I teach culinary students pastry and baking. I know that often when the students read about methods or the function of ingredients they might not realize that it is important. I try to tell them what is important when I lecture on the reading. But even then, I don't think it always comes together. But when we start baking then they can really see why the method they use or ingredients is important in their final product. The hands on examples they get when they apply the concepts from the reading or lecture are what will make it sink in. I also try to tell them during lab how what they do applies to the working world. I think it makes a difference when they can see that.
I have always found that I can remember the info given by the instructor when they give examples of things that have happened to them. It really holds my interest.
People remember best when information is made personal. By providing memorable examples that students can relate to, they will remember the material better.
Hi Lisa!
I like your analogy of "painting a picture". Anytime we have something that helps with recall, it helps us be successful.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
Hi Tammy!
Good point about TV shows and movies. One of the best instructors that I had during my college days often showed TV and movie vignettes and they always made the point.
Thanks for the reminder. Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I believe using memorable examples is helpful for several reasons. For one, the exam itself points out that examples trigger memory better than just rote memorization. From my own teaching, students seem to want to know about your experiences, your successes, and even some of your challenges. It makes you more real and approachable as an instructor.
Using memorable examples is important in getting students to relate to the topic you are discussing while hopefully instilling the information you are trying to relay.
In most fields I think it is critical to "paint a picture" of the concept you are teaching the students. This helps them with both visualizing and understanding the concept as well as retaining it. It is easier for the students to recall stories and experiences.
Memorable examples make the subject more exciting for the students and let them see how what they are learning actually applies in the real world. I also love to relate topics to things that are in movies and TV shows as it gets them thinking a little more than the standard "classroom" example.
Hi Julie!
You certainly have an excellent topic for providing memorable examples. Being able to apply whats being studied to future employment is very important for any learner.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I use my life experiences in class for better understanding and application. I like to use other persons experiences and how they relate to our profession. But sometimes I find it difficult to give examples on remembering some items. I use mnemonics also. Frequently I have them available by web in class.
I totally agree Paul!
From a timesaving standpoint, why don't you think about building the "story time" into your daily class schedule, it might help balance your time. It won't allow for as much spontaneous conversation, but like you said, it otherwise puts an instructor behind.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
well, i teach dental assisting. I found myself taeching everything from sterilization, to mixing cements and alginate to supply and inventory, pretaining to the kitchen from preparing instruments to be sterilized to mixing cookie dough to placing old groceries behind new ones for inventiry cfontrol . It helps people relate skills to every day life
Examples and stories are fun! I personally used to enjoy it when my teachers told examples and stories to explain and apply special concepts. Material sometimes is dry or difficult to memorize, and adding examples is like adding salt, oil and spices to a dish. Students' appetite is ready for more. I love to tell stories and to challenge my students' thinking with debatable questions. But sometimes I have to pay for that time consumed in interesting discussions and more stories from students' side, when I get behind. To be balanced.
Hi Cornelius!
When a student is able to visualize as a result of memorable examples, I have found they do better on exams.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Donna!
Since your course is more directly related to the students profession, real like examples have even more meaning.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
There is a story line to a memorable example. Stories are easy to remember because a student can visualize themselves as one of the characters in the story.
Memorable examples trigger the students memory causing the story to visually reapper. Instructors should utilize memorable examples as a classroom learning tool.
I too agree. I often relate my own experiences in the court reporting profession, or those of some of my friends.
This is especially true for the first day of class when students know that they want this as a career, but are not sure if they have what it takes. I relate to them my first day of class, how intimidated I was, everyone in class seemed to be much younger than I was. I also tell stories of former students who never thought that they would make it and are now working in the field.
Hi Ricky!
I think that it is really important that instructors help students relate academic learning to real-world experiences. We have to have both to be successful.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I try to incorporate as much life experience as possible into each lecture. This makes each lecture relevant to the individual student, what it means to them. In this way, they can incorporate the information in a way that is pertinent to them. Also, I try to affect each student in as many senses as possible, hearing, visual, auditory and to some, memory.
