The Benefits Of Engagement: Non Traditional Technology Students And The New Educator

Teaching non-traditional students often means teaching in a non-traditional environment. Nontraditional may mean, for example, offering evening classes or classes off-campus. The drawbacks of timing and transportation are easily outweighed by the benefits of “engaging” the community, of teaching older, employed students who would otherwise not be able to attend classes. Non-traditional students can contribute an invaluable level of real-world questions, examples, and physical samples. For a new educator in a technical field, this input can be an invaluable asset in helping to involve the class in discussion and providing a connection between the course material and actual industrial practice. This paper gives examples and suggestions for the ways in which the input from non-traditional students can be used to expand and strengthen the classroom learning experience for present as well as future students.