Hi Rose!
I've always felt like experience is the best teacher.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
When memorable examples are used they assist the student in remebering key points in the lecture. They have a better understanding of the concept and are able to apply it to their learning.
Memorable examples aid in learning retention because the memories or experiences are what the students can relate to.
For instance we are covering flashbulb memories as part of our psychology class, and knowing where someone was when JFK was shot, where they were on 9/11... the memory of birthing their fist child, all help stimulate discussion as well as "lock in" the related class information.
I use my 32 years of automotive experience to show a vivid picture of the course material, an example is when I teach the effects of using shop air to a 134a condenser the mixture of air and the refrigerant will become explosive I had a experience of a past technician doing this and the condenser blew up in his face causing a major injery to his face.
I try to use example from offices that I have worked at. Relating the information to a real life situation helps the students to relate to the material and to better understand.
By using memorable examples a student can tap into their eposodic memory abilities to bridge prior learned materials with newly learned concepts. Paul T. Rougemont
I like to go over some of my field experiences - it seems to get theeir attention and giving real life experiences seems to get their attention
Hi Pamela!
Memory by association helps us to remember details with which we otherwise might have difficulty remembering.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106
You know it does lighten up the mood in the classroom. Through stories I can use humor to make my points. It is great to have a student see you years later and recall one of your stories. You know that the story worked, at least that one time! HA!
People,in general, love great stories. If they can connect a great story with the subject being taught, it makes it much easier to retain the material. It also lightens up the classroom mood.
Examples and "stories" help the students to personalize the material. Hopefully they will picture themselves possessing the skill/s. Instructors with experience in the subject matter can have valuable examples to lend to the class.
I believe that when I tie a story/memorable example to a lecture or any point I am trying to make, students remember the information better.
I am a nursing instructor so always try to have stories or examples ready. If I run dry then have case studeis on hand.
The material in the textbook tends to be academic, dry and difficult to remember. I try to reach into my experience and give examples that have color. They need to be real and have some emotion attached to them. Then the academic information can put some boundaries on the experince and give reasons for it.
Nicely put, Stephen. Each student has his/her own unique way of learning. Some learn by reading the textbook, others by hands-on application, others by listening...we, as instructors, have to utilize a variety of techniques to reach our students' learning needs.
Hi Donna, I agree that introducing your own experiences into the classroom helps students to better understand the material. In business, I am often able to use current events to reinforce course materials, such as the Enron scandal for social responsibility and ethics.
Memorable examples helps students to internalize the course content. The students are able to break down the information into an understandable form finding similarities with their own (or others') experiences. Application is a person's best teacher.
Makes it more relevant - doesn't it?
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Anna!
Human nature such that it is - if we can associate a concept with real life - we retain that info much better.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Jay,
I have tried it both ways. I have noticed that if I am strapped for time and cut out some of my stories, that is the part of my test that they score lower in. I have even tried it with different parts of my lectures with different stories and find the same result. Proving that the stories support the lecture and are as vital as the information presented in the lecture itself.
Ron
