Week 21: Giving Examples

“There is no teaching to compare with example”

Sir Robert Baden Powell
(British General and founder of the modern scouting movement)

Examples make the learning process short and effective. Adults can follow the examples very easily. Trainer has to master the skill of giving apt examples.

Methodology

There are two methods of using examples.

1. Introduce the concept first and later give an example to bring clarity in the understanding of the concept.
2. Give an example first and then introduce the concept.

METHOD – 1

In this method concept is introduced first and then examples are given. Even though many experts consider this method as backward teaching, it has got its own advantages in training.

SUBJECT: Questioning skills – Open ended question.

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CONCEPT: What is an open-ended question?  

An open-ended question is one where the answer runs into several sentences. The person who gives the answer gets into an explanatory mode”.

EXAMPLE:    

1. Tell me something about your married life from the beginning?
2. Why and how did the business reach the current position?

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METHOD – 2 

In this method, a trainer just reads the title of the topic. Trainer does not explain the  concept in the beginning but begins with the example.

SUBJECT: Dispute

CONCEPT: What is a dispute? How does it arise?

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EXAMPLE:

Raju and John are neighbors.

Raj wants to enjoy his property peacefully.

It is not happening.

Raju does not want John to interfere with peaceful and enjoyment of his own property.

It is happening.

John is throwing all wastes in to Raju’s Compound. 

John is parking his car in front of Raju’s gate obstructing the passage.

There is a dispute between Raju and John.

Raju has filed a suit for permanent injunction against John.

CONCEPT:  Dispute is the result of violated expectations.

It arises when: What one wants is not happening 

It may also arise when:

What one does not want is happening.

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A Trainer has to clearly understand why a particular method of giving example is being used in a given situation. Whether a concept should be preceded by an example or followed by an example has to be thought well before hand by the trainer.

Preparation

1. IDENTIFICATION:
   1. Identify the concept to be introduced and understand it well.
   2. Identify the object of giving example in a given situation.
   3. Identify the example to be given.
   4. Keep at least 3-4 examples ready to explain any concept.
2. CHECK
   1. Trainer has to check whether the concept gets more concrete with the example that is being given.
   2. Trainer has to check whether there is any possibility that the trainees would misunderstand the concept because of the example.
3. CONSTRUCTING THE EXAMPLE:
   1.  Example should be short and sweet.
   2. Easily understandable.
   3. Should not have a greater number of characters.
   4. Each fact must be in a single sentence. Follow the principle of “one fact-one sentence”. (See the example of Raju and John given above)
   5. Example should not be confusing.
   6. Example should not require further explanation.

Common Mistakes

1. Giving example without even introducing the title of topic/sub topic.
2. Giving very lengthy example with unnecessary details, and making the trainees lose track of events.
3. Giving example which is in no way relevant to the topic under discussion.
4. Not doing summation as to how the concept is to be understood through the example.   
5. Not doing sufficient homework on the examples.
6. Picking up some example on the training floor and giving it to the trainees, without testing whether the same would be appropriate or not.
7. Copying the example given by a trainer in another training and using it, without understanding and internalizing the concept to be understood through the example.
8. Not working on the objective of the example.
9. Giving examples which would create more doubts
10. Giving examples where narration gains more concentration than the concept. (Trainees remember the example as a story but do not remember in what context the example was given)

Caution

Example given by the trainer should not be an example for INCORRECT EXAMPLE.

“A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.”

Danish Wisdom

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(All copyrights reserved by the author S. Susheela)