Hi Melissa- You put it very well- not only does teaching to the learning styles keep our students engaged, it also keeps us from doing the same thing over and over. Even if that is easier, it sure is boring! Best wishes- Susan
I think that one issue to overcome with learning styles is that many students don't know how they best learn & retain information. College-entrance testing that could determine the learning style of students would be beneficial to both the instructor & student! However until that day comes, trying to teach in all learning styles does create a "freshness" in your class and keeps the students interested and attentive.
Knowing the learning styles of your students is crucial to the style in which you teach and assess. Having a background in special education, I have found that understanding the needs of each individual student helped me to develop dynamic lesson plans that encompassed the needs of most of the students and easily allowed for modifications to meet the needs of all the students. If I had not understood the learning styles of my students, I would not have been able to do that effectively.
Hi Kelly - Thanks for sharing the info about the VARK Learning stlyes questionaire. I checked it out and like it a lot! Best wishes- Susan
VARK Learning Questionnaire is an excellent tool to identify learning style for the instructor as well as for student realization of their strengths.
Hi Steven - Thanks for your post to the forum. Games are great icebreakers and as you point out, if we are very observant we can glean some good ideas about the learning styles of our students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
If you know your students learning styles, you have more retention of the material and it engages the students properly. Incorporating all the learning styles into the lesson plan is valuable to the entire class.
you need to be able to communicate with your students and the only way to do this is to know their learning style
By knowing the learning styles of my students early on the beginning of course allows me to prepare ont he way that i am going to deliver the content of the course. With a wide range of students that range from, students right out of high school to the more common adults, I find that I am attempting to create an environment for all 20+ students to understand and take/absord the information. Typically I will conduct some sort of game the first day of class that has each of the four major learning styles incorporated. At the completion of this game, it gives me a better idea where to begin with my new students!
Having a learning disability myself I have always been cognicent of other learning styles, so I try to focus on that for all my students.
Hi Isabel - Thank for your post to the forum and for sharing a great web site! Susan
Hi Natasha- Thanks for your post to the forum. You stated it exactly - we need to use the delivery methods that will be "more efficent and understandable for the students". http://www.crmlearning.com/fish-video
Making an assessment of the students learning styles permits the instructor to be more effective in delivering information.
It is important to understand and be aware of the learning styles of your students. It is the job of the instructor to provide the students with the content information needed for success in their career choice. Understanding the students learning style assists the instructor in a more effective delivery method which is more efficient and understandable for the students, which will inturn promote success in students learning.
By understanding their individual styles it will incorporate a more rounded effect.
not sure but sounds great....
Hi James- Thanks for your post to the forum. As you mention, knowing the learning styles of your students in advance allows you to tailor your lessons to the needs of your students. Although it taked additional time upfront, it pays off in the end. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Knowing the learning styles of my students helps me prepare lessons in a way that I can incorporate all the learning styles of the class within the lesson. In addition knowing the learning styles of my students helps me prepare formal an informal evaluations suitable for each learning style.
yes this is true and that is what we instructors do strive for in the classroom setting is effectiveness.
It helps to prepare your lessonwith a balance learning system so therefore it is well important to know your students learning abilities.
