Understanding the background of your students can create an easier more acceptable atmosphere for the student to learn new information because the content of the course is really something the student wants to learn and is not just something they have to learn.
Hi Joshula,
You make a good point about being a life long learner. As instructors we have to be such or we will soon fall behind in our field.
Gary
Hi George,
Instructional planning needs to include both variety and creativity. These two items will really help to keep students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Hi,
I am an adult learner, I continue to learn everyday, and the thing that keeps me interested in learning is the care. When a teacher lets me know that they care about my learning I am most interested in the subject and I am sure that it works both ways. Teachers become better when their students are enthusastic about a subject.
Joshula
Understanding learner characteristics is very important in teaching the class content. If the class is a mixture of young and adult learners, the material must be presented in a manner that both can equally understand.
I think that the tools such as power point presentations, lectures, surveys, like other teaching tools available are very important but my believe is that the human contact is the key to eradicate fear amongst adult students, once you establish their needs, learning abilities and gain their trust and respect any teacher will be able to blossom the attention, interest and imagination making the learn and enjoy the class fully
Hi Michelle,
You make a very good point about tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students. Customized instruction is important to keep students engaged while meeting the needs of the total class. A challenge but one that is fun because it lets you be creative in your approach.
Gary
Understanding a learners charatereistics helps in the instructional planning process because it allows the instructor to tailor the couse content to the individuals student needs. This assist students in therir learning and encourages them to be more successful.
helps to structure the learning environment by utilizing different methods of teaching. The methods that are used, if evenly distributed, make a level playing field for different kinds of learners.
Hi Richard,
Glad to hear about the information that you have gained from the course. Continue to look for ways of expanding your professional abilities and you are going to have a great teaching career.
Gary
Hi Robert,
You have had some great experiences that I know have helped you to expand your expertise as an educator. These experiences will help you to continue to grow as a professional. Keep up the good work.
Gary
In my classroom some students would prefer that you just tell them how to accomplish a task whereas others would rather be shown how to do the task. Just understanding that was a great help.
I found this course to be a great guide into my students and how differently the take in information. the whole idea of a set curriculum that fits everyone doesn't work with all learners.
It helps you to understand where a student is coming from, and what they value. It might lead to better teaching methods.
I have had students with english as there second language, to help with this I had some students record my lectures & vido tape my demos. I have also had students with disabilities in class like the hearing impaered, could not read. I had someone sign my lectures & someone read for that student.
Hi Douglas,
Thank you for sharing your success approach. You are modeling the techniques of an instructional delivery expert (IDE). By being on the lookout for the different needs of your students you are able to change or modify what you are doing to target their learning preferences. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Do to the fact that there are many different learning styles and paces of learning,I feel that as an instructor it is our responsiblity to not only layout a well rounded plan, but to also introduce it in such a way that we are able to reach all the students with the same qaulity of learning.
I prefer to pace myself steady and consistant and ask many questions along the way of the students to keep there involvement.
I have found that by speaking clearly and loud enough for all to hear, talking in simple terms, and having interaction throughout the lessons that most all students are satisfied with understanding the material at a very well rounded level.
I will also encourage taking lots of notes, watch the speed in which they are writing the info givin to help pace myself so that the slower learners write a little faster and yet not to keep the faster one with down time in between modules/lessons. I find this to be very effective with great results when testing.
Motivation is a highly personal activity. There are great differences between how one idividual instructor motivates an individual student. The greater the understanding of each learners individual charictaristics the greater the liklihood of a success by the instructor in motivating the student.
Hi Nick,
Great forum response. I am the type of learner you described in your response. While I'm not very good at taking standardized tests I can design, build and remodel most any type of dwelling. The point is that I learn through tactile means when I can see the relevancy of what I am learning. At times this has been a challenge since most of my career has involved working in areas where cognitive assessments were the norm. The courses I currently teach focus on the immediate application of newly acquired knowledge so students can see the value of what they are studying.
I like the saying "It's not how smart you are, but how you are smart."
Gary
Hi Don,
You make a number of very good points about the diversity of learners within a classroom. The ability to plan for these differences and then support the learners as they move through the course is essential. Keep up the good work.
Gary
