Hi Caroline,
Good point. The key is that the students realize you care about their success and their future. Once they know that their respect for you will increase and you can start the development of rapport which is an essential connection between teacher and students.
Gary
Hi Christopher,
Leadership is leadership just as you have said. As educational leaders we need to practice the elements of leadership at all levels. This includes getting to know our students and developing rapport with them so we can help them achieve their career goals.
Gary
I have found that having an understanding of learner characteristics is absolutely essential for instructional planning.
Having a knowledge of the the differences that exist in the backgrounds and life experiences of my students has enabled me to plan learning activities that have given them the opportunity to include their real world experiences, cultural diversity and skills. I have found that this promotes greater interest in the subject and students realize that you care about them on an individual basis.
It should go without saying. Don't try to sell air conditioners to the inhabitants of
Anartica.
Everyone learns and works in different ways. Before I taught the classes I teach now, I used to manage people of various disciplines and backgrounds. It doesn't matter what the scenario, the basics of leading people is always the same and making it a point to understand at least a little bit about each individual allows you to better communicate with and motivate that individual.
Knowing what makes one "tick" (so-to-speak) makes everything you do with them ten times easier and more effective.
If you understand where the student is coming from educationally as well as culturely you will be able to modify your teaching to suit their needs. This shows the student you care and are mindful and respectful of them and their needs. This will lead to a more relaxed and confident student who will then be more successful in achieving their goals.
It is a great tool as it allows you find what each student is expecting from the course and how to address those expectations
Hi Jeff,
Right you are about needing to engage and personalize the learning situation for each student. This can be a challenge but the rewards are well worth it. Through your efforts you are helping your students to achieve their life long goals. That is powerful because it shows us the impact we are having on the lives of our students.
Gary
By understanding learner characteristics you are able to engage and personalize the learning situation to each student. We have a very diverse background here so being able to relate to and understand those characteristics of each individual student is important in retention efforts and overall student moral.
Hi Sean,
There are a number of very good learning preference and multiple intelligence assessments on the web that you can access. I would suggest you look at some of them and select one that you think will work in your setting. Many career colleges do an intake assessment on learner preferences and if your college does this then you will have a profile of the incoming students from which you can plan your instructional delivery.
Gary
first: there are some amazing posts above with some excellent tips/best practices!
as for understanding or learner characteristics: of course it is essential. If my students are all hands-on learners and I conduct only lecture series then they will become bored, frustrated and probably leave school. I think the question I would ask is, how does one discover learner characteristics of students, especially early in their academic progression?
It will help me to learn new instructional methods, improve my weak ones, and master the best of I have.
Hi William,
Good example of needed learning strategies for a specific field. Math is a cognitive exercise that required tactile involvement for application. By having them work through a problem they get the process. I had no idea that working through a problem was so critical until I say your percentage quote.
Gary
Hi Marianna,
Great plan for getting your students settled into the course and knowing they have a caring dedicated instructor. Your "reading" of your students will really help to identify the supports each one needs to assist in making the needed progress in the course.
Gary
I teach math, and I can give lectures on how to do math problems, but if I understand that most of the students think they understand by watching me do the problems, yet they cannot do the problems when asked, I then must create an excersise for them to try working out the problems before they leave the class.
In math 99% of the students cant learn until they actually try to work the problems themselves.
I make sure that I remember all of my students name the first week of class. That way they know I care and are not perceiving me as a cold person or who would not care. I have great techniques to memorize their names, and the students do appreciate it. I also make sure to pay attention to their needs as learners, as everyone has different needs and comfort levels. I can tell who is outspoken and who prefes to be asked a question rather than shout it out. I try to make the students feel comfortable enough to ask me questions when they need to without feeling embarassed or being afraid of asking a dumb question. I treat my students with respect and trust and it proved to be very valuable to them
Hi John,
You have a real challenge in your setting. Three weeks is a short span of time but it sounds like you are working hard to "read" your students as they come in and then select the instructional supports that they need to be successful.
Gary
Understanding learner characteristics gives the instructor many directions to go. It could be working one on one, maybe in small groups, more short test, lest lectures, more lectures, more hands on labs. The problem I have is I only have the students three weeks and i have got to make a direction very quick. I can change directions as needed but again I have only three weeks. My class is a pass or fail 80% on writter and 100% in lab and this starts some students frustration.
Hi Dr. Meers,
When planning for a class whether it is brand new curriculum or as an instructor in a structured class I am ever mindful of the learning diversity of my classroom. My first challenge is the content of the class. I want to straddle the gap between the younger students and the non traditional students. Both have fears and concerns at the start of every class and I need to address those personalities. The second is the pace.I want it to move quickly enough to keep everyone engaged but not so fast that students might feel overwhelmed from the beginning and become discouraged. Lastly is an assessment of the actual class. I need to gauge the learning syles of everyone present and adjust my delivery. Their success is my success.
Hi Mary,
Great profile of a dedicated caring instructor. I commend you for your efforts in getting to know your students and then letting them know that they have someone that cares about their success and future.
Gary
