I think a key element in today's classroom is the presence of military personnel. Many times the student knows they are being deployed again in 200 days and there is a frustration with stopping and starting their educational process. I like to keep in touch with our service personnel to reassure them we will support them and help them continue where they left off with their education. I also find that mixing the military personnel with the young learner forms an interesting dynamic for learning and problem solving. The service member typically takes on the role of helping the young learner to perform to a higher standard. The younger learner then feels responsible to the service member/classmate
to help keep class lively and interesting
Understanding learner characteristics helps in the instructional planning process because it allows the instructor to plan according to the specific characteristics of the learner. This helps guide the planning process and maximize on the tools that emphasize the identified learner characteristics.
This is important in deciding how to work with each student
Everyone learns in a different manner, so it is important to understand the various learner characteristics that appear in the classroom. By understanding these unique characteristics, we can form a more effective instructional plan by catering to different learning styles in an effort to reach more students across the board.
Understanding learning characteristics helps the instructor help the student to be successful. I remember an instructor I had who rarely lectured and gave lots of reading assignments. I was very frustrated because I can't learn that way. I got an A, but still felt as though I hadnt learned anything.
by understanding student's learning characteristics it helps us find the nescessary tool to help and assist them properly in their learning objectives.
Hi John,
This is so important to keep the students moving forward in their learning and staying engaged.
Gary
Also have to let the student have the small successes along the way. Do wonders for the confidence of the individual.
As an online instructor, it can be difficult to really know the ages, cultures, etc. of students that are enrolled in my class. The most important thing to remember is that everyone is different, so I do my best to set-up the learning environment so that it is comfortable and offers the information that I am teaching in different ways so it can be most effective. I have found that students taking online classes are very diverse and can be from all over the world, so I cannot lump everyone in the same basket.
I agree..I often use the same approach in my classes. This actually boosts the confidence of the student and creates an opening for more social bonding with peers, that may have otherwise been difficult to achieve.
It helps you develop a curriculum that meets all learners strengths.
That's a great idea. It's amazing how sometimes students will rise to the occasion if given the opportunity.
Allows the instructor to addapt to the needs of the student
I do a brief learning styles inventory in the first couple of days of the course. i also find out something about them (why are enrolled here? goals? etc)
This allows me to tailor my delivery when planning daily lessons.
Hi Daniel,
Spoken by a veteran instructor. You are right about needing to approach the students from several different ways to you can target the different learning preferences.
Gary
Hi Nathaniel,
What are some of the methods you use to get to know your students better?
Gary
I think it helps you understand your audience. I don't believe there is room for mechanical thinking when it comes to adult learners. Each person is motivated differently; each person has their own learning style, each have their own goals, likes and dislikes. Understanding this concept let's us work hard at finding creative ways to teach a subject to very diverse people. I find that I have to teach a subject 2 or 3 different ways to reach an entire class
In a nutshell the Understanding of Learner Characteristics allows an instructor to be as effective as possible in the classroom.
It helps me understand that each student may require a different "approach" in order to best communicate and teach the student
