This is in reponse to Eric Munn's question about his school not making accommodations for people with learning disabilities. I believe that in the "real" world, learning disabilities are covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, as well as physical disabilities. (but you know, I am not sure about this!) In any case, I don't believe that we are "toughening" students up for the real world by not making accommodations for them. School is a situation where the playing field should be leveled so everyone can perform his best; even if it's not like that out in the real world, the student will have a better chance if he has been given every chance to succeed in school.
Hi Linda,
The constant feedback and bouncing off of ideas and information is essential in the learning process. This is why we have instructors instead of machines. You make a very good point about how your students like the lectures and feedback sessions. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Feedback from my students indicate that the lecture and the activities to demonstrate the material taught are the most effective. Students who miss those seem to have a lot more trouble in understandind and completing their assignments.
Hi Linda,
You make a number of very good points about how you approach your students and course. You are doing a number of things that I am sure contribute to effective and efficient instruction.
What do you think are some of the most effective instructional techniques that you use?
Gary
Understanding that students learn from different instructional techniques has always been the basis for forming my lesson plans. The material to be covered is given as a reading assignment prior to the leacture. I then break the material into shorter segments for lecture followed by a demonstration of the problems on the board. The help of the students is enlisted to decide what must be considered and what it affects and how it is affected in order to work the problem correctly. Only then are the students assigned similar problems to work on there own.
It is important to understand the backgrounds on the student in order to help them succeed. During the lab time, students are encouraged to ask questions and seek my help to learn how to spot the errors that they have made.
I try to keep the atmosphere quiet and relaxed so that the students are able to concentrate on the work they are doing. It is important to get to know each student so they they feel comfortable in asking questions. Because of bad experiences some students have brought into the classroom, it may take time for these students to feel comfortable with the me. When this happens, I try to enlist the help of students who have mastered the material to discuss the methods of operation with students who are having difficulty. This help both students to increase their knowledge.
Hi Shanel,
You hit upon a main point of teaching, the needs of students. By knowing their learning characteristics you are able to help them in a more effective and efficient way. Well said.
Gary
Although our instruction is already developed for us, it is important to understand the different learner characteristics. This is true because it will help us better deal with our students. It will enable us to not only show respect and understanding for their frustrations and challenges, but it will also enable us to adapt our communication with them in order to help them become more successful. For example, if you have a student that is disabled, learning about this student will assist you in making appropriate accommodations. We attempt to cover all bases by having instruction that is delievered in a variety of ways, such as visual and audio. This will address the different learning styles of our students.
You hit the nail on the head, Carol. The instructor must develop empathy for an individual student and do it quickly. Simple things like being on a first name basis, discovering and discussing their future plans, and setting aside any fears about the educational process are essential to developing a rapport with adult students. That basic connection may help them hang in there later in the course work when the going gets tough...in or outside the classroom.
Hi Dr. Stover,
You covered what I consider to be a major reason for enjoying teaching. The ability to be creative. Working within the required content but having the opportunity to deliver instruction in your own way is fun. You are given the freedom to select activities and deliveries that will engage your students in the learning process.
Well stated! Good luck with your instruction.
Gary
The objectives for our programs are uniform and not open to arbitrary change, as these are what were submitted and approved by our state and accrediting agencies. However, the way in which the objectives are taught and achieved is left to the instructor to include in their lesson plans. In this way, the instructor can set and/or adjust the pace of the materials to include all learning styles. From orientation to the first day of class, instructors attempt to gain a knowledge of their students' learning styles through questions and group interactions.
Hi Taxpulat,
You make a number of very good points. To create rapport and respect with your students you need to understand them. It sounds like you have a very clear picture of the students that you are teaching.
Gary
Understanding learner characteristics plays an
important role in the instructional process. Knowing the background of the students, such as their ages and culture, can help one create a favorable classroom environment, where students learn from each other. For instance, younger learners sometimes need additional motivation to keep their attention focused. Although they may not have as much life experience, younger learners offer unique perspective to the learning
environment.
Cultural diversity in the classroom can encourage
learners to share their knowledge and experiences with the group to promote understanding and tolerance. And understanding and embracing this diversity can help one motivate each learner in different ways. For example, I was a teacher in Japan. Japanese students do not ask lots of questions in the class, compared to students from other cultures, yet they still can do very well. Without understanding this cultural difference, one might draw wrong conclusion about a student's performance in the classroom.
Understanding learner characteristics help me easy to teach student one by one.
Hi Michael,
Good approach and good way to gain insight into where your students are coming from. I use the index card as well. A side note I have found in using a 3x5 card is that my students like the small card because that way they don't have to write much. They are all a bit worried at the beginning of the class about their abilities, what I want from them, etc. The cards let them share a little bit of something they know for sure, themselves.
Gary
I ask them on the first day to write on an index card why they enrolled in school. This helps me get an insite to their motivation and priorities.
Hi Michael,
What methods do you use to give you an understanding of the characteristics of your students?
Gary
Once you understand the characteristics of your students you then can determine the best instructional/delivery methods to use so as to match their learning styles.
Hi Nancy,
Good idea. I have found that talking with fellow instructors always helps me gained additional insight into my students and their learning needs.
Gary
With in our open classroom there are three instructors. Each of us work with all students and by sharing the information we all know how to handle any issues with training if one of us needs to be out. it also shows the student that we all take an active part in their sucess.
Hi Nancy,
All the activities that you are participating in help give you a picture of the students you are instruction.
How do you use the information you receive in the daily briefings to help you meet the needs of your students more effectively?
Gary
