This sounds like something I just recently started doing myself. I am still shaping how it goes, so reading your review was very helpful. Thank you!
I agree that giving the rubric and showing examples is both important. What I recently started doing is giving them the rubric, and then going over previous work examples and trying to assess what requirements were met and not met. I also remind my students that it is easy to see mistakes in other people's work, so they need to remember what they say about that when they work on their own projects.
SO they know what to expect.
Hi Jay,
Students love being shown an example. It truly puts the student's nerve at ease. It also gives them confidence that they can do well on the assignment...it can get done.
Patricia
Hi Laura,
Showing examples really do add clarity as well as give students confidence that the project is doable.
Patricia
Showing examples of student work can also give the new student an idea of what they can do with the added knowledge and skills learned in the course. This may tend to exite them about the course and the learning they may have in the future.
Showing examples takes away the unknown, the wondering about "Can I do this?". Even with examples there are questions about how the particular student will individualize and adapt to the concept and task. There needs to be immediate feedback to know that correct communication has occurred.
Showing students examples of the work they will be doing in the cours serves several purposes. First, it helps to relieve student anxiety and lets them know what to expect in the class. Also, showing examples help the students understand what is expected for assignments and how they will be evaluated. In addition, giving examples assists students in learning the material as well as see how it is relative to their chosen field of study.
Jay
I agree it shows the students the final outcome and the instructor is not explaining excessivly
I agree. The syllabus should be clear enough around expectations. That should involve how each assignment is going to be evaluated. A rubric would relay be helpful to clarify grading criteria.
It helps them understand what they are working toward learning. I teach accounting, and showing financial statements and reports helps them understand what the result of all their work effort will be in a real career situation. It's also important to help them understand why the documents are important, of course, but seeing the finished product gives them a framework in their head as they begin.
Hi Jolyn,
Showing examples really does add clarity. Students need to and want to hear theory other than what's in the book. Anytime you can share a personal experience that is applicable to the lesson you should.
Patricia
Hi Kimberly,
I like to use both methods because that way I am probably reaching ALL or at least the majority of my students. As you stated, every student learns differently, and we need to teach to all.
Patricia
Hi Melissa,
I always stress to my students that they can be as creative as they like as long as they meet the objectives. We do not want examples to paralyze a student's creativity. We just use the examples to make things clearer, to give the student ideas, and to show that the project is definitely doable.
Patricia
Hi Teresa,
Interpretation can certainly differ. I have found that sharing examples really do help clarify any misunderstandings.
Patricia
I believe showing examples help students get a clear visual of what is expected from the instructors. When I was a student I would have given any thing if my instructors gave me some visual aids for some of the difficult assignments. I know this may be a contradiction of what I just stated but I don't think as instructors we should spoon feed our adult students but I do think showing them a little more instructions will help them understand what we are asking of them.
I know. I have been one of those students. Some how a person can interpret something totaly different when stressed and trying to do a paper even looking at the example a person can panic.
I agree that showing several examples is very important. Rarely is there only one right way to do something. Students need to know they have the freedom to be creative and submit a project that meets the objectives while still showcasing their talents and styles.
As a student I found examples very helpful to guide me in the direction the instructor was thinking. It can be challenging and intimidating to read the expectations and know that somehow you have figured it out. Most of us do not like to ask questions because we do not want to appear dumb. As much as we preach to our students that "there are really no dumb questions", most of us are still hesitant to be the one to ask the question in front of our peers and seem like the only one that does not get it.
Showing an example also provides one more way to involve more learning strategies. We know that our students will have many different learning styles. The more ways we find to meet the needs of different learning styles the more we can help our students be successful.
Agreed. Visual will get the point with less effort and encourage the students.
