By understanding the learner characteristics we can be in a better position to plan for instruction because we know where the student is at in terms of level of ability.
Mike
Great insight, I too try to be flexible in my understanding of my students as we have a very diverse community and many different attitudes and cultural differences. This has allowed me the opportunity to share some very memorable experiences not to mention some great food.
Clearly, a better understanding of how students learn will help the instructor develop classroom content and strategies that will take advantage of student strengths and provide remediation avenues for student weaknesses.
If you don't know your student, you have very little chance of teaching them. You have to adapt your message to the learner, so knowing them is essential.
Hi Michelle,
Good example of using previous experiences to build a base from which current expertise can be developed. Your experience as a ballroom dance instructor has given you the ability to use encouragement in such a way that a person with little or no coordination could benefit from your instruction. This is the case in your current instructional setting. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
Hi Lynn,
One of the things current students want to establish during their education is a network. This network needs to be more than a social network so they can draw on the network when they are interested in career development. Sometimes they forget some of the best members of their career network are fellow students. They need to cultivate those relationships so they can be used throughout out their professional lives.
Gary
Understanding learner characteristics enables the instructor to confidently design and deliver a variety of learning experiences that align with the greatest diversity of student goals and objectives. This alignment optimizes student motivation while boosting the effectiveness of the learning climate for all students in class.
When creating the syllabus for the day and the daily class plan, learner characteristics act as a guideline to which approach and/or method of delivery for the day will best reach the students.
Often classes may require more than one explanation or demonstration of material or technique based on the current level of the students. By observing the learner characteristics of the class as a whole and students as individuals I can anticipate challenging areas and those areas which might require more effort or supplemental materials for the students to achieve a full understanding of the material.
Understanding learner characteristics helps me look at instructional content from different angles and tailor the courses I teach accordingly. I am more aware now how different students have different learning characteristics and that one teaching style does not fit all.
I so agree with this..it goes back to the old school way of teaching to the middle....
I agree that working within a diverse age group will enhance the learning experience. I have found that it also fosters relationships...often that run throughout a whole program.
I have found that the more I can realize about the students, the more effectivly I can convey the course materials to the students. When the students have a better understanding of the course materials, they seem to excel in all of the remaining areas of their training.
I used to teach ballroom dance many years ago. It was invaluble in teaching me how to teach others, because if what I was saying wasn't working, it was immediately obvious - the student couldn't perform the step. I quickly learned how to say the same thing many, many different ways, and I would cycle through them - slow quick quick; forward side together; etc. - until I could see the student's face light up with understanding.
Now that I'm in a different field, the feedback isn't so quick and obvious, but being able to express the same concept in different ways has helped me tremendously in reaching students.
Michelle
Understanding learner characteristics helps the instructor create and deliver effective plans and lessons. For example, in a classroom that consists of differing age groups, instructor will assign students of different ages to work together in small groups. This will foster cooperation, understanding, and an appreciation of the what each brings and can contribute to class.
The same learning objectives exist for all students; some are much better off than others and thus do not require as much one on one time; the others may need a lot of coaching; I constantly throughout comments about methodology of studying and little epitaphs such as "repetition in the mother of learning."
I agree that it can be very difficult to get across to some of the non-traditional learners; it can take an extraordinary effort to make that breakthrough. Which may be difficult given time restraints; but, if you want to keep them you better make the time or ensure someone else gets with them.
Of course you do have to monitor the situation and may assign a leadership role to a more mature person in the group; which may be the older student, but not necessarily.
There are different types of learning going on in the room and I need to diversify my approach to make it so each type can equally learn well.
An understanding of learner characteristics helps instructional planning by knowing how much remedial work may have to be done as well as how deep into the subject the group as a whole may go.
I believe you must adjust your teaching style to the different types of learning styles you have in your classroom. In my lectures I try to initiate something for the auditory learners, the visual learners and the kinistetic learners. I find that I can reach more of my students this way and they appreciate me taking the time to help each and every one of them. I spend one on one time with all of my students and this lets them know that I care about them and I want them to succeed.
