Understanding a students learning characteristics is an art and to be really successful as an instructor you need to perfect that art. An icebreaker at the begining of the class rotation is a good way to start to understand your students and become better at reading you class. This has been a common practice at our campus and it seems to help a lot.
What type of learner they are and what are their goals. Each student is different but they still fall into groups of learning styles. If the majority of the class is hands on we are going to spent more time in that area while still covering all learning styles. This will also help with retention. We must never leave anyone out of the learning loop.
It provides me with the understanding I need to teach/facilitate the lesson plan/learning process from a number of different angles and perspectives so I can reach a broader spectrum of students. It also makes it easier to recognize when learning objectives have been realized and, especially in one on one situations, move the student forward and maintain the rythmn and momentum of their learning.
Hi Richard,
Having spent almost 25 years researching and developing an assessment of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences I am a big fan of understanding how people process information. You have done a good job of putting your classroom approach together to meet the needs of your students in this context. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Understanding the individual characteristics of each learner in the class helps to tailor the educational experience to each student in order to maximize they're education. My school on the first day of class requires the students to participate in a learning styles assessment. This makes my part much easier. I simply ask the first day of my class who is what learning style based on the assessment. I can then adapt certain aspects of my lesson to reach each of the learning styles. Do I need to lecture more or less, more visuals or more bodily-kinesthetic activities? Incorporating certain aspects of Gardener's theory has proven to be very effective in my classroom. In order to educate effectively one must be educated. That is to say you have to have an understanding not only of the material taught but of the culture of those being taught. Individual cultural variances can have a profound effect on the interpretation of the information being presented.
Hi Flavio,
By having your students contribute their own backgrounds to the classes' experiences you are helping to draw them into that class setting.
Plus, they will respect you more for having valued their previous experiences in light of the class. The see that you recognize their life prior to the class and that they have something to offer to the other students.
Gary
For one, checking any prior related background could allow for more pertinent interaction. I usually love for my students to give their input or share their experiences with others.
Thats 100% correct. Being excited about what you do or at least involved with the process is whats required for learning.
Some students going thru a technical school discover that wrenching on a motorcycle is not what they had invisioned and for these students there are other areas in the motorcycle industry which may be more suited to their liking.
If your going to school and paying good money to be their but your still not motivated or involved, it may be time to assess if that field is the right choice for you.
Theirs no dishonor in redirecting your efforts upon finding your passion is not there.
Without passion, learning ability is impaired.
It makes the student want to really learn the material. It gives them a reason to come to class, they are anxious to see what new information will be given next. If you stimulate the students mind they will remain focused. The problem many students have is that they are hearing the same material over again in someone elses voice. Making the learning fun as well as educational is what it is about. Make the students formulate, in their own mind, why and how this information will be important for them to learn(the whats in it for me mindset.)Give them feedback, scenarios and hands on examples while at the same time keeping it exciting for you and them. Many of the students have real life stories about how a certain procedure did not work for them. Brainstorm and if possible simulate the circumstances to see why it may not have been the right application for that procedure. Remember you need to engage them, excite them, involve them, challenge them, make them feel comfortable to share ideas and consistent feedback to let them know the process is working
I try to find out as much as ican the first day or second day to find how each student will learn the best. Then build on my first impressions. At least I have an early base line and a place to start.
I couldn't agree more. one on one always works well with my students
Phil.
Knowing characteristics helps you understand more of the students and helps you find a inside to communicate to them. It can be dificult to know the best ways to communicate with different people, but see if you can get on a one to one with most and see how the others participate.
I couldn't agree more Karl. Well said.
Once you learn or identify all the tpyes of learners in your class you we be able to deliver a more diverse lesson that will be sure to effect the whole class instead of just a few certain individuals.
So you can tailor the way you teach to each class or even each student you have so they can interact, retain, and use the information you give them.
Understanding lerner characteristics is important so that you can focus on teaching that student in the method that he will be able to relate and retain the information in the best possible way.
Some learn by reading, some by watching, some by doing and some a combination of all methods.
If you have a student who is more hands on but not particularly focused on hrs of powerpoint, you might want to limit the powerpoint presentaion somewhat and get that student into lab, if possible.
Remember that you have a whole classroom of different students with different needs and some may relate better to the powerpoint so if you limit the powerpoint you will affect their learning style.
It really is a juggling act at times trying to accomodate all of the different learning styles of your students. A competent instructor will be able to accomplish this task most of the time.
H Caleb,
Well said. If you know your students it is much easier to develop instructional plans that will meet their learning needs. You gave a good explanation of how that work.
Gary
Understanding learner characteristics is paramount to good instructional planning, because you need to know who you're teaching. You have to know your audience. There is such a dramatic difference between individuals, and to treat them all the same as learners is catastrophic, because you always end up excluding some, and because of learning apprehension, learners won't voice their feelings. You have to be active in understanding who they are, or you're not going to teach them.
It helps you to adapt your instruction to focus on their particular needs. As and instructor it is you who should be adapting, not the other way around. I've seen instrutors who who do not adapt and the students are often frustrated because they feel their needs aren't being met.
My delivery and examples are selected based on these characteristics so as to make it easier for them to grasp the material.Often the type and timihg of the presentation is tuned to these as well.
