Understanding learner's characteristics helps me to plan ahead in how I want to get some lessons across.Typically, in my courses,we have multiple ways for a student to understand material,from web based training courses,to live excersizes addressing the same material.I also use as many training aids as possible to pass around, so students can see for themselves what this part is or that part.Sometimes holding it in your hand is worth a thousand words of explanation.
Hi Richard,
I commend you for your efforts to personalize instruction for your students. This is very important to their success and based upon your own educational experiences you know how to target their learning needs. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Well, having had to work through dyslexia I can relate to students with learning disabilities. When this issue comes up, which it does occasionally, I let the student know that I can sympathize with them from experience, and then work with him or her to find alternative ways to learn and assess the class material.
Obviously this is an example of why "one size doesn't fit all"--each student is different and I try to give some flexibility for their strengths. For example, in many classes I have visually oriented (art) students. I encourge them to draw relevant parts of their tests, and use a lot of graphics in lecture. Even if they don't draw answers, the fact that I am willing to work with them seems to help their learning attitudes.
Hi Stacy,
Well said. We all need to have a comprehensive approach to our planning so we can offer instruction to the entire class while meeting the individual needs of our students. Variety and understanding are two parts of the planning process that makes this possible.
Gary
Understanding the characteristics of a learner helps you as an instructor play a roll in: the rentention of information, encouraging and informing students on how well they doing in class, and help you successfully deliver the information to your students.
An instructor is then able to be more specific in their instructional processes. An example would be if a student is more of a hands-on, tactile, learner the instructor would need to ensure they include that into their teaching. It would be the same for auditory or visual learners. Thus allowing the students to increase their knowledge to the great potential.
Understanding leraners' characteristics aids in the planning stage by allowing the instructors (us) to plan activities and assignments to fit the students' needs and learning styles. We have such a diverse group that we must get to know our learners' characteristics to help them succeed.We face different learning styles, different maturity levels etc. each term. We must be flexible and plan for each group accordingly.
Hi Janice,
You are right. Simple concept that works in many different settings. By knowing your audience you know how to better meet their needs.
Gary
Gary
This is much like scanning the environment and knowing your customer and who matters most. I believe for these reasons this is totally imperative.
Janice
My biggest issue in the classroom is age diversity. I understand that traditional students bring to the table different characteristics than those brought by non-traditional students.
I often form teams comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds This gives the students an opportunity to not only learn the material, but to learn cultural skills that will help them assimilate into the workforce.
Understanding learner characteristics helps me think more carefully how to approach and interact with each student. I can see their needs more sympathetically and want to meet them.
I have found that both age and cultural backgrounds can be tremendous tools in reinforcing a students confidence in the classroom. To the extent that I mix and match students in different group activities it breaks down initial issues of shyness or difference as the team members work together on a project, usually one of short duration. It not only breaks the ice but also introduces students to the value of one another - in terms of age, prior experience or interests.
It allows you to be able to reach hopefully all students in your class on their specific level. Some students are visual learners, some are hands on, some are more independant and only need minimal instruction. So touching on all learning styles will ensure that certain students are not left out.
I like to think that people with a specific culture, ethnicity, age, etc have their own "languages". To communicate effectively, one needs to speak the language of the other and be able to interpret the language spoken from the other.
understanding the learner helps me to teach in a way that the student can get involved and really like my class instead of just being present.
Income and race differences should also be factered into the learning process. The best way for people not to be afraid of other people is to get to know them.
This is hugely important as we all know, we have a wide variety of learning styles represented in our classrooms at any given time. I use a variety of instructional techniques to accommodate the visual, auditory and tactile learners. It is quite challenging to include all types of learners in each lesson plan, and is why it is important to mix it up as much as possible.
Although there might be great diversity in the classroom within age and culture, my students are all there for the common interest of culinary arts. I use this uniting factor to bring the often diverse group of students together.
By breaking the class into small teams of varied ages, career experiences and cultural backgrounds, I find the students will usually towards developing better understanding for each other and work towards getting the project at hand completed.
I also make sure that all my students have a comfort level in the class - I pause, repeat, checking for comprehension.
Hi Martha,
I like to do something along this line as well. I have a game or activity that my students do as they get settled in to the course for the evening. This approach also helps me with developing rapport with the students as a result of the interaction from the activities.
Gary
An understanding of learner characteristics can help in the instructional planning process by providing insight in how learning material can be presented in order to maximize the student's learning potential in the most timely manner.
