I have come to realise that teaching within Higher Education provides a huge challenge in ensuring that we provide our students with the tools that will allow them to adapt to the ever changing professional environment into which they are about to step. Understanding the current needs of employers whilst predicting future requirements has to be part of the higher education lecturer remit. I have found recently that a number of students underestimate the technical training required to successfully enter their chosen industry. Undertaking a student online questionnaire during tutorials highlighted that 80% of current sports management students have not worked in an appropriate industry environment and do not hold a required technical qualification.
This along with broad tutorial discussions and a recent course trip to Cardiff, has reshaped my strategy for the current programme. It has encouraged me to think about providing more industry specific experiences for students at all levels running alongside traditional theory based lectures. Exposing students to in class discussions and images has more impact if we can then follow it up with a real life experience - allowing students to understand the atmosphere, noise, and practical decision making issues. Engaging them in an environment that is dynamic, and inspiring will give them an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge with skills and technical abilities that will support their long term development.
I can relate to what you are saying here Steve as some of my most successful lessons have been where the students can perceive how the topic fits into the professional world. I think it is important for students to have opportunities to apply theory to practice and whilst we try to create realistic situations nothing can replace a real life experience.
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