates or applies the concept. For example, if you are using a video game to teach programming, you can explain how the game uses variables, loops, and functions, and how they work together to create the gameplay.

3 Encourage interaction

The third step to using real-world examples is to encourage interaction and feedback from your students. Don't just present the example and move on. Ask questions, invite comments, and solicit opinions from your students. Encourage them to share their own examples, experiences, and perspectives on the topic. Make the example a starting point for a discussion, a debate, or a project. For example, if you are using a news article to teach critical thinking, you can ask your students to analyze the source, the evidence, and the argument of the article, and to compare it with other sources and viewpoints.

4 Vary the formats

The fourth step to using real-world examples is to vary the formats and sources of the examples. Don't rely on only one type of example, such as text, images, or videos. Use a variety of media and formats, such as podcasts, infographics, simulations, or games. This will help you cater to different learning styles, preferences, and abilities of your students. It will also help you keep your lessons fresh, dynamic, and interesting. For example, if you are teaching science, you can use experiments, demonstrations, animations, or documentaries to show real-world phenomena and processes.

5 Assess the learning

The fifth step to using real-world examples is to assess the learning and impact of the examples. Don't just use the examples as a way to introduce or illustrate a concept. Use them as a way to measure and evaluate your students' understanding, application, and transfer of the concept. You can use quizzes, tests, assignments, or projects to assess how well your students can use the concept in real-world contexts and situations. For example, if you are teaching writing, you can use real-world texts, such as emails, blogs, or reports, to assess your students' writing skills and strategies.

6 Review and reflect

The sixth step to using real-world examples is to review and reflect on the effectiveness and appropriateness of the examples. Don't just use the same examples over and over again. Review and update your examples regularly, and seek feedback from your students, colleagues, and experts. Reflect on how the examples help or hinder your students' learning, engagement, and motivation. Consider how you can improve, modify, or replace your examples to better suit your students' needs and goals. For example, if you are teaching geography, you can use real-world maps, data, or trends to review and reflect on the changes and challenges in the world.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?