The method of delivery,sometimes depends on the topic and objective to be taught.
This is important because you want to keep the Visual, Auditory and Tactile learners involved in the lecture and demonstration. I find that this balance is easily expressed in the format of a Culinary class.
Again, I remember classes from all of my school days. I try to incorporate every learning modality known.... Including lots of humor and acting to keep the interest. So many of my students have been out of school for long periods of time and that it important information to bear in mind.
Hi Mark,
You make a good point about how students like class structure. Research has shown that the human brain likes variety but in doing so would prefer that variety be delivered in a structured predictable way. So there is a bit of a pull and tug going on in the minds of students. This is why they like routine and set in the same seats each time but want to have a change of pace in their learning.
Gary
Mixing styles is important. I also suggest a certain amount of predictability. This helps to reduce anxiety.
We can be predictable in two ways.
1. Provide the same basic time-flow structure for each session. For example lecture-example-discussion-lab-break-lecture-questions
2. Provide an agenda at the beginning of each session.
Everyone learns differently. Not only that, but by providing variety, the content never goes stale.
Students, and people generally, are all different and learn and react differently to all situations. We as instructors need to vary the style so that they can all take as much as possible from each class session.
Different students prefer different methods of learning. To ensure you are reaching your whole class it is a good idea to mix the delivery method.
I do my best to give students a chance to connect with the material in the way that works for their individual learning style. When I coach students on study skills I emphasize that relating to the material in multiple ways uses multiple parts of the brain, thereby increasing the likelihood of retaining the material and being able to access it at a later date. Using a variety of delivery methods offers the same benefit. Working with lecture, static visuals, video, dyads, small groups, games, case studies, demonstrations, and career related project work not only address various learning styles, but also gives students an opportunity to relate to material on various levels via the various modalities.
The other benefit is that it keeps the class fresh and interesting which supports student motivation and engagement with the material. There are infinite possibilities when we get creative.
As instructors, we often get caught presenting the way we were presented information or use the method with which we are most comnfortable. Students today have used technology in just about every aspect of their life...personal and educationally. They are also more diverse, thanks to the influx of peoples from around the globe.
For these reasons, we need to reach out and learn all we can about our students quickly to adjust and modify to help them learn both the academic content, but often their "new" cultural world.
Being sensitive and aware helps us to grow and remain current with the changes and pass that along to our students. Their work world will very different from ours.
Hi Sofia,
Way to go in striving for a balance as you present course content. By using the formula that you listed in your comments you will have touched on all of the common learning preferences of your students. I am sure you will have higher content retention as a result of your effort.
Gary
It is important to offer a variety of instructional delivery methods because learners have different learning styles. I try to offer all styles to increase my instructional delivery. I offer written objectives, give verbal information, show them diagrams of what we are learning and allow them to touch the equipment we are using. This makes the students more comfortable with what they are learning for the first time. I figure if they lost 60% of the knowledge during lecture and their attention is 15-18 and they only remember 25% of what they heard by presenting knowledge in many learning styles I increase the knowledge learned.
It's important to have several different delivery methods becuase there are different types of learners. Such as tackile and visual
If you do not accommodate the different learning styles of your students, some will be left behind. They will not retain the information to be successful in the rest of your course, the rest of the curriculum, and could adversely affect their career choice. One bad class can sour a student from selecting a career in which they would excel. It is an Instructor’s goal to facilitate each student to reach that student's maximum learn potential. If you do not use the delivery method required to reach your students, then you have not met your goal.
most students have a 15 minute attention span, so I use various methods - lecture, drawing, visualization, You-Tube, small groups, and various "hands-on" with individual students and groups of students participating - sometimes I have them come up to the board and sometimes I have them "draw it in the air" with hand gestures, or do an internet search and gather aroudn their computer - I even go sit in the back of the classroom and have a student come up and explain a concept or "teach" the class that particular topic - they love it - - I even put topics in a bag and have them reach in an "draw out" a topic - like a "grab bag" - they like that too. I also take them on field trips to printers, silk screeners, paper companies, etc. and ask them questions while we are there (and require them to ask a question too).
It is important to offer varied delivery methods to keep things fresh and create new perspectives on the material being presented.
I believe if you recognize the benefit of teaching on various levels it allows for a greater opportunity to reach a greater percentage
of the student body, thus creating greater learning opportunity for the student body and instructor alike. Open the door to creativity.
It's important to include a variety of instructional methods because students have different learning styles, because students' attention spans are only 15 to 18 minutes, and because students need the variety to stay engaged in the class. I teach 4-hour long classes, and it is always a challenge to keep students engaged.
It is important to prepare a variety of delivery methods to appeal to different learning styles of your students.
Even if the instructor is not experienced enough to change instructional styles during the middle of a course, they should try to prepare different methods of delivery of their material so the students will stay engaged and not become bored with the instructor or material. It is not easy for some instructors to vary how they actually instruct classes and some find styles that are much more effective for their individual personality.
For example, I am very effective at providing lectures that keep the students interested by providing several anecdotes to maintain the students’ attention. Whereas, I have a subordinate that is very effective providing lectures where he questions the students and applies their answers to continue the instruction.
It is important because not all students learn in the same way. If you provide a variety, then you are covering the bases with most of your audience. There are some instances where even with a mix of delivery methods you may still have to adjust your style to accomodate some individuals.
