Student does have problem remembering technical infromation . I have found that if you use a memorable life experience example it helps the student better retain the materials at hand.The example is designed to recall the material using known easy to recall phases or words.
I agree totally Irish, theory is necessary but real life experiences helps the students relate ti=o real life. This also can simplify the information and therefore facilitate retention. Keep it short, sweet and reletive and you will achieve better results.
I have found that students want to know how this topic relates to them personally, regardless of the academic level. Although college students take courses, I hear them complain why should they be required to take a certain course. If each student is shown the practical application in the subject, the course becomes more meaningful in their lives.
Hi Shan!
I do agree that having every student share memorable experiences is almost impossible in a classroom. As an instructor, being able to recognize when a student has a experience worth sharing allows all students to benefit. And - it is absolutely important that instructors are able to provide real world experiences for best student outcomes.
You are definitely on the right track. Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
It helps to make the content more relevant when the students can relate it to a story.
I think somehow making the subject or point relate to the individual student makes for improved retention, but gaining that knowledge
about every student is difficult.
If I can relate to my students on a day to day basis as a whole wouldn't that work as well?
Hi Kilyoung!
GREAT! It makes the most sense to me. That's what we are preparing students for - the real world. I do believe the more exposure we can give them, the more successful they will be.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I like your response about using real world experience in teaching subject matters so that students can relate.
Memorable examples are valuable in assisting students with retaining course content because an individual will remember that which is most relevant and applicable to them. That is, if the teacher provides a relevant and identifiable example to illustrate a concept then the student is more likely to understand and recall the knowledge/content. Memorable examples are crucial because they involve using life examples and experiences for illustrative purposes. Also, a student is also to make a connection between their life experiences and the content at hand.
In most of my classes, I've found that it's even more useful when students are asked for their examples. It helps everyone concentrate on the applicability of the topic to their lives.
The best teacher in my life always used memorable examples. And she worked them in very well, so well that I still remember and use them in my classroom. I've had sing-alongs to "Pretty Woman" and "Hey There Little Red Riding Hood" to support the teaching of literature involving stalkers (Where are you going, Where have you been). The best examples make the course content more memorable because they apply to more than one learning style...and they increase our interpersonal relationships with our students.
Students need to understand that failure is not a poor accomplishment but one of a learning opportunity.
Memorable examples help students relate to the material and see how concepts and theories apply outside the classroom. It also helps to paint a verbal image for the students which can help them retain the information.
In my teaching experience I have found no better tool than that of linking information that needs to be learned to a "real world" experience. The experience could either be one of success or failure and sometimes examples of failures do more for the learning process.
Letting students see that education is really about learning life skills makes the lessons that more enjoyable. They will tend to think more about their learning outside the class when they encounter a situation that was discussed.
Using google, you tube, the apple series of devices, and all of the technological advances that have come around is defintely a must in this day and age. Not that books and pens and paper are obsolete but the speed and amount of information and programs available at the touch of a button allows the students to get many perspectives or sources in one location. If the information is readily available, the instructor/facilitator only needs to decide how it is delivered to the student.
Hi James!
What you are actually doing is acknowledging the different generations of students that you have in a class! In courses that I have facilitated, a very popular topic is the differences in generations which impacts the job market. Students are so amazed when they realize how differently each generation approaches both their personal and professional lifes.
As instructors/facilitators, we can certainly take advantage of these differences in the classroom and be very creative in our delivery of information. For example, I have seen some amazing things that can be done with the IPOD phone. For group projects, the current generation could use "their" technology to assist them in development and delivery of their project.
Do you have any comments on these thoughts?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 facilitator
I find that depending on the age difference between students, using movies and current events is a useful tool. It gives them a foundation to relate to the material. If they have already memorized the actor/actresses name or the scene being referred to it gives them an opportunity to start with something that they have already partially "cemented" into their mind. This way they just have to make the connection from the new concept to what they already know. Partnering new information with something thats already familiar in their mind will help them to memorize without the shock of feeling like they will be overwhelmed with new facts.
Hi Gina!
I couldn't agree more. When the transfer of information occurs it must be meaningful in some way for learning to take place. Our persent learning is based on heredity, environment and past life experiences and instructors/facilitators have to be able provide relevant examples. The challenge in making examples relevant is the student diversity.
So how do we find a common denominator in our classrooms for giving successful/relevant
examples?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I agree that relating the information to real life experiences makes the information more managable and pertinent. Students are more apt to listen and ask questions if they understand how the topic relates to them.
