Having an understanding of learner characteristics allows an instructor to plan their method of instruction to include everyone’s learning style and to involve every student in the learning process to ensure that the lesson being taught is understood and retained. Understanding learner characteristics allows you to customize the lesson to maximize learning.
Anita,
All good components for the students to be refreshed on as you move through the course sequence.
Gary
Not all of us learn in the same fashion or/speed , knowing our students and how a lecture and their learning style ,what exite them and make them curious about wanting to know more, looking at their faces and seeing that lightbulb go on when they get it , or the troubled face when they don't ,help the teacher plan their lessons to accomodate different learning styles and have a succesful lecture
It helps to understand how a student feels, what their strenghts and weaknesses maybe it also helps with being able to curve the planning process by knowing what type of students you may have in your class.
Verna Bilski
You have to be able to relate to the student and understand the needs of each student to be bale to help them in the learning process. I always think, How would I feel if I were in their shoes.
I agree Randy. Participation is a great way to get to know your student and understand their learning characteristics. Once this is learned, you can taylor your material to fit the need.
I do agree with you Mike. The ability to access and make changes accordingly can enhance a students ability to learn in an enviornment that they are comfortable in.
I definitely agree with your post. It gives you the advantage of tayloring your planning to fit students needs.
An understanding of learner characteristics helps allow an instructor to plan a combination of instructional planning. Having knowledge of the various characteristics gives an advantage of providing content that is understandable to students.
To be able to meet each persons needs on an individual plane rather than the class as a whole.
Finding where their weakness is to build upon to make a strength and then tapping onto their strengths for positive reinforcement.
It will help me to be diverse in the ways I teach and deliver my lecture. Some people learn through visual, and some through hands-on materials. I notice some people work well in groups and others shy away from them. I look at these different learning abilities as the multiple intelligences we have inside which help us learn. If I am aware of these different learning abilities; then, I am able to select different learning tools such as Power Point, handouts, lecture, video etc. Using these tools, I feel I am able to reach a wider variety of students in the classroom. When I touch on different ways a student learns; then, every student feels like they are contributing to the class in some way. Knowing the learners characteristics will help me challenge the students to try different learning abilities they are not used to using or didn't know they had.
I believe the learning characteristics between young and olderer students can vary greatly.
Younger students are generally accepts information without question and often depend upon the facilitator for direction. They are still a bit untried or lack experience and need some re-assurance the college path is valid for them when so many options are avaliable.
An older student questions the material. They have experience and know that what is presented to them may not always be truthful or have the wisdom to understand their viewpoint may not correct. The older student wants to be in college because their current job is unsatisfying, unsecure, or non-existant. However, because of their age, they need re-assurance as well because of the youthful stigma college has gained over the years.
It is critical that you evaluate each student for their learning style as well as their level of expertise--even the English language. You need to not only teach in the "middle ground" but be able to keep the sharp students busy--and go the extra mile for the stuggling ones. You need to be an observer--a continual "people watcher" as far as your students are concerned.
You can plan or adjust your instructional materials to benefit the sharp students as well as the slower ones but you have to know their strong and weak points. This all takes time and effort on your part. If you put the time and effort into it, it will be rewarding to you also.
So you can present class material in a way that takes into consideration the various learning styles of each student in your class. What motivates them, what will help them to recall information, etc.
It will help you in what analogies to use and how to break up people for group activties.
I try to use the information they have given me regarding their interests. For example, if they are a big football fan, I can try to relate a math problem to football somehow.
It is important to me to know as much about each student characteristics in order to discover their individual wants and needs. Before online classes begin I set in motion an additional forum for all students to respond to asking the simple questions of who, what, where, when and how. Discovery of this information for each adult learner assists in the planning and how best to deliver lectures. Teaching is not rocket science but we as instructors have to recognize the importance of knowing about our students to best serve them.
An understanding of learner characteristics helps me to be more receptive to questions and concerns from my students. Whether the student sends long questioning emails or prefers to speak over the phone, it is very important for me to consider the learning style and preferences of my students. I actually keep notes on what works and what does not work with my individual students. Some do very well with written instructions, others require that I go to Adobe Connect and visually demonstrate skills such as computer or writing tasks.
Because students bring all different experiences and because they learn in diferent ways- it is important for me to get to know the students so that I can use as many different teaching tools and methods as possible.
Melinda,
This is a most enjoyable process because you know you are making a different in the learning success of your students. You are impacting their lives and their futures by helping them make progress in their program.
Gary
