I find that showing examples of the upcoming projects (ie, wedding cakes) really motivates the students and gets the creative juices flowing. They are always very excited to see what they will get to make, and it shows in their work.
Hi Skip,
I certainly understand the points you have made as it applies to this field of study. You do not want to do anything to decrease the student's creativity. It sounds like how you are handling things are working just fine...continue to do as such.
Patricia
Hi Lou,
I really like how you have made this academic grade scale applicable to a work performance scale. This is a super analogy, and students will easily understand the point made here.
Patricia
Hi Dennis,
Yes, seeing is believing! Students appreciate being shown an example. It gives them the motivation that they can do it.
Patricia
Hello,
I think it's an excellent idea to show examples of student work or instructor made examples showing what constitutes a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. I like to keep in mind that this an evaluation of their work and we all like to know how we stand when it comes to an evaluation of any type. Also, this helps students begin thinking of a grade as an evaluation similar to the ones they will have as an employee. We all like to have clear cut expectations and how we will be evaluated on our performance. We like to know and should be told what constitutes superior, above standard, standard, and below standard performance.
Real examples,when offered early in the course, help students to "buy into" the curriculum by setting expectations and clarifying requirements. Seeing is believing, right?
Couple of reasons... (1) it's going to give them a clear representation of course requirements - - this could be done in both a positive and negative example sense so that while you're relating a representative requirement you're also discussing quality/performance standards; and, (2) it helps the students connect the class work w/ "work work" so to speak, in other words helping them value their course work more by linking it to value added in their professional work life - - this may be a little more difficult than just reviewing a paper submitted the previous semester, it might entail some creativity on the part of the instructor to show how the paper is clearly relateable to various types of written communications in the professional world, as an example.
Hi Justice,
Students need to be able to envision success. Envisioning success is what keeps the student coming back every day until he/she eventually graduates.
Patricia
This a very good example of a student beginning with the end mind. They see apositive or negative outcome, but dont live up tp their full potential.
teaching in a creative environment (the graphic arts) presents its own unique challenges... using examples and providing a road map is clearly important but within the graphic arts we are looking for the students to develop their own original ideas...
we walk a fine line between guiding them with examples but not providing an absolute outcome so they may express themselves in a uniquely creative way... Unlike nursing (for example) the correct and absolute process is important but in the graphics art we are guiding the students to express themselves as creative problem solvers...
It is more about the creative problem solving skills than an "absolute answer"... the critical lesson in teaching a student of the graphic arts is to work within the "project criteria"... as a professional designer every project has a set of define criteria (client needs) but ultimately the final creative outcome is determined by the designer (and approved by the client)
By providing too many examples we run the risk that the the student will follow and not lead...
Hi Sara,
I understand your point. You must emphasize to the students that it is only a guide, and they must use their own creativity, and that no example is to look exactly as the shown example, otherwise.....
Patricia
I agree with Martha though. I think students end up with cookie cutter work.
Hi Jason,
A well informed student is also a happy and motivated student. We should keep our students in the know.
Patricia
Hi James,
No one likes being blind sided. Whenever you know what's going on and what's expected of you, you tend to want to do and are excited about doing it.
Patricia
To prepare them to what's to come, by giving examples and demenstrations. So they not blind sided and have a general understanding of what's expected of them.
It keeps them current with the curriculum. A well informed student is a successful student.
Hi Gregory,
Visualization is an exciting thing for most students. Students tend to gain a better understanding by seeing.
Patricia
Hi Peggy,
I think it is a super motivator as well. I have never had a student to tell me they were intimidated by being shown an example. I have had numerous to thank me for sharing examples. I've been in the profession for over 21 years.
Patricia
Hi Joseph,
Simply said! To get an idea is a big help when it comes to assignments/projects. Students appreciate being shown an example.
Patricia
Hi Tracy,
You're right! Some students really do need extra guidance. Things become a lot easier for the students whenever they can see an example. Most learners are visual learners.
Patricia
