Most of us grew up listening to stories that helped us to relate to events going on in our lives. Using this technique in the classroom not only provides valuable examples for students but assists students in feeling comfortable in the classroom environment.
For me, being able to create an image of a concept has always been the best way for me to understand and remember concepts and ideas. Lately, I have been trying to give examples of concepts and ideas to my students through stories and visuals in an attempt to help them "see" the concept or idea and its application. It seems to me that these attempts have been fairly well received.
I always try to use concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts, and concrete examples are similar to memorable examples. I have found that using concrete/memorable examples helps students not only to understand abstract concepts, but also helps them to retain the concepts and definitions they learn.
I use memorable examples during class so that my students understand what happens in the dental office and so that they can take my experienes and learn from them. This also helps them to understand the material better.
I think the best kind of memorable examples for the subject I teach are practical/anecdotal examples. It helps students retain the information in an applicable way, and allows them to have a real-world based understanding of the concept.
I always like to provide personal experiences relating to the topic or a powerful example to drive a point home and to make sure that the students always have a real-life example to relate the content to.
A large number of students in the class I teach are visual learners. By giving them memorable visual examples, creating an illustration, and associating it with a fun rhyme or saying, I can make the concept appeal to a range of learning styles. I've found students tend to remember concepts associated with memorable real life example more easily.
It's valuable because it shows the students the quality of work that I am looking for. Also by showing them good examples it makes them push themselves more to do even better then what I showed. In my experience it helps to show students other students work, because it shows them that they can do just as good of quality of work.
Whenever the opportunity arises in a lecture, I always share personal experiences with the students. By sharing relevent examples, students connect with the topic and content of the lecture.
As discussed, examples allow for more affective memorization. But beyond the physiology and psychology, I prefer using them because it personalizes things that are being discussed as well as showing real life correlation.
Using real life examples throughout the class makes what they are learning a little more real to them. They can relate to the instructor and it shows them you had to learn the ropes just like they are. It helps to create a team environment. Through team activities it will help them remember the concepts you have talked about.
I have been teaching computer courses for over twenty years and I use the memorable examples each class. I tell stories to give the students ques to assist in remembering. If there is some humor in the story, it is that much easier for them to remember and relate to.
Hugh,
yes, this is a great statement & it can really provide a peg for remembering content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Agree. I teach math and since I both worked as an Aeronautical Engineer and served as a pilot in the Air Force I use examples to show how math impacts everything we do.
I my opinion their most important purpose is to serve as a "minds eye" visual representation that will be remembered.
James,
yes, these active discussions are a great way to reinforce ideas or to help other students lock onto the ideas for the first time.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It's amazing how some students pick up on a quick analogy about something related to subject matter. When you try to move on they often times stop you and want to get back to what you said. This brings the entire class together as those who did not catch it the first time, are now interested to see what they missed.
Memorable examples help students understand the material by connecting it with their own experiences. In technology classes especially, I find that health students often wonder why computers are needed in their careers. I used real world examples and my own experiences to help them make the connection.
Maryl,
yes, the real life examples & stories are great. And, in case anyone is worried about the confidentiality, the details are needed as the students get the idea without the private information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Using examples, or "Job Stories" help cement the knowledge much better than just memorizing the material. The students love my stories, and often we can laugh about things and have a little fun. Sometimes they come back to me years later to tell me how my stories helped them to remember a key concept.
I am careful to avoid details such as which facility I was working at the time, and keeping my examples free of identifiable patient information to avoid a breach of confidentiality.
