I show them examples of work for my Business class I teach. They ask me if they can take it home...but you know there would be problems with that :)
I like to show examples of student work not just the instructors as it shows that a student can accomplish the task correctly and it is not beyond their grasp. It boosts a students expectations that "Ican do this and shows it is possible and we are not asking them to do something that they are not capapble of doing as well.
It is important to show your students examples of the work they will be doing in the upcoming course to show them what is expected of them and get them excited about the projects ahead. I am a pastry instructor and when I teach advanced cake classes we bring out examples of all the cakes the students will be producing over the 6 week class. We discuss techniques they will learn and how they will use these out in the industry, to show value in what they are learning.
Hi Janet,
It is simply great to show students examples. It makes students feel more at ease.
Patricia
This is a great way for you to show the students of the quality of work you are expecting from them. It also helps the student understand what you are looking for
Hi Medhin,
Students really get excited whenever they see the finished product. The finished product gives them the thought that I can do that too!
Patricia
Hi Ginger,
There seems to be a lot less confusion whenever examples are shared with students. Students need and expect guidance.
Patricia
I agree that showing examples of completed assignments fosters more interest and desire to do a great job in completing their own assignments.
Instructors can set a higher comfort level for students when they know exactly what is expected of them.
For visual learners, examples of either properly completed student work and textbook examples is imperative for a good outcome of the assignment.
Good examples of student work serve as a reference, a guideline on what is expected of the project/task and how to do it. Incorporating them could also trigger intrensic motivation, bring a purpose to the topic and rationalize the course to their career path.
It is important to show examples of the work the students will be doing to help deter confusion based on assignment guidelines. The students will know what to expect and understand your expectations of them. Relating this to industry experience will help foster interest and show how the students will be able to apply the knowledge in their own work situation.
I agree showing examples of student work plays a great role in teaching/learning process. students can be encouraged after they see the success of the other students work. Moreover,showing examples of student work can motivate students to meet the desired goal.
Hi Marshall,
It gives students something to look forward to, and they also know exactly what is expected of them.
Patricia
I believe that a visual example of the properly formatted assignment (such as a business document in word processing class) and a poorly formatted assignment allows students to see the difference. What is acceptable and what is not acceptable is a definite requirement to emphasize.
Hi Tracy,
It motivates students to want to begin to work. Excitement generates from being shown an example.
Patricia
I think that if we begin to elucidate to the students that they can do things, they become more self confident. This confidence helps them build their belief in themselves. Once that belief is established, the student is apt to become more amenable to learning and absorption of new material can occur.
Students also get a good idea of what's expected and they begin a process of believing that they can achieve the requirements. They also begin to formulate their individuality in how they plan to accomplish their goals
To help them to understand that they can do the work, that it is something that is achievable by them and to help them to relax and relate the examples to their goals of being able to accomplish the required tasks.
My students are very much visual and tactile learners. If they can see the expected outcome or examples of outcomes they are more likely to visulaize themselves being successful at the task ahead of them.
I also like to show my students examples of other (previous) student's work. This can help the current student set aside fears that students with no experience will not be able to succeed. It also helps to shows them that they will be capable of meeting the criteria of the class.
