I agree! Throughout the lectures I pause and ask if everyone understands, any questions and take in the looks on their faces. Expressions are a tell all.
We are all wired differently. What works for you may not work for me. So it is important to deliver the material in different methods so as to ensure efficiency.
I have found that by offering my students access to materials other than just the textbook and lecture gives them a more complete visual and greater chance of comprehension of the subjects being covered.
It is very important to offer a variety of instructional methods to students because not all students learn the same. I have learned that students recieve information so differently and we as instructors needs to touch base on all instructional style to make sure that our students understand the concept of the material.
I feel that it is very important to offer a variety of instructional deliver methods in classes because everyone learns differently. If you choose to lecture day in and day out, never give handouts, some indivials may fail because they may have difficulty learning this way.
Because each students learns differently. It is also important in order to keep students engaged and interested. I lectures with participation from the students and I like to challenge their critical thinking skills with case presentations.
Keeps the interest of the students.
Everyone learns differently. It sure would be easier for instructors if everyone learned the same way. I would always teach in a way that I know they could comprehend. Unfortunately, there are many different learning styles. I try to change the way I teach often. Some days are just plain old lecture but some days I demonstrate ideas or use a power point. I also take advantage of any films I can use so they hear it and see it being demonstrated by someone other than me. I like to mix it up with games and group activites also.
Courtney,
Good point about the reasons why instructors need to offer variety in their instructional delivery. Learners seek and need variety in their learning opportunities. Variety lets them reset their brains at different times throughout the course and engage the learning process once again.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When instructors use only one method of delivery day in and day out, the lecture material can fall flat and seem monotonous. Changing the delivery methods not only keeps the students' interest but also keeps the instructor on his/her toes. A variety of instructional delivery can help a lecture seem more dynamic and keep the material interesting and fresh.
Courtney,
The brains of learners seek variety and change of pace. We need to incorporate both into our instructional planning if we are going to engage our students. The content retention rate is much higher when different activities and deliveries are used.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When instructors use only one method of delivery day in and day out, the lecture material can fall flat and seem monotonous. Changing the delivery methods not only keeps the students' interest but also keeps the instructor on his/her toes. A variety of instructional delivery can help a lecture seem more dynamic and keep the material interesting and fresh.
Carl,
Thank you for sharing your own life experiences in coping with and overcoming this learning challenge. Your determination to be successful has taken you very far in life resulting in you now being able to impact the lives of others through your teaching. I commend you for your effort and dedication to helping the next generation of professionals enter your field.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
By varying the method of delivery you are able to get an idea or concept across to all types of learners. I use lecture, powerpoints, and hands on instruction to keep the students interest in the subject. I also try to relate what they have learned into real life scenerios to tie what they have learned in class to something that is real.
Having dyslexia, I get the most out of hearing. As I tell most people I have worked with, "If I hear it, it's in there." The problem - "If I hear it wrong, it's in there."
Using my auditory skills has helped me be a musician. I cannot read music off the page, all those notes and deciphering where they are on the scale just doesn't work for me. However, hearing the notes and playing them back, not a problem.
The same is true with students. It might not be the Auditory learning they need, but each has adapted to use their learning style to be successful. The problem for the different learning types, the way you understand and can talk about a subject may be a different way I understand the subject. I don't think it's about language, it's about visualizing the concept in your mind and either accepting them or rejecting them. If you accept them, they become "concrete" to your thinking. But not accepting them doesn't mean they are totally dismissed. I think we want to understand the information, but we must break it down so "we" understand it in our own way. Not the same way other people understand it.
I have known all of the styles of learning, especially from learning I was dyslexic. When I was growing up and going to school, I was kept in from recess and after school for remedial reading. I felt I was being punished and didn't see it helping me, and really, it didn't help me. I learned things on my own, kind of self study. I was told by teachers and my parents I was lazy, and sometimes stupid, and I wasn't lazy, just trying to learn things from books was not something I could easily do. I was told in college, after a 6 hour test that I was dyslexic, that I could get extra time to take tests. I said, "No, there won't be extra time in life's classroom or in the Operating Room . . ."
So it's great we have learned to not just teach in one style only. We need to teach to the style which helps the students understand what we are telling/relating to them so they can process it and use it to be successful.
Carl Robinson
Jesse,
Good point and the reason we need to offer learning opportunities through different venues. The more variety the more engagement we will have.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
All students are not the same....they all have different styles of learning...some more visual, some prefer writing notes, other are listeners. I try to use all different approaches eg. powerpoint presentations, class demonstrations, case studies with group discussions, handouts etc. to make sure they understand the concepts.
It is important because not all students learn in the same way. Some methods will reach some students and leave others unfulfilled. We must reach all students in every way that we can.
Tracy,
Right you are. In addition, they will drift away during class and it will be tough to get their interest back.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rekha,
We need to do this if we are going to keep the focus and engagement of students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
