Knowing how you can relate to that student and enhance their learning.
Brady,
Student centered teaching in an active manner is a powerful instructional delivery approach. The more senses that can be involved in the learning process the better. Your students appreciate the opportunity to use their tactile learning preference while acquiring the cognitive part of the course as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is the center of why we do what we do - the student. Understanding your audience is critical in how to best reach them, and how to prepare for their attendance. If you understand why they are attending, what it is they are there to learn, it helps in the ADDIE process. What kind of students tend to need education or training in automotive repair? Students who are more kinesthetic learners - a lot of aural information and reading/writing is going to frustrate them.
Nicole,
I have encountered similar results when getting my students out of the book and allowing them to exercise their kinesthetic and critial thinking skills in small groups. This is an extremely helpful approach in sciences as well. I have participated in courses where the same course is presented but the student outcomes varied. Courses that test their ability to take what you're lecturing and make it relative to their careers outside of school, in my experience, have better results and success long after they leave your classroom.
Ruth,
This is how you will keep your students engaged. Offering instruction in different formats lets the students use their different learning preferences and this increases their focus and motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If I understand what the learning characteristics are of my students, then I am able to adjust my lectures and presentaiton to fit the needs of my students. There are many different types of learning styles, audio, visual, sensoary. I have to adjust depending on the group that I am teaching.
Donna,
Yes it will. Knowing that you are aware of them and their different learning preferences helps them to see you as a supportive learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think this is a good discussion to have with the class on the first day. The students might not recognize that there are different learning syles. Letting the students know that we are concerned with how they learn and are willing to include each style in our teaching will help the student feel more at ease with learning.
Susan,
Your approach is student centered and this is how it should be. By checking for understanding you can make any needed adjustments while keeping the students progressing in the material.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding the Learner Characteristic help you tailor the material to the students in a specific class. I have a tendency to chance delivery and pace based on observations of understanding.
Understanding a students background and interest can give you insight to their study and learning habits.
Gary,
Thank you for these good points about how to bring the different elements of good instruction to play in the classroom. This is what each instructor needs to set as a goal for quality instruction to occur.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When teaching it always helps to know more about the subject and more about the students. You have to match the subject course objectives and your instructional methods to the students' learner characteristics. Understanding the backgrounds and concerns of each student helps us to plan better lessons.
John,
You have a good sense in terms of how to deliver content via different mediums. You are right about the fact that you need to incorporate these other mediums to retain student interest even if the course dwells on visual medium.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teaching in a visual medium, it is still important to know that not all students learn in this way. I provide lectures as well as power points and readings. While the assumption is that because the course is about the visual medium, it should be taught visually, but knowing the learner characteristics help to plan accordingly.
Daniel,
I like your vision for how you are going to approach the classroom and deliver your content. This is how instructional planning should be covered. You are looking at both the students that you have enrolled as well as the content you are going to deliver which gives you a picture of how you are going to share your content. I am sure this results in a high level of effective learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an instructor, I am constantly aware that learning techniques that appeal to me personally may not be a particular student's "cup of tea." Also, I try to guard against taking the "easy road" in the planning process by falling back on a prepared lecture when time for planning becomes an issue. I often ask students what they liked and disliked about a class when I use different teaching methods, and I usually receive good, honest feedback that gives me insight into which methods appeal to the students individually.
Melissa,
It really does. Having this information gives you insight into how they are going to respond as you get into the course content. Also, having this information can assist you in providing support to students if you encounter them having some struggles.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It helps to understand where your student is coming from so that you can help- them if need be in an appropriate manner.
Robert,
Good observation on your part. This has been my experience as well. Having such experience in your background makes you more effective and efficient as you approach the different student personalities in your classes. Thanks for sharing this observation with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
