Memorable examples help students understand the material by connecting it with their own experiences. In technology classes especially, I find that health students often wonder why computers are needed in their careers. I used real world examples and my own experiences to help them make the connection.
It's amazing how some students pick up on a quick analogy about something related to subject matter. When you try to move on they often times stop you and want to get back to what you said. This brings the entire class together as those who did not catch it the first time, are now interested to see what they missed.
James,
yes, these active discussions are a great way to reinforce ideas or to help other students lock onto the ideas for the first time.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I my opinion their most important purpose is to serve as a "minds eye" visual representation that will be remembered.
Agree. I teach math and since I both worked as an Aeronautical Engineer and served as a pilot in the Air Force I use examples to show how math impacts everything we do.
Hugh,
yes, this is a great statement & it can really provide a peg for remembering content.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have been teaching computer courses for over twenty years and I use the memorable examples each class. I tell stories to give the students ques to assist in remembering. If there is some humor in the story, it is that much easier for them to remember and relate to.
Using real life examples throughout the class makes what they are learning a little more real to them. They can relate to the instructor and it shows them you had to learn the ropes just like they are. It helps to create a team environment. Through team activities it will help them remember the concepts you have talked about.
As discussed, examples allow for more affective memorization. But beyond the physiology and psychology, I prefer using them because it personalizes things that are being discussed as well as showing real life correlation.
Whenever the opportunity arises in a lecture, I always share personal experiences with the students. By sharing relevent examples, students connect with the topic and content of the lecture.
It's valuable because it shows the students the quality of work that I am looking for. Also by showing them good examples it makes them push themselves more to do even better then what I showed. In my experience it helps to show students other students work, because it shows them that they can do just as good of quality of work.
A large number of students in the class I teach are visual learners. By giving them memorable visual examples, creating an illustration, and associating it with a fun rhyme or saying, I can make the concept appeal to a range of learning styles. I've found students tend to remember concepts associated with memorable real life example more easily.
I always like to provide personal experiences relating to the topic or a powerful example to drive a point home and to make sure that the students always have a real-life example to relate the content to.
I think the best kind of memorable examples for the subject I teach are practical/anecdotal examples. It helps students retain the information in an applicable way, and allows them to have a real-world based understanding of the concept.
I use memorable examples during class so that my students understand what happens in the dental office and so that they can take my experienes and learn from them. This also helps them to understand the material better.
I always try to use concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts, and concrete examples are similar to memorable examples. I have found that using concrete/memorable examples helps students not only to understand abstract concepts, but also helps them to retain the concepts and definitions they learn.
For me, being able to create an image of a concept has always been the best way for me to understand and remember concepts and ideas. Lately, I have been trying to give examples of concepts and ideas to my students through stories and visuals in an attempt to help them "see" the concept or idea and its application. It seems to me that these attempts have been fairly well received.
Most of us grew up listening to stories that helped us to relate to events going on in our lives. Using this technique in the classroom not only provides valuable examples for students but assists students in feeling comfortable in the classroom environment.
joyce,
so true. Think of the heritage of storytelling & how it has been used for thousands of years to transmit culture, beliefs, & values. Obviously there is power in stories.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have worked as a motorcycle technician in the past. I am now providing this type of instruction to my students. I often use personal experiences to enhance the objectives I am trying to get across to my students.
The personalization of a real world example definitely get my students engaged and interactive in the learning process and opens a lot of other discussions which also bring out key points.
