How can you help students apply what they learn in real-world situations?

1 Use scenarios and simulations

Scenarios and simulations are powerful tools to create realistic and immersive learning environments, where students can practice and apply what they learn in a safe and controlled setting. You can use scenarios and simulations to present students with challenges, dilemmas, or situations that require them to use their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make decisions and take actions. For example, you can use a scenario-based learning activity to teach students how to respond to a medical emergency, or a simulation to teach students how to operate a machine or a software. Scenarios and simulations can also provide feedback, guidance, and reflection opportunities for students to improve their performance and learn from their mistakes.

2 Incorporate project-based learning

Project-based learning is a student-centered approach that involves students working on a complex and meaningful project over an extended period of time, usually in teams. The project should address a real-world problem or question that is relevant and interesting to the students, and that requires them to use multiple disciplines, sources, and skills. For example, you can ask students to design a prototype of a product, service, or solution that meets a specific need or demand in their community, or to conduct a research on a topic of their choice and present their findings and recommendations. Project-based learning can help students apply what they learn to authentic tasks, as well as develop their critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.

3 Connect with experts and peers

Another way to help students apply what they learn in real-world situations is to connect them with experts and peers who can share their experiences, insights, and feedback. You can use various educational technology tools and platforms to facilitate online interactions and collaborations between students and experts or peers from different backgrounds, cultures, and locations. For example, you can use video conferencing, social media, or online forums to invite guest speakers, mentors, or role models to your class, or to enable students to participate in virtual field trips, interviews, or discussions. You can also use online learning communities, peer review, or peer tutoring to encourage students to exchange ideas, opinions, and perspectives, and to support each other's learning.

4 Provide opportunities for reflection

Reflection is an essential component of learning, as it helps students process, analyze, and evaluate their own learning experiences, and identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You can use educational technology to provide opportunities for reflection throughout the learning process, and to encourage students to connect their learning to their personal, professional, and social goals. For example, you can use e-portfolios, blogs, or podcasts to ask students to document their learning journey, showcase their achievements, and articulate their learning outcomes. You can also use online surveys, quizzes, or self-assessments to ask students to monitor their progress, check their understanding, and set their learning goals.

5 Align assessment with application

Finally, you can help students apply what they learn in real-world situations by aligning your assessment methods and criteria with the application of knowledge and skills. You can use educational technology to design and implement authentic and performance-based assessments that measure students' ability to use what they learn in realistic and relevant tasks. For example, you can use digital portfolios, rubrics, or badges to assess students' products, processes, or performances, and to provide them with constructive and timely feedback. You can also use online games, quizzes, or scenarios to assess students' decision making, problem solving, or critical thinking skills, and to provide them with immediate and adaptive feedback.

6 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?