Relevance
"Conversations about relevance are often skipped, and students have no idea why they are learning the content. Compliant learners might persist anyway, but less motivated students will probably forget everything because they did not understand the value of the experience." - Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, 2020
Relevance Resources
Derived from: The Teacher Clarity Playbook, Fisher, Frey, Amador, Assof, 2020
How is it Used by Teachers?
Taking the time to address relevancy fosters motivation and deepens learning as students begin to make connections to larger concepts (Fisher and Frey).
In general, there are three basic ways to make learning relevant: 1. How the information can be used outside the walls of the classroom (but not too far in the future). 2. Asking questions of students about what they want to learn. 3. Establishing that the value of the lesson will aid them in becoming educated members of the community.
Sometimes, relevance is born of utility: "Learning this means we can do things we couldn't do before."
How is it Used by Students?
Students want to know the following about each lesson:
Why am I learning this?
How does this connect with my previous learning and what I already know?
How will this help me reach the learning intention and success criteria?
