I find that if you give them examples of the upcoming work they become excited about the course. It gives them something to look forward to and they try to "out do" the examples. I've given presentation projects that they have to use visual aids on and then I show them some examples of the visual aids that other students has used in the past and they try to make theirs better than the examples that I have shown. Also they seem to want to get ahead start on learning the materials so that they can be more prepared when we actually start discussing the content.
Hi Achla,
Students tend to do better when examples are shared. Great clarity is added from examples being shown.
Patricia Scales
By showing examples, a little anxiety is taken off from students' shoulders. Students have at least an idea of the type of work they will be doing during the semester. They feel more comfortable as unknown factors have been removed from their understanding.
Hi John,
It also adds great clarity for a better understanding as to what is expected of them.
Patricia Scales
Hi Doreen,
Students love it when they can see exactly what needs to be done. Some instructors show an example of each grade level, A, B, C, D, and F.
Patricia Scales
it helps them mentally prepare for the requirments of the course as well as lays out what they will learn.
I did that today, showed good and bad examples, worked well!
Hi Shirley,
Visuals certainly help students to buy in to the course. Students grasp the concept better when they can actually see what is going on.
Patricia Scales
It is helpful to show your students examples of the work they will be doing in the upcoming course to encourage them to buy in. For example, when going over the course syllabus for health insurance I ask question about sources documents used to create the CMS-1500 form. With a powerpoint presentation, I display a copy of the CMS-1500, then a copy of a superbill, then a copy of the patient information form. I then discuss the importance of each form and its use. At the end of my intro, light bulbs are going off in the heads of the students as I remind them to expect to see questions about this subject on the certification exam and for externship.
Hi Marketa,
Examples provide great clarity. Students tend to understand better when they have a visual.
Patricia Scales
Showing students examples lets them know what the expectations are and it can also improve the quality of work turned in because they have a better understanding of what you’re looking for in the assignment.
Showing examples of student work is important because it provides students with a clear template to follow. For example, I teach in institutions in which often APA format is a requirement for written work. By providing students with an example of an APA essay template is useful as students care replicate the format by having a visual guide.
Most of my knowledge I gained from on the job experience. I find my students respond better when they have real life experience they can compare.
To show them what is expected of them in the course and to keep them engaged
I love collecting samples and showing samples of past students work, so that my current students can see what can be accomplished in the time frame I am giving them. It gives them a measuring stick, of where I want them to go with the project, and the quality of work I am looking forward. I usually show the best examples I have and then challenge them with saying: "Can you do better?"
Hi Rtee,
Students really like knowing exactly what is expected of them. Examples really provide better clarity. Visual makes things easier to grasp.
Patricia Scales
Students like to see what is expected of them. When they see the expected level they can aim to supercede the quality. I like that aspect so each term I get higher quality of work. I also like to show before and after instruction work so they can get an idea of what they can achieve by following the various objective and utlizing critiques to their benefit.
Showing examples can help the students understand what is expected. I do enjoy laying out the guidines to an assignment but allowing student creativity. For example I had them label and draw a diagram of a heart, they needed to use color and had a few guideline but allowing them to use thier creativity resulted in some incredibly impressive results. Plus I think they had more fun with some flexabiliy.
Hi Glenn,
I concur! Students know exactly what is expected of them having been shown an example.
Patricia Scales
I show examples of previous students work to set the bar for what I would like to see. It really works to have an example to work against.
