Hi Lorraine,
I agree! Examples add great clarity, and they serve as motivators.
Patricia Scales
Hi Denise,
Seeing an example solidifies in the student's mind exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
Showing examples of student work gives students tangible, concrete examples of what is expected of them. Better yet if this includes examples of poor, mediocre, and good work.
They simply must have something concrete to wrap their minds around. This often seems like the most anxiety-producing aspect of starting a course, and the more concrete examples they have, the more that anxiety is alleviated.
It is helpful to show students examples of the work they will be doing in the upcoming course because it helps the students to actually see what is expected of them verses just being told. Also, it can serve as a baseline to generate ideas from and help to reduce any anticipation they may have. Many students are visual learners therefore seeing examples of the work they will be required to complete may help them better prepare and successfully complete the work when assigned.
Showing students examples of assignments that are on the syllabus is very important. I always print out a criteria sheet with specific required information for the assignment. Then I show the previous classes work as some examples. I always note my favorite examples with explanations and my least favorite examples with explanations. This seems to encourage the students and get their ideas flowing. I have been doing the same project for two years and each quarter the results get better. I love the projects some much I save them and show them off to other programs along with my friends and family.
Hi Gary,
Students love it when they have a visual to go by to do a particular project. Students tend to get it when they can see it!
Patricia Scales
I have used "models" of best work, meaning I developed an example with the necessary components built in. (Or a rubric) I can appreciate the idea of sharing a student's best work so it's more personal, ie, "This is one of your peer's best examples I have seen." I have never used a worse example but I will consider it for certain assignments.
Showing examples give the visual smart students what your expectations are for that particular assignment. I always felt that if I give a rubric that is sufficient to know what I expected, however some students learn best through an actual example (s) of the assignment.
When teaching Fundamentals of Design, Color Theory & Drawing it's imperative for students to review visual information - examples of successful student work as well as those in the "don't let this happen to you" category can help clarify the assignments and encourage further discussion.
This gives them an example of what exactly their assignments should look like. You can use this time to discuss the assignment yet again briefly.
Hi Hannah,
Seeing is believing and generate a better sense of understanding.
Patricia Scales
I agree that showing examples is helpful to students...
As they say pictures speak a thousand words. I will often show a variety of examples.
I would consider negative or unsuccessful examples a waste of time in teaching photography courses. Better to show them what works and show them multiple solutions and creative interpretations of the assignment, as done by both career professionals and other students. Being challenged to make work that may be part of the slides for next semester's class often serves as an incentive.
Hi Pam,
Students love it when examples are shared! They better understand what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
I like to save examples of former students papers that they have written so that the other students know exactly how to do them
This approach takes away the guess work so that the student can focus on the concepts and content.
I feel this gives each student a clear expecation and saves time by anawering questions that the students may have.
Hi Michael,
Students absolutely love being shown examples. Examples make for better clarity.
Patricia Scales
This method has proven very useful for me. The more examples I give at the beginning of the course, the better the students are prepared to accomplish the tasks on their own. It really increases their confidence in what they are doing and engages them.
