Show students can see their achievements and is a functional tool of learning.
Hi Sunshine,
Showing students examples is definitely a win-win situation. Students know exactly what is expected of them and instructors can have the finished product to show to ensure thorough explanation.
Patricia
Students are generally anxious about how instructors grade and the type and amount of work expected during the course. Providing them with examples of the work they will be doing can ease that anxiety and establish expectations from the start.
This practice can also help reduce the number of late assignments instructors receive. By giving them an overview of the work they will be expected to complete throughout the course, I can help them establish a plan now to avoid missed deadlines later.
I also find that my students represent a wide range of skill levels. By showing them examples of the work they will be doing, I establish the quality of work they should be striving for and give them an understanding of how I will assess their work.
It will provide them tangible samples of what is expected of them.
to make sure they understand what is needed to complete the course.What they are expected to do.
This is very important because students need to know the class standards and expectations; the clearest way to convey this is through an example. I teach writing, and when I show the students examples of great papers I've had before, most are motivated because they want to be the next student whose paper I use as an example. I try to make the example good yet unintimidating so the students truly believe they can achieve the same standard. The last thing I want to do is leave a student thinking "I can't do that."
Examples help student understand the value to spending their time on the class. It makes it mean more to them and it will help them be more motivated to perform better.
Thanks,
Lisa
Showing examples of student work to first-time students in a course always gives the newcomers the sense of "I can do it too." Real examples for students to see are, I think, inspiring to them and goes beyond the theory of what they have to do in a class to seeing a real product done by someone just like them!
Showing examples of the work that they will be doing in the upcoming course can elivate alot of the guess work of what is expected in the course.
I believe by showing an example, and providing questions that the assignment should answer is an excellent way to show to your students what is expected on the assignment. For example, if I am assigning Algebra problems, I usually would select the problems that have an example worked out in the chapter that is being discuss.
Hi Richard,
I concur! The students come in on Day 1 wanting to know exactly what is required of them.
Patricia
Hi Mariann,
Sudents need to know exactly what is expected of them as soon as possible. Always make sure to lay ground rules on Day 1. Getting off to a smooth start is important.
Patricia
I agree. If you set clear expectation in the being of the terms, the students know what is expected of them .It then decreases their stress level. Giving a syllabus on the first day of class also helps .I also agree when students know how they will be evaluated they feel more at ease.
Mariann Urbancsik
Comparative learning is the most effective teaching method I've come across. When I return student assignments, I always give them a "sample" answer, so that they can compare what they've done with how I would have done it. Sometimes I then require a self-assessment, which forces them to compare.
Setting clear expectations is huge, especially for adult learners. They want the criteria in advance. Having been in the work world, they are used to having clear expectations laid out, and knowing how they will be evaluated makes them more comfortable with the process.
It gives them guide lines to see what is acceptable work .. then if they submit something tht is too short on not in expected format they have no excuses as the style was presented to them as an example of what to expect
Hi Ken,
Seeing is believing! Students have more confidence that they can do the assignment once being shown an example.
Patricia
It represents a tangible, concrete example of a specific assignment. Many students require the visualization of "seeing" a finished product. It also allows for some possible brainstorming related to the work or assignment.
It is helpful to show students examples of the work they will be doing in the upcoming course to keep them motivated and keep their eyes on the prize.
Although, I teach medical terminology for the surgical technologist,I support the lecture with pictures of the operating room schedule board to show medical terms of the surgical procedure names followed by a real operating room schedule in their hands.Knowing that the schedule is what will help them determine their course of action in the operating room gives them much excitment and motivation.
It provides a basis for what is expected and what others have done. Depending on the project it can also lend excitment to the class.
