It would really help (especially a novice like me) in preparing a class. I liked that comment that was made about taking a bit of time at the first class to estabish what each student's style is. I have filed that nugget away for the time when I'm with my first full class, not just a fill-in substitute. It would make instruction prep fun, I would think. You can go out looking for fun and challenging ways to put a class together. I remember that I could tell which teachers had really prepped and thought out things and which seemed to be on remote control or "phoned in their classes." It was always more fun to be in the dynamic classes so I plan to put that knowledge to work for my instruction prep!! Mindy, RN
Flexibility on the instructors part can make a world of difference to the students and their varied learning styles.
it is important for students to feel comfortable around their peers in their class. it sounds like a good idea to do what you are doing. if you have a large class, maybe you can break it down into smaller groups. that way, instead of speaking to a group of 80, they only have to worry about a group of 10 or so.
By knowing the different learning styles of my students, I can deliver the material for my class in multiple ways so that multiple students can learn at the same time on the same subject matter.
Obviously, our goal in the classroom is to communicate the course content to our students successfully. Knowing the best methods that will reach our students is critical to our success.
Not only will I be a more effective communicator, I will also be more efficient, benefiting everyone.
Thanks for this post! I was going to do some Googleing to look for learning style assessment tests and was pleased to see these sites already listed in the forum.
I feel that classroom time is all about the student and knowing as much as possible in advance about the learining styles of students in each new class makes me a more effective teacher. It also serves to make the class more fun and useful for the student. It allows me to vary what I present and the way I present it in order to both surprise students and reach everyone in different ways to help all learning types get something from the class and feel they are an active part of it.
I provide my course content in multiple ways to address the four different learning styles. It's important, though, that students strengthen their abilities to learn in their nonpreferred learning styles.
Many of my students enjoy writing; they are adept at critical thinking, but have limited vocabularies. They are hesitant to speak in class because they are aware of this weakness. I am providing more opportunities for structured group discussions and presentations in class to encourage students to practice and improve their verbal communication skills.
Hi Leandro- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are correct, length of time out of formal schooling can indeed be another variable that we need to consider with our students. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
This is the base in which an instructor needs to know in order to plan or re-adjust the curriculum as well as the MOI. One point I would like to bring up is what type of difficulties has the student had in the past as well as when was the last time he or she attended formal schooling? These are some of the factors I have encountered in the past. In some cases a combination in learning styles has worked very effectively.
I have found that when I explain "why" I am teaching the way I do, I get more from the students. It's almost like it catches their attention from the get-go. While reaching every students need individually is great, I have also found that if one student learns it this way, maybe they can reach another student that way too. It's not about me...what can i do to help them succeed even if it's not "my" way?
if you know how your students like to learn, you can teach them in the proper way that helps them learn the most efficient way. and if students learn in different ways, combining those different ways of learning may also help students see new ways to learn. a student who learns in 2 or 3 ways will learn more than a student who learns only one way.
Hi Lawrence- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are right on - we all were taught with lecture - arghh for the
other learning styles!! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Lynn - Thanks for your post to the forum. i really like your approach to getting to know your students and their learning styles! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It can be a challenge to discover what is each student's learning style. Having a pre-test to find individual styles on the first day would be very helpful so instruction doesn't get stuck in a rut.
I think most teachers, instructors, and professors used lecture as the primary method of instruction when I was in school. This is important because at the college level instructors are hired for their content knowledge and not teacher training. Therefore, most instructors teach the way they observed which was lecture for auditory learning. Thus, it is important to make a conscious effort to vary one's styles.
I like to spend the first day with a new class discussing ways in which they best retain information. It takes some of the "pressure" of the beginning of school or a new course by having a relaxed environment while allowing the students to get to know each other as well as allowing me to get to know what the range of learning styles in the group includes. Learning the styles makes me able to have more successful students in the course. If I know I have a mix of visual and auditory learners then I can adjust. It doesn't mean I eliminate lecture but gives me a base on what I want or need to use to supplement lecture - videos with audio to help remember the course of blood flow through the heart, etc. By combining techniques I can ensure that all learn the material and improve retention of the information.
Having the knowledge of the learning styles of my students will help me be more effective in the classroom.
This knowledge will help me when I am creating the lesson plan so that I will knowingly include the various learning styles; kinetic, audio, and visual.
The obvious benefit is you can better teach your students by modifying your learning style to accommodate them. In turn, if they learn more effectively this makes you look better. I see this as a win-win situation.
Earnest J. Kendall,MSN, RN-BC
It's important to maintain a stimulating learning environment for all of the students in the class, however, knowing the individual needs can help you to find ways to make sure that the individual students "get it" in their own way. Some may need a better visual diagram, some may need to just hear it repeatedly. either way, to become the most successful I need to be balanced between the group as a whole and with the individuals within the group.
