Helps with student recall of relative info at test time.
Similiar to what we have learned, students enjoy a good story teller. The best teacher, I think, is a teacher that can connect with what he or she is teaching. Students like analogies. Students need to visualize a material. I like to add props and continue with Visual story telling as a tool that we must use to be effective teachers.
Using memorable examples and real life stories is a way to get students to not only remember the content but also helps them build relevance as to why the information is important for their field.
By giving the student an example they can relate to it becomes an experience they will either likely see in their industry OR have already seen through prior practice of their chosen career (which I've on occasion found began as a hobby interest of some sort).
Memorable examples help students to relate what they are learning to something they have experienced. When students draw from their experiences they have an "aha" moment and concepts, theories, and ideas start to settle in their mind. There is a connection between what is being learned and what happened to them. I find it intriguing when students have those moments because now they have an understanding as to why those experiences happened the way they did.
I also like to use picture case studies to help with memory. If I'm instructing on bacterial pathogens, I will seldom place a picture of a serious bacterial infection at the beginning of the lecture for them to understand the impact of the bacteria. I will continue with the lecture then introduce more pictures throughout the lecture. Most students will remember the bacteria with the infection.
Alana,
these are both great techniques. The pictures really are a great way for the students to connect abstract concepts with concrete examples; combined with stories this is very powerful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Sometimes when lecturing it doesn't make sense until they can put an example to it. Sometimes the more memorable it is, the easier it is to remember.
Memorable examples helps the student retain the information given to them. It also helps them to relate to the example and therefore, retention is increased.
It will help them remember the key point for the quiz or exam if there is a memorable example attached to it.
Kimberly,
yes, I like to view these as the pegs on which they can hang the more abstract concepts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Using memorable examples within the classroom enables students to see relevence in the material the instructor is teaching. These examples can be a benchmark for what students should and should not do in the field. In addition, using memorable examples is another way for students to see that the instructor really cares about them.
The best seem to be human interest examples and the really good ones are often from guest speakers.
Walt,
this is so true, especially the aspect of helping the students to see the relevance in the material.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Joseph,
guest speakers are a great resource to help the students see how these ideas really do apply in "real life."
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think these examples are valuable in that it "real life" memorable examples can tie to the content being covered so to help the student retain the information
I still work in the field that I teach, so I try to use real life situations to tie the lecture in with practical life. That seems to make understanding easier to comprehend.
Rose,
the stories do help with recall & retention of more abstract concepts.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Justian,
it sure does make it easier & also helps the students to get excited about their own future careers.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Using a memorable example can also show the experience level of the instructor especially when the emphasized teaching point(s) remain relevant throughtout multiple dynamic environments, ie., relevancy of truth versus liar propoganda in a war/combat environment.
I agree. Practical examples are good to learn from and relate to gain knowledge
