This has similar concept in marketing. We need to understand the target audience; in this case it could be adult learners. If we understand their background or profile, we can create a learning environment that better suite their needs. This will also give us a good understand of how they process new information and so we can build up from their past knowledge. We have to consider our student’s characteristics in our curriculum development and also how we teach or facilitate in the classroom.
Since we deliver online it is a little harder to do this. However we have each student post a bio about themselves. I try to communicate with them about something in the bio to learn a lot about them and where they are in life and learning. We sometimes make the first assignment an essay about something like what I want to be when i grow up to find out about the individual and their goals. We also use the chat room and the private chat to learn about students.
Thanks, Barbara! Very true and, I might add, observation is a key element to understanding learner needs, styles and challenges.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
If one understands the characteristics of the learner, it is possible to fine tune the material presented to meet that individual's learning needs.
I too really like the miners analogy. Thanks, Kenneth!
Jay Hollowell
ED102 Guest Facilitator
Hi Shirley, true, every student asks "What is it that I need to know or be able to do? Why do I need to know it? Now how do I apply it?" If we can address those three questions, I am confident that learning takes place.
Jay Hollowell
ED102 Guest Facilitator
Thanks, Shirley, you are right on point; I have always found that students of all ages each have something to bring to the table - using that, as opposed to discouinting it, while involving students in the active learning process, seems to work with students of varying learning styles and characteristics.
Jay
ED102
Guest Facilitator
Hi Shirley, thanks for you comments! I have even, to enhance students' control and influence over their learning, asked them about their expectations for a course or particular lesson/topic. I have found that usually students' expectations come close to matching the established learning objectives and, subsequently, they then have a higher level of buy-in/relevance.
Jay Hollowell
Guest Facilitator
ED102
I agree, also immediate and relevant feedback reinforces new learning and redirects them when they stray off course. Students need positive statements as well as specific suggestions for improvement.
Excellent concept, learning is enhanced when students have some control or influence over the direction and focus of learning. This self-guided learning captures interest and encourages participant responsibility in the process.
Adult students, old and young learners, need to feel accepted and respected; that their opinions and experiences are listened to, honored and valued. They need to feel that their experiences are significant and relevant to their work. I understand this subject.
Students need to receive information in a variety of ways. There is no one right method for teaching all adults. Learning is enhanced when it appeals to multiple senses and includes sight (visual), hearing (auditory) and kinesthetic (tactile) approaches.
Instruction should be planned in response to assessed needs. Students are motivated to learn by changes or needs in their personal or work situations. Relevant training should provide solutions to problems encountered in these situations. Students need to know the "why" of the instruction and how it makes sense in their everyday work world.
I liker your analogy of "miners". It is easy for us to ask a question of a student on how they are doing, we instinctively know they might not be doing well, and they tell us they are fine. This is when we need to dig a little further!
Each individual defines their needs and goals differently. As instructors, we are miners after a fashion. We need to dig out what motivates each individual. How convenient for use if everyone ressponded to the same efforts on our part the same way. As a practical matter, our courses may not allow sufficient time to find out all that we need to know about each student. This means we must draw on our experience and sometimes, gut feeling, and offer a variety of approaches to connect with students. It's a fine line sometimes between getting the content across and engaging students in ways outside the core curriculum so that they may eventually find what works for them in the course.
The understanding of the different characteristics of a student learner can positively enhance the academic experience for that student. It would also keep the student engaged and lessen the chances decreasing retention.
With my class I have learned through the years that if I break the ice with stories about myself in my chosen profession and as a students that it puts the students a little at ease. At a younger age going to school with no experience I needed to be coddled and had to learn structure. Many years later I went back to school as a non tradtional learner, and felt all the fears that my student feel now. Sometimes with the bigger class sizes it takes me a little longer to assess each student so that I can help them with their education. And I am sad to say that some do slip through the cracks.
If a student is older than me, I try to show him/her the respect that they are probably expecting, while controlling the relationship by also showing them I am the authority in the classroom. Younger students are a little different because even though you are older than they are, they like to cross the boundry from instructor to freind. I try to relate, personnaly, as much as possible to each student while establishing boundries early in the term. I should say that anything I can relate to the students with, I try to also relate it to the industry that I am educationg them in. Being able to relate to their personal experience can boost their confidence, as well.
Dr. Meers,
Am I undrstanding the subject? Does this comment apply well?
Hi Yingwei,
This helps you to provide more targeted instruction by having this knowledge. Well put.
Gary
Understanding students characteristics helps me teach them better because I can understand better what each students needs are. Understanding that students may have age difference, cultural diversity, disabilities, etc lets me understand ways that I can help them learn better.
