Hi Kevin,
Good plan. You hit on a key point about the need for the connection back to the text material so the students can see the tie between all the content that is being shared.
Gary
Hi Shui,
You are right on with your comments. Through the understanding of student characteristics we can have more target instruction occur plus the students will have a higher level of satisfaction with their instruction.
Gary
The majority of students in my classes are extremely creative and skilled. What I try to do is provide a basis for learning (the textbook) and augment it with active/visual items such as Internet searches and musical themes. These seem to capture their interest as long as the link back from the exercise to the text reading is there.
As a career college instructor it is important to
understand that our students have more diverse
backgrounds and life experiences. There is not only one leanring style but many different ones. By understanding their learning charateristics
structors can customize their teaching styles that
are the most effective.
Hi Karen,
Teaching in may ways is like being a detective. We instructors need to look for clues that will enable us to meet their learning needs. I find this a very enjoyable part of teaching because I get to be creative in my planning and delivery. I hope you are having the same experiences.
Gary
Hi Jon,
Having this information really helps instructors to "customize" their instruction based upon the needs of the currently enrolled students. Good comments.
Gary
In any classroom, whether it is kindergarten or college, there are a variety of abilities and learning styles. Sensitivity to individual needs is critical and as instructors we need to recognize and provide resources to address each different style. This is particularly critical because we often find students who learn through visual, hands-on or verbal methods as opposed to rote reading and memorization.
In order for you to effectively teach and communicate the course material you must be aware age, culture, disabilities if any and fears of both the traditional and non traditional learner.
Having a general knowledge of your students background will allow you to forsee and avoid
potential problems. It will make you aware of what to may need to modify or change based on need of students.
Hi Laura,
This is an excellent way of keeping your students engaged and your instruction strong. Through the "reading" of your students and then offering variety to the delivery you can make sure that you are getting the content across while helping them to make the needed applications.
Gary
For me as a Baking and Pastry instructor, I find that once I have had a complete understanding of these characterisitics, I might change how I do my Lecture/Demonstration for the day. Sometimes it may make more sense to completely separate the Lecture from the demo, other times to combine the two. There are some days that I know if I cover all of the material at just one time- the beginning of class, some students will just tune-out after a certain point, and possibly miss key elements to ensuring that they have a successful day. In that event, I try to break-up the day a little and not over-saturate them with too much material at one time. Maybe I'll do two demos- 2 hours apart from eachother, as opposed to just a long one at the start of class. By doing this, they have better results with their product and are able to retain the information that was given during the course of the day.
Hi Shirley,
Well said. By knowing these things we can customize our instruction and accommodate the diversity found within our student population. This will help with a higher level of successful student completion and satisfaction.
Gary
Hi Anthony,
You have that right. I am always amazed as I start a new class how this occurs. Once they get settled into the course and get to know a bit about each other they start to focus on the course more than their position in the "pecking" order of the class. The first night of class I have the students do some activities both as ice breakers as well as examples of what is to come in the course. These activities are designed so both the younger and older students don't know how to do them unless they work together. This really helps to get past some of the posturing that occurs.
Gary
An understanding of learner characteristics help in the instructional planning process by being involved in the learners decisions affecting their education, developing positive, 'can do' attitudes within a framework of mutual respect and responsibility
Hi Anthony,
I definately concur w/ your observations. Older students understand the value of a dollar and view student loans in terms of dollars and cents, thus they try generally try to learn all they can in the class. Younger students coming right out of high school sometimes still have a hs mentally (ie. its no big deal to skip class).
Of course this is a generalization but I've taught enough classes to feel comfortable making it. As an instructor it can be very rewarding getting a younger student w/ this attitude to see her coursework through the eyes of the older student. Now she's ready to learn
Well, at our school we have the opportunity to welcome a new class of students every six weeks. I've noticed the younger students are very concerned with appearing competent, as if they don't really need the instruction; they know it all already--they just need the piece of paper that reaffirms that.
On the other hand, the older career changer needs to know they are getting value for their money.
Being aware of this helps to answer initial questions of theirs that may otherwise seem odd. For the first few days it's all about posturing.
Hi Timothy,
You are right about the need to "read" students and the dynamics of the class each day. By doing so it greatly reduces the challenges you will face concerning managing student behavior and motivation.
Gary
Hi Steven,
A simple statement but so true in every way. By showing that you care the respect and rapport process is being started from the beginning of the course.
Gary
I know it may have become an educational cliche, but it's true--students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. When instructors take the time to understand what the individual learner needs to help them learn, a bridge of empathy has been built over which the learning will travel--in both directions!
Why, learner characteristics are invaluable. I for one don't know how you could get through the morning without paying careful attention to the individual characteristics of learners.
Hi Terry,
You have expressed a common situation very well. Most of us have experienced exactly what you describe. Working with diverse students requires that you use all of the creativity that you can find to make sure you meet their individual learning needs. Keep up the good work.
Gary
