Typically, I show only good examples. I keep student's work from previous classes, who I believed mastered the objectives of the assignment. I write comments about what I thought the students did well and how the paper could have been improved, if any at all. This gives students a guide to follow.
Would you, then, show good and bad examples?
Frequently, student's anxieties are on the expectation level. These expectations are often based on previous school experiences, sometimes decades past. Showing work that is required for the course can bring the feared into reality, and usually the reality is not as scary as the feared. Also, seeing work that other students have done creates a frame-of-reference, which helps releive the first-class anxieties. Anytime a goal can be imagined, the mind is set in motion to move toward that goal, thus another reason for showing examples of expected performance.
It is helpful as a guide for students to follow. It also saves the instuctor from having to correct and ask for resubmissions of incorrectly completed work.
Doing this provides the students with tangible information, as opposed to merely just the idea of what may come. This might allow students the take liberties with their own ideas and insight into what is to come.
I feel this is important to create a comfortable learning environment, free of surprises.
Hi Patricia,
Examples are great, when used and assumed to illustrate a certain principle, standard or method for understanding to become successful in the area being explained or taught.
Hi Sharon,
I concur! Great clarity is added whenever examples are shown. Students tend to be more motivated to do the assignment whenever examples are shared.
Patricia
Hi Sherri,
Students expect to get requirements on Day 1. Requirements are a must so that the entire class flows.
Patricia
Hey Lynn,
I absolutely agree!! There is nothing worse than not knowing what's expected of you when starting a new course. The "meat" of the subject matter is an essential part of student motivation for a class!
Sherri Rimel
Hello Lynn,
I totally agree with you and believe they are much less anxious as well. there is nothing worse than not knowing what is expected of you; especially when tackling a new course.
I believe it sets a better expectation of the course for the student. If they know what to expect, they are less anxious and more open to actually learning once you get into the "meat" of the subject matter.
Hi Marie,
I like how you point out the good and bad of showing students examples. Students have no one to blame if they do not do well because they see exactly what is expected of them to excel with the assignment.
Patricia
I think those are great examples of why we show students examples of work!! Thanks for the examples, I can utilize those ideas as well.
Sherri Rimel
I think showing students examples of work they will be doing solidifies what is expected of them. Giving an example of a research paper, thesis, activity reduces the student's anxiety of wondering if "I am on the right page with this."
In my classroom, I have given examples of past writing assignments that they will be doing in my class, and also shown the students some of the activities, i.e. Bingo, Monopoly, Jeopardy, that we will be playing in class.
This also pulls the student into the learning experience.
Hi Patricia,
I had answered already, but I will answer again. I think that it is extremely helpful, because they will know what to expect and it will fet then excited and motivated for the upcoming course. It will also help to engage them in thoughts and ideas to bring to the class with them.
SO they will have a general idea of what is expected of them, and it will give them something to look forward to. I feel it will also act as a way to inspire and engage them to be interested in upcoming sessions of the clas.
By showing examples of student work, it will give them strength to accept praise and criticism. Showing them what will be expected and how they have or have not done what is required, and how to take that and turn it into a positive. Is an experience they will be able to carry with them through out thier careers.
What I have found in the class is give a hands on demostration then they will see what the outcome of a certain lab will be. There should be no second guessing at that point of the lab.
It will show them what you expect from them you in this course. Also it will give them a better understanding on how this training will apply when they get a job.
