Memorable examples helps the student relate their learning to real life situations. Adult Learners need relevance
I find that students retain information better from a 'hands on' environment. By relaying past real life experiences, it keeps students interested while relaying important concepts and taking a break from the normal lecture classroom atmosphere.
Thanks, Vipan, to your point, providing and asking for real-world examples is a powerful teaching technique!
Jay Hollowell
ED106
I find giving a combination of both examples from the subject matter being covered as well as from basic general life experiences that all can relate to are the most effective way of getting across the material. Often times the student will give me "my example" back to me which tells me they understood and were listening.
I find giving a combination of both examples from the subject matter being covered as well as from basic general life experiences that all can relate to are the most effective way of getting across the material. Often times the student will give me "my example" back to me which tells me they understood and were listening.
Agree. It is about application (correct or incorrect application). A memorable example can solicit responses from student experiences and further enlighted or cement learning by personalizing the the lesson.
i like to use the mistakes that I made when I was working in a practice. Some were pretty bad mistakes and I tell the students to learn from them and don't make the same error. The students seem to be impressed that I am so honest and relate the screw ups and it seems that they do not expect that from their instructor. I stated that I am not perfect and all of us make errors
They are valuable because the students like real life experiences on what they might expect to see in the field. Sometimes the example might relate to the students experience either way it gets them into the subject matter.
I feel that examples are a vital part of each discussion. First it gets away from the lecture for a moment whil breaking things up and they respond very well and always seeem interested in my stories. Then I allow them to share stories of their own.
From my experience, memorable examples work best if they're taken from life.
Any time I can interject a story from my past that relates to what my students are supposed to be learning - the lesson seems to hit home.
This is especially true if I can exaggerate a bit, and if the story had some sort of negative impact on me — we learn from our mistakes — I hope that my students can learn from mine and avoid them if they come up.
Not that I want to be a martyr, but a little self deprecation seems to get the students to see me as a person rather than a talking head.
Memorable examples help students make a stronger connection with the subject at hand. It is important to site examples that are relatable and that you can refer back to as the class progresses.
As I relate war stories of my 35 years as an executive chef I have many real life examples to my food science and sanitation classes to draw from. With a slight bit of exaggeration and hyperbole I get the entire classes attention and focus when I give my two or three stories per class. Long after these students have graduated and are in the industry they still remember my stories, and the pertinent information that goes with the stories!
I often refer to real-life examples of my expereience when it comes to importance of various highlights within techniques. A recent example : knowing your ingrediendts at all times! I recently catered a dinner party and served hot chocolate souffle. Instead of using saugar to line the ramekins I used salt, and kosher! The students' eyes always get big when I relate this story but trust me it's easy to make these kind of mistakes- and that it is the point.
I agree when you give a real life example it makes the subject more useful to the students. Such has using percent when calculating the price of an item on sale.
By using memorable examples from my own experieces it not only helps the student relate to the subject, but it also helps the student feel more relaxed.
Using Memorable examples paint a picture in the students mind and allow for reflection and thought.
By giving student a memorable example it gives them an example to refect upon ,to help make up for for their lack of real life memories
I agree, it is essential that students see how the class relates to them. I try and show how the class fits into other classes they will take in college. For example I'll ask in class how can you use what you are learning in this class in other classes. This allows student's to see the bigger picture how the class is relative to their college experience.
Memory is largely an emotional beast. By using stories and examples that evoke an emotional response it helps them to recall the details of what made them feel a particular way.
Teaching criminal justice and sociology it is easy to come up with humorous and sometimes tragic stories that exemplify the material being covered.
Examples and stories let students know that you are teaching this subject for a reason. There are practical applications for the lesson.
