you will need to be prepared before class with multiple methods of reaching your students with the information they will learn. Having hand outs to read, training aids to pass around so that they can look at components in their hands, using the power point, and of couse instructor lecture with feedback from students.Finally you can get them in lab to perform the hands on training untill they can master the tasks with confidance
i try to cover all three with lecturing in class have them reading there book every day and lab with hands on
I use field experience, lecture, hands on (tactile), live demos, drawings, power point and discussion to accomplish the lesson. Each of these can be melded together to provide an exciting learning enviornment for the student.
each class is diferent.each student is diferent.if you ask a question,leave that question open for more than 1 student to answer.you will get more input which will give the instuctor more info to work with in developing teaching methods and ways to address the new class of students.you must be flexable in your teaching methods.what works for some,does not work for others
The first thing I do is look at the objectives of the course. This way I know what needs to be covered. Then I will see how many different ways to teach it so that I can cover as many of the learning styles as possiable.
I look at my class and see what they need are they hands on or do they need some direction.some of them do great with bugs in a truck and some get lost by doing this so i give them a step by step like a trouble tree. i have both of these at the ready and can pull eather one out if needed
In our course,much of the ground work is done through the web -based program,which involves all of the different styles,from reading to pictures,to auditory,as well as tactile(simulated,at least)to complete different scenarios.Once we get to 'lecture',it is essentially a review and discussion involving anything from handouts to fill in,pictures,movie clips and power points.Lab involves the hands on tactile competencies,as well as the real life 'solve the problem' that boosts the students confidence and ties everything together.
Pete
You can apply all the different learning styles into one. You read books and use powerpoint with pictures as you lecture,and while you are using all of these tool the student may also be doing a hands-on lab at the same time. This way you cover the different styles all at once. You can involve all the student. Student involvement keeps the students awake.
All students are required to complete technical training on the web which appeals to the self learners who prefer the written word for gaining knowledge. I also sometimes direct these students to the technical material in the service publications to reasearch their own answers to their questions and then have them report back to me with their findings. My class is in lab much of the day almost everyday which works well for the tactile learning style. Because lab involves manipulative skills most students do well in lab. Diagrams and illustrations on the white board before lab helps the visual learner. I am always rotating from group to group during lab giving verbal help and explainations which especially helps the auditory learners.
I find that during the first day of class you allow the students to interact with you during the overview and introduction. This is helpful in finding the prominent learning style and then tailor you delivery style accordingly. This does not mean leave the rest of the class out just that you will spend more time one-on-one with them not the majority.
This is not for every one but it has worked for me.
I review the course material, text and referance to identify the areas of compentcey. From there I develope tasks that require group discusion, hands on and researching text and referance material. By doing this I find that each type of learner has the opertunity to shine and meet their personal goals for the course.
This continues to evolve with experience. Prior to that day or course, I find myself thinking of ways to explain topics and try to relate it to some life experience the student may have experienced. The more you can tie a subject matter to a real life experience, (or at least a possible experience) the more likely the student will tend to retain and understand the information. I find that if my timing is on track, it allows me to more effectively get my relative points across. The students that prefer to read will go back to things they previouosly researched to put more of the pieces in place. The students that need to hear will begin making comments that indicate they are starting to understand. The ones that need to visualize will more clearly understand the diagrams, and the hands on type students will have a better understanding prior to doing the task.
I like to mix my teaching style with the students learning styles. I vary my teaching methods according to the styles and needs of my students. I like to use demonstrations and as much interactive learnings with the students, I have better learning results that way. However the demonstrations vary in approach. I start out with either a powerpoint presentation or going over the objectives on the board, I really like using drawings and a lot of color. While the demonstration is going on I interact with the students asking questions, tring to envolve the class in such a way that they are teaching as well as I am. I try to keep the demo/lecture short and break it up into several mini demonstrations, the lab area is a great place to envolve the students in this style of learning, easier to do in small groups while the rest of the class is envolved with a different method of learning This seems to be the best method to reach all my students' learning styles.
Hi Jeff,
Good list of items to follow as you get set up as an instructor. Thanks for sharing it.
Gary
1. Have some examples of what relates to the area being covered for discusion.
2. Plan questions to involve studants or engage studants in colaborative discusions.
3. have labs for hands on work.
4. Make good use of the white board.
5. Work with Ideas that have worked in the past.
I like to use demonstrations in class where possible. I also pass around training aids so students can see what part we may be discussing. The lecture is also involved along with the power point. I try to always explain what is written on the power point, not just read off of it.
I always let students get involved i class lectures. they always have something to add OR want clearified. this gives some idea how to teach a given class
On the first day of the course I try to evaluate the students as to the learning styles and adjust the lectures to the students. Try not to bore or frustate anyone. I try to keep the classroon in a manner that does allow the student to hide or not feel involved. Keep asking questions of different students so all stay attentive to the lectures.
Quite often, I will have a student ask to stay after class to have me explain something they don't understand. At that point I will try a couple of different methods to try to help them understand the problem concept. When we are done, I ask that student what seemed to help him understand the best. Then I will use that method with the class. This gives me not only different ways to teach an idea, but also gives me individual feedback on those methods.
Hi Brian! Thanks for your comments! It looks like the training aid helps to reach the visual learners as the lecture helps with the auditory students. I have found that when one student asks a question, the same question was on the mind of several others, so I always repeat the question for the class, thank the student who asked it and then answer often giving an example. Do you also blend your presentations with instructor and student demonstrations?
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
