Visual learning aids
In looking at the topics of this module I am seeing more indepth means to retain information through the use of visual learning aids. In a technical school where hand and eye coordination is paramount the inclusion of learning scaffolding strengthens the retention of most of your students. Where I see the adult learning having difficulty in this process is in the recoding. They simply think they need to remember it all and most instructors think they should as well. This to me is the farthest from the truth, we need to remember how to remember key elements.
Not everyone learning by visual aids. Some of us need to do also. I think giving a presentation on the subject matter, than showing the student how to do it and then let the student do it themselves, reinforces the learning process.
Thomas,
Repetition is a valuable form of learning. This approach has the student in the material and process three times. As you say that after this many times the odds of them getting it are pretty high.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I really like this idea! If the student sees you do it, then does it himself, and finally shows someone else how it's done, there is a good chance they will remember it. Nothing sets it into your memory better than showing someone else how to do it.
i agree, majority students that i encounter are predominatly visual learners. firm believer of see one, do one, teach one.
We all learn best by seeing. Visual learning aids improved how we receive infromation. Students better comprehened instructors lecture by seeing or touch what is being teach.
Marilyn,
The more senses you can use and the more graphic you can be in your communication the greater the retention of content there will be. You are doing such through your drawings and illustrations. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do the same. I also use the whitebook in the class to draw or illistrate a procedure we will be performing in lab.
I tell my students they will spent the next few weeks learning how to learn, many elements apply to various learning stratigies, the student discovers what works for them, the strongest area they relize is recoding the correct information. old fasion listening skills.
Jeannette,
The more integration of the learning preferences one can bring into the classroom the better. This way the students can use a variety of cognitive processes to acquire the content while storing such learning in their working memories.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I can find this relating to the type of students I have. I find older students are very book based, where younger students are more hands on. I try to find a medium. When I am teaching skills, I first like to have to have the class have an understanding of why the skill is performed before jumping into skills.
We use visual aids to help the students retain some information and hands on in the classroom so they can perform the lab tasks.
DJ,
Good point and well made in your last sentence. Critical thinking and problem solving are two essential elements in career success no matter the field. We need to help our students to gain content that enables them to build on their knowledge and expertise. When we do this we are showing them how they can apply the relevant information in different settings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
