Examples of upcoming course work can be very important to help guide students in the layout and what is expected within the course. Examples can also be very motivating and keep them on the right path.
Examples provide a strong visual to which students may respond with more vigor and comprehension. There is no student who will not respond to proper input just as there is no teacher who will not benefit from proper management. What I like to watch for are the students who respond to other sources of stimulation and elucidation and who may be better served by different approaches.
I agree Heather.It helps carify what they need to do.
It help the students know what is expected from them ahead of time
This is important because they are already confused. Reading the textbook before the first night creates a lot of anxiety. It is a great way to settle their fears and let them know a little of what it is all about.
On the first night of class, I would give the students a medical narrative so that they could see what a medical record looked like and I would show them how I came up with the codes. Students sometimes think they are only dealing with one set of codes, which we all know is not true.
In the past, when I taught at a junior college, I found a way to get the students excited by telling them on the first night that we would take a field trip a couple of months down the road to visit our local AAPC monthly meeting. I wanted them to have a couple of months of lessons and assignments before I took them out in the real world. I gave them a flyer of a past meeting to give them an idea of the things that are discussed at this meeting.
I believe if you show the students examples of the work that is expected of them, it 1) gives them a sense of comfort as there is no fear of the unknown, and 2)it also lets them know the extent of the work that is required. For example if you assign a book report, a student might just think they have to jot down a couple of paragraphs about the book. However, if the book report requires a title page, a summary, pictures and descriptions of important events that take place in the book, and the student's reaction to the book, seeing the example will clarify the expectation, and assist the student in getting a better grade because he/she is now aware of what is required.
Showing examples will give the students a clearer understanding of the expectations for the class and the course objectives. Students have different learning styles and it will help the instructor know the learning styles of her students early on so she can tailor her instructional methods to accomodate all of these.
Demo end product and the correct steps it takes to get the correct finial result.
Hi Jana,
I like your perspective! Let's all work on easing students fear.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jordan,
I concur! Great clarity is added when visuals are shared.
Patricia Scales
By showing examples of the work in an upcoming course will eliminate part of the stress the student is feeling about the new class. An example of a doable assignment will give the student a visual object rather than the monster they are probably imagining. I remember all to well the feelings I had every time I started a new class. My mind was racing with thoughts of overwhelming, impossible expectations and that I should run immediately!
Anything I can do as an instructor to reduce those thoughts in the student hopefully will keep them from running!
showing examples is very important; since it clarifies students on what they have to do.
Hi Sharena,
Students have a better understanding when they can see what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
It is very important to show examples and give detail instuctions for the students to follow. This unable student to have a better and understanding of assignments to come as well!!
Hi Sharena,
I concur that better clarity is added when examples are shared.
Patricia Scales
This gives the students a guide and better understanding of their course requirements.
Patricia,
Examples help people visualize and scope their effort. I for one, like to see examples because they also tell me what is well within the parameters of acceptability to the instructor. It also provides leads for what I (seeing it from a student's perspetive) might provide in the course.
Bill
I think showing examples helps especially when we are dealing with a large cross cultural population where there may be 'understanding anxiety'.
