I teach College Composition and Oral Communications, so showing both positive and negative examples of writing and speaking in a business/medical career situation drives home the point that "This stuff is for real, and you will use it."
Many times, students I teach come from a very non-professional background. They just don't realize how different that world is because they haven't been exposed to it. I have often seen students perk up and pay attention to another student giving a speech on a DVD or on-line. I have seen students appreciate a well-written letter or tear apart a poorly written one (we edited it for the whole class!).
Real-world examples do work.
I find showing students past work can help get ideas of what is expected. I believe the more visiually you can show a student, the more they can retain the information.
It is very helpful and beneficial if you show and explain to student examples of material for upcoming courses, because it lets say for "math" they actually understand and pick up different ways on figuring out the problem. Plus as learned in previous course most students are visual and hand-on learners so if they see something broken down with different examples it help them in the long run during the completion of the course.
Hi Christopher,
Perhaps you can come up with some stringent rules that will encourage attendance, such as a quiz on the PowerPoint presentation, and if they miss the quiz they will get a zero and quizzes are not allowed to be made up.
Patricia
Students like and need to know what is expected of them. Examples show students that it isn't as difficult as they think
Hi Francisco,
I am sure students are happier with their results after being able to see a model to go by so that they know exactly what to do to in order to get a superior grade.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
I've seen this mimicking as well, and from this mimicking I've made it plain that this is only a guide, and they MUST use their on creativity; that I am not to see a project identical to the one show,otherwise they will receive a zero. This tactic has worked well.
Patricia
Showing examples of the required work together with the criteria requirements of the work that is expected from students' will provide models of excellent output from students. This helps clarify the objectives of the work to be done and conditions the students performance level for the future.
I find showing examples is particularly useful for written assignments such as a research paper or essay. My assignment description usually involves an outline of what is required but only gives a general idea. When the students see an example, they can see the application of the assignment. The students usually perform better and I am less frustrated when it comes to grading time!
I could give multiple reasons why it IS helpful, though one difficulty I've had with it is some students simply copying the format or creativity of the student from the example. They don't necessarily apply the methodology as much as mimick a previous effort. Any tips?
Hi Lorraine,
It is great whenever every instructor enforces the same rules. Students really need and like consistency.
Patricia
I can understand and relate to your statement. I teach students that other instructors do and we are always checking with each other so that we are implementing the same rules. The students like when the instructors are all on the same page. It is less confusing for them.
I believe that showing examples of work the students will be partaking in will not only grab their attention but can energize their drive and determination to see what they a capable of achieving. I teach in a technical school and demonstrations are a common observance for these students. Through these demonstrations they are taught the correct approaches and procedures to successfully complete the tasks they assigned. I notice the eagerness they emit by watching my actions throughout the examples they are shown. They can’t wait to get their hands dirty… literally.
At the beginning of a new class we have mandatory Power Point presentations that have to be read to the class. I notice sometimes during the presentation, students will drone out and sometimes get up and use the rest room as an excuse to leave the classroom. This is an adult education institute so students are permitted to exit the room at will but have to inform the instructor of their absence which in turn causes a disturbance to class flow. This is valuable information they are missing out on. Any advice to maintain their attention?
Hi Jeffrey,
Some students are very creative, and I have seen them really expand on shown examples. They added their only little twist and did an exceptional job.
Patricia
Hi Grace,
I love the idea of showing A, B, and C work. The student knows exactly what it takes to get the grade they want.
Patricia
Candy, I know exactly what you mean. I took an online class recently with a professor who would only respond in two- or three-word phrases, and usually to refer cryptically to the syllabus or the original assignment guidelines. I understand the value of challenging students by having them work in a grey area of directions, but sometimes a simple question of clarification deserves a simple, direct answer.
Providing an example of at least the espected layout and structure of a complicated assignment, if not an example of an actual assignment will allow the students to focus on the assignment.
It seems it would no doubt give the sense of having peace of mind about what is to be expected of them. Hopefully in some of the more ambitious driven students it may impart a form of motivation to even exceed and improve upon some of the examples of the work shown. Continuous growth and progress is always good and maybe their work would be the ones chosen as examples to help lead off the next class of students.
Hi Lorraine,
Visual certainly clears up a lot of uncertainty! Great way to add clarification.
Patricia
It gives them an idea of what to expect.
It help student to relate what htey will be learning to will be expected of them in the work force.
