If the learning styles of your students are known, you can tailor your instruction methodologies and content to target each of the type of learners you have in the class. You could also use learning style information to group your students, either by style or into groups with member representation from each style.
As you incorporate more senses you into your instruction, you increase the opportunities for learning for a higher percentage of your class. The closer you can get to 100% the more effective your instruction will be.
(1) To know the learning styles of your students enables you to construct and plan your course materials to meet not only the curriculum requirements; you will meet the student’s needs and coach them as they learn. This could be related to what John Dewey once stated: If you let your students touch, engage, and attempt challenging projects will instill desire to succeed, and their learning will be productive.
(2)Coordination of material and learning styles is an art. PBL (Project Based Learning) is an old art and has time and time again proven to be an effective tool in the class room. Taking this tool, blending it to the students style of learning, you will have a customized tool that will meet each students needs. I find this tooling to be easy. Taking this and positive attitude, the student follows the example set by the coach (instructor)
Knowing students learning styles, will allow instructors target their delivery in order to maximize retention.
If I know the learning styles of my students, I can adjust my presentation methods to accommodate the students' preferred styles and make it easier for the students to learn the material.
Knowing the learning styles of your students will help to prepare class, to get the best understanding from the students.
It is good to asst the students; in differnt ways,like using the blackboard drawings leaving imporant main factors, missing to complete the task..students do learn better hands on, most of the time,when using completion testing is very effective..
I saw that on the news to. I was glad because I have always been a doodler and have struggled for year to keep my notes free of doodles. I guess that I can accept that I am a tactile learner and can give up my anti-doodle struggle!
Hi Lois - I would be really interested to see the report on doodling you mentioned. Do you remember where you saw/heard it? Thanks!!
I have definitely had student who will try to tune out instruction that doesn't fit their style. What I find interesting about it is the ones that stand out as most resistant and vocal came from educational backgrounds. The definitely had their interpretation of how they thought the material should be presented.
That is similar to my classroom situation, I agree you have to know your students. I think this understanding also allows you to push them outside of their comfort range to learn and problem solve in new ways.
By using a multitude of diverse learning styles, one can be sure that the students are learning the material in the way that they can absorb and retain it best.
it can save time by focusing more directly on your students styles. If most of the students prefer the kinesthetic, hands on style, it would not pay to concentrate on showing videos or giving reading assignments.
From a company stand point. Places like MassMutual will allow thier people to play music with headphones while they work.
They are finding the people work faster and are more productive...
Although students may find that studying/learning to music is the ideal condition for them, if they have indeed learned the material they do not necessarily need the "music condition" to be able to demonstrate that have that knowledge.
As stated when they study...
But I do have a issue when they take lab tests...
The class room is small and noise is a big factor...
But over all students learn in many ways. To find what works for all is part of the job...
The problem with conditional learning is you need same or similar conditions for effective recollection.
Although they may be able to listen to music while learning I very much doubt they would be allowed to listen to same or similar music whilst taking any exams or tests.
I havent studied psychology for several years and I am not 'up to date' with latest memory findings, this may be an erroneous assumption?
PJ
Sometime asking questions to some students in class does not always work... I also like to perform one on ones... The student will answer questions and ask more questions when they feel they will not be judged.
We use on line test. These type of tests relly do not report how a student will do with hands on work...
To understand to improve my teaching style. and to relate the best way to, Idenify better ways to help them, gives me confidence..
some students have to study with music on. I have others that need no noise at all.
If a student is looking out a window does not mean they are not learning what you are teaching
It will help me incorporate different teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of the students in my class. In the news this week-end (2-28-09) a study finding was presented that students that doodle in class are actually are listening and learning.
What works for me in Orientation Classes asking questions which give me good feedback and it also helps the students that are to shy to ask questions.
