Tony,
That sounds like a good idea. Can you tell me what types of resources your students have asked for? Also, what happens if you are unable to supply such a resource after they have requested it? I am imagining a worst case scenario where a student gets frustrated and thinks you weren't really interested in the student's situation after all.
Because I work in an online environment it is important for me to supplement the preloaded curriculum with items that speak to the other learning styles that my not be present. If I see that the material is not resonating with a particular student, I will will often call them to inquire as to what additional resources they may need.
I incorporate all learning preferences in the classroom. I have been aware of this for some time and have always made sure that I am capturing every student for at least a part of the class. Though I agree that kinesthetic can be difficult - I do move them around sometimes and give them break. I do find that moving students around has a bigger effect than one would think.
In an online learning environment it is essential to offer course materials in multiple ways so all learning style preferences may be included. This is a challenge involving the kinesthetic style preference as the content is mostly visual and auditory. By having students complete projects outside of the class that involve doing something other than reading, writing, or speaking will meet the learning preference needs of learners with the kinesthetic preference.
Understanding the multiple intelligencies of your students will more easily enable clear communication of the knowledge and skills required to have mastery of the subject at hand. In other words..."play to your audience."
I believe learning styles develop through time and can be connected to the age groups present in classrooms.
James, your comments are right on target with my thoughts, especially the idea of feeling "safe." As teachers of career adults, we know how uncomfortable they may feel within the "traditional" classroom setting. I can identify with an experience of my own when the teacher only knew(?)/used one method and I didn't get it; I felt so embarrassed and frustrated that I walked out. It was just a crafts class, but still. The "teacher" stood up in front of the group and spoke aloud the step by step directions we were to follow. We all had the materials in our hands but as a visual learner, I couldn't process the auditory information. When a few of us asked for help, her "solution" to our problem was to repeat her directions more slowly in a much louder voice. The only positive thing I got out of that experience was a good example of terrible teaching.
I think that many teachers do not focus on the character development of each student. This weighs heavily in the workplace and since we are preparing our students for the workplace, we as instructors, should focus more on the "soft/career skills". I for one will make sure I pay attention to this throughout the duration of the class (being on time, having a good attitude etc.). I tend to do this in the beginning but tend to slack off towards the end of the term.
I agree wholeheartedly with you, Patricia. It is vital that instructors be aware of cultural opulence and language variations and this is where we must sometimes magnify our awareness of observations in the classroom. We need to be on the lookout for innocent errors we may make in these areas.
Another great module!
Understanding the effect of multiple intelligences will allow for better communication with students. When communication is clearer, students learn better. I use movies, songss (both with proper authorizations), and real life experiences to get through to the students.
As important as the different learning styles are to our students, thankfully we are also starting to recognize and identify the multiple intelligences, so educators can respond to the various needs of each. A good understanding of intelligence and learning style will enhance the transfer of information.
As a culinary instructor I find it quite natural with my previous experience to deliver information in a number of ways in order to convey my message.
In many instances in the past I have found my self in front of persons with a limited understanding of what I need them to do.
Through many sessions of trial and error I have been able to effectively train and educate students and employees including people with language and learning disabilities.
It is only now that I understand how I have been able to do it and what these different intelligences are called.
Many times through out history we learn how to do something and only later find out the science behind it, simply a matter of developing knowledge through the process of survival.
Now that I have been informed to what these intelligences are I will hopefully be able to further refine multiple teaching techniques that would lend themselves better to student needs.
Thank You,
Understanding the concept of multiple intellingences will help me to be more complete when trying to deliver concepts of engine assembley. It has been my understanding that most of my students best understood by the act of doing, now i will try to be more complete by teaching to to the other intelligences in other ways.
Hi Gwo-Fang,
Good point about how we need to offer variety to our students if we are going to maximize their learning opportunities.
Gary
Hi Elizabeth,
Great to hear about your success with the intelligences. As you know we all internalize information in different ways and by knowing the different categories we can target our instructional delivery more accurately.
Gary
Thank you for the information. I will definitely get a copy of that book and read it.
Margaret Bennett
There was once, one of my student come to me and told me that she had hard time to learn from PowerPoint classes.
I though PowerPoints are very efficient. It includes Auditory, Written, and Visual.
After this class, I realise that "Kinesthetic" was missing. It might be the reason that one student has hard time to learn.
Including an in class exercise might help.
A copy of Howard Gardner's book Multiple Intelligences is at my desk a must read for all; accessible concepts and helps to raise one's awareness. I teach four hour design studio sessions and break up activities too involve different modalities of learning in the classroom.
My lesson plans will include a variety of techniques that will reach all levels of learning and different types of multiple intelligences. Student observation will be an important aspect for success of the prepared lesson plan.
I agree with James that many students care more about the letter grade than the importance of what they learned. I discuss with Medical Assistant students that may recieve a B grade instead of an A that is is not what you earned but what you learned. This student may not be a great test taker but understands the medical training concepts and will apply correct technique while still providing quality patient care.
