Jean,
I think this is a great way to use real life application, especially for those students who may not see the connection in the subject matter to their major.
Dr. Ryan Meers
As a writing and literature teacher I find examples to be immensely valuable as teaching tools. Providing images and sample pieces of writing can help students make important connections about he process of communication. For example, I will provide a weak paragraph next to a strong paragraph and ask students which is better--and why. This way, instead of making abstractions about effective writing, I can SHOW students examples of effective writing.
Memorable examples gives a vision for the student.
If we can give them something to see like a story it will remain in there thought process.
Memorable examples help students identify of how this information relates to them. For example in an Art History class ... I have students research within topic on how they relate to the information. Construction management students like to research architecture. Criminal Justice students research photo journalism. Presenting information about a specific era in time and have students respond in relationship to their interests creates memorable examples. What do you think?
Jean
I like to use mnemonic devices and structural cues with my students to help them retain complex concepts...
for instance, when developing a screenplay, there are a GREAT many story plotpoints that must be hit, but five take primacy...in screenwriting classes, I like to talk with students about the "five-finger test," assign a plotpoint to each "finger," then encourage them to use this device to test out their own story concepts...
this "test" empowers students to test their own ideas - by framing it as "the five-finger test," I have found students more likely to retain the key concepts...
By Eddy Mojena
Using personal experiences in the material that they can relate to can help them also remember the material.
Memorable examples are important in the learning environment not only because they (might) provide the students with something to which they can relate, but memorable examples are usually fun and exciting ways to learn and retain content. If someone helped me to remember something by way of a knight and sword and shining armor, I might not be able to really "relate" to the experience, but I would surely remember the example -- because it would be fun, and different, and exciting.
Kelly,
Yes the real life stories are powerful.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Giving examples is a great way to help your students relate the information you give them to everyday life. It often opens up the class for group disscussions, keeps things moving forward, and sometimes you might even get them to laugh.
Examples are good to use because it gives the student real life situations to relate the reading material to. In giving students this example you do not have to let them know up front how you handled it, you can engage them by asking how they would handle it. Then let them know the ending to your example for comparison.
I think it helps certain points stick.
In my presentation to residents on ergonomic in dental practice, I use a varity of memorable examples of "freak happenings" leaving dentists handicapped and unable to practice. Trying not to alarm them, but I want to impress them with the consequences of poor posture and the mechanics of good ergonomics.
They can help a student associate the example to the lesson content and cement the knowledge in a positive manner. I always try to use one when discussing a point from my experience to help demonstrate how the knowledge can be applied out in the workforce. Mindy Smith
By human nature we are beings with a propensity to learn by recalling key visual examples or memories that were "filed" because of interest. These "tags" we use to recall such memorable items are often used to recall past interests and spark new learning.
By giving students real and memorable examples we can help illustrate a concept in a form that is both interesting and provides a point of reference (or relativity) to the concept in real terms. When we see how a concept can be applied to us personally, it becomes more memorable and a tool we can recall for further learning opportunities.
Memorable examples allow difficult concepts to be manageable and memorable. Examples based on the workplace and the application of a concept will stay with the student much longer than if the concept is explained with not example or association. Association with something the student already understands helps them understand a new concept.
A funny story or anecdote will stick in their minds better than the written word. It sets a "trigger" in their brain that allows for better recall. It does not always work but it is a tool that should be utilized.
I teach nursing, and the students have both theory and clinical hours of instruction. As we explore a topic, I challenge them to relate clinical experiences that reinforce the theoretical concepts. It seems to help make the information "real," and move it from the abstract to a lived experience for them. I see many "Aha!" moments in the classroom.
By using memorable experiences students can identify more with the instructor on a personal level which enhances the relationship between the instructor and students. Students learn more when they feel that they can connect with the instructor.
I often use memorable life experience examples when teaching students I find it "lightens up" the lecture material, students visualize and often add examples of their own, also if stories are humerous we enjoy a good laugh together.
Examples are key in the the comprehension process. Repetition utilizing various teaching tools allows student to critically think about a major topic. It is one thing to memorize, it is another to understand. Examples take an abstract concept and personalize it.
