Never a Dull Lesson: Bringing the Real World into Your Classroom

By Linda Burkley, APR, RMP

One of the things I loved most about my career in public relations was that there was something new and different every day. “Never a dull moment,” as my grandmother often said about life. But while that love of constant change and excitement is exhilarating in the day-to-day grind of a job, it is hard to transition that into classroom learning. Since becoming an educator, I have worked hard to incorporate real-world experiences and scenarios into my classes to help prepare students to succeed in our dynamic industry, which is grounded in practical, real-time responses to complex situations.

By engaging in real-world scenarios, students gain valuable experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. These real-world applications allow students to develop critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, all essential for addressing the unpredictable challenges they will face in their field. Regardless of the discipline you teach, here are some of my approaches to help introduce students to the “real world” (wherever that is!)

1. Start with Case Studies, and Let Students Lead the Discussion

Case studies are an easy first step toward real-world relevance. By incorporating actual scenarios from the recent news cycle or your field, you give students a concrete example of abstract concepts. But here’s a twist — rather than simply presenting the case study, assign students roles to analyze and discuss it.

If you teach business or economics, for instance, find a recent case about a company facing an ethical dilemma. Give each student a role (like CEO, marketing director, or manufacturing worker) and ask them to debate and propose solutions from their perspective. This active engagement deepens their understanding and mimics real workplace decision-making.

In courses like sociology or environmental studies, pick a recent policy change or environmental issue and ask students to predict the outcomes or consequences, presenting arguments based on their roles as policymakers, scientists, or community members. These role-playing exercises prepare students to analyze and solve issues using perspectives they’ll encounter beyond graduation.

2. Get Creative with Guest Speakers and Virtual Tours

Guest speakers don’t always need to visit in person — I always say virtual visits are the best thing to come out of the pandemic. Technology has made it easier than ever to bring in experts from across the globe. By introducing students to a guest who works in a field related to your course, you bring the world into the classroom, giving your students firsthand insights that textbooks often miss. I try to tap into our university’s alumni who are always happy to give us their time.

If you prefer another approach, try reaching out to a museum curator for a virtual talk. You might also consider virtual tours of facilities or locations that students wouldn’t otherwise have access to — labs, archives, or studios.

3. Design Assignments that Mimic Real-World Tasks

Assignments are a powerful tool for making course material come alive. Instead of the classic paper or test, consider assignments that simulate actual job tasks. In a marketing class, for example, an assignment could be to develop a campaign strategy for a new product or service, complete with research, creative assets, and a pitch presentation.

In a political science class, students could draft policy briefs or position papers on current issues, aligning with roles they might pursue as analysts or advocates. For education majors, assignments might involve creating a week-long lesson plan for a specific grade level or content area, preparing them for the real demands of classroom work.

Consider leveraging technologies students are likely to encounter in their careers as well. For instance, if you teach journalism, have students produce a podcast episode instead of writing a traditional article, learning the ropes of audio editing in the process. These assignments are not only educational but also create valuable additions to a portfolio students can showcase to future employers.

4. Use Simulations for Hands-On Learning

Many finance classes use stock market simulators where students can invest virtual money based on real-time stock prices. In this way, they experience market dynamics and the pressures of decision-making without the real-world risk. There are prepared simulations for many different experiences — you just have to do some research. Stukent offers simulations in a variety of courses from digital advertising and public relations to accounting and marketing. My PR students have found great value in the Stukent Public Relations Simternship, where they can work independently as a PR professional in real-world scenarios, getting instant feedback on their decisions and answers.

5. Embrace Current Events as Teaching Moments

The news is a treasure trove for teachable moments across virtually all subjects. Stay attuned to current events, and don’t hesitate to incorporate them into your lessons. When I teach crisis management, I can find a new crisis to discuss in every single class, and students are excited to connect our discussions to what real companies and organizations facing crises are doing. We also set up a “news watch” where students are expected to bring articles to class for discussion. They provide a quick summary of what they know about the crisis, and as a class we discuss how the company should move forward.

A Win-Win for You and Your Students

Integrating real-world scenarios into your teaching doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire syllabus. By making small but meaningful changes — such as employing case studies, using technology creatively, and giving students tasks that mirror professional challenges — you can enrich your students’ overall educational experience and provide reasons that will excite them about entering their field of study as a professional.

Not only will your students leave your class better prepared for the real world, you’ll also likely find renewed satisfaction and engagement in your teaching by seeing your students make these connections. It’s a win-win that brings learning to life!

Linda Burkley, APR, RMP is a lecturer in public relations at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, and the author of the "PR Writing: Style & Strategy" courseware.