Using Examples in the Classroom
I have found that using real-life examples is an integral part of a class discussion or lecture. I not only provide my own real-life examples to help facilitate the learning, but I encourage students to add to the lecture or discussion by providing their own real-life examples, especially if they are work-related in the field we are studying. For example, one of the classes I teach is Medical Law & Ethics. I ofhten have students who have experience in the healthcare field. I encourage these students to discuss examples they have encountered at work that relate to the topic we are discussing that day in class. In doing this, it not only provides relevance to the lecture/discussion, but it also provides some insight to the other students who have no healthcare experience of what will be in their future as they enter the healthcare field.
When attempting to relate the course material to your class, it's imperative to introduce examples of every nature. Whether it's tangible to be passed around, or practicule background expierence. By using these educational devices the subject matter gains relevance and has value to your students.
Yes, using examples seem to help my students. They share many of their own examples and other students can relate.
Because of my long career in medicine I have had the opportunity to experience many situations from the mundane to the far extreme. I share experiences with the class to show that even the smallest intervention in a controlled situation can influence their approach when or if the situation deteriorates they will feel more in control of their reactions.
I too have found that real life examples work well to nail down a point being taught. I also have students give examples from their clinical experiences because this is something that they can all relate to. Also, when I give an example of something that I have experienced in "the field" the students then are on the lookout for these same type situations
The use of examples in lecture have proven to be a valuable resource for me in the sense I am teaching a general education subject to students who are required to take the course. The examples allow me to pull them in faster and with more vest.
