Corey,
The more senses used will yield better retention and performance. Let's take notetaking:
1. Write them
2. Rewrite them
3. Read notes aloud (into tape recorder)
4. Listen to taped notes as notes are reviewed.
5. Teach info from notes to another.
Here, virtually all senses can be involved. Doing the same for other media or learning resources will have similar results.
Barry Westling
Knowing that different students have different leaning styles (audial, visual, &
kinesthetic), it is important to bring a variety of senses into play for students when teaching. I typically will write notes on the board while lecturing, which helps students to both see & hear what is most important, as well as give them something physical to do, instead of just listening. Since I teach computer systems, I'll also add demonstrations to reinforce the visual senses of students, in addition to preparing them for the kinesthetic that they will get by performing activities themselves in the lab.
Asking questions, asigning reading, having group discussions, and having students demonstrate certain activities/skills are some other ways to keep students active, engaged, and using a variety of senses in learning.
Teresa,
True. If we can inspire, we can motivate, and perhaps create the beginnings of greatness. Why should we expect less?
Barry Westling
The simplest strategy is doing what you're describing. To communicate Aristotle's theory that human beings are born with the seeds of virtues, we plant a tomato seed and watch it develop - the same example from nature that Aristotle used to teach. The difference is that we actually do it. Each student leaves the class with a tomato plant ready to transplant but also with a real understanding of the seeds of virtue within him/her that are developing and expressing.
Edward,
Hands on learning coupled with foundational theory usually results in the best outcomes (retention, application, successful employee!).
Barry Westling
I teach electronics. Efficient troubleshooting is as much using your senses as your test equipment. I have a collection of circuit boards that are used for demo. When asked what the approach would be for troubleshooting the boards, I get many variations of scripted methods. They would all work but not efficiently. I then show them an approach based on observation of the board, environmental conditions etc to demonstrate faster methods before you even pick up a piece of test equipment. I present them with situations based from my past experience. It is amazing when they start to think and look at what at first looked like irrelevant details to focus their investigation.
Carole,
Color is sort of like a seasoning to a meal. It just adds enough to make a bit more flavor to the lesson.
Barry Westling
I've had success with index cards. I look forward to trying different colors of handouts as was discussed elsewhere.
John,
You've got a great laboratory for exploring the use of equipment and incorporating mutilple senses into the learning plan. I believe most classes could utilize more senses in many cases. Teachers just need to become more aware of their importance and usefulness.
Barry Westling
I always use the senses when teaching in the laboratory situation. I empasize the sights, sounds, touch (heat or cold) and smells when a piece of equipment is operationg normally and in a faulted condition.
Angela,
Mostly, I've found students like role playing. The downside is they know it's not real. But the thinking skills that can be emphasized are worth the effort.
Barry Westling
I do this by putting my student in a role-play scenario where they have to observe a patient, respond and interact, write the observation and repeat back. This helps to involve all senses of communication.
Skip,
I think you're right. I find it truely amazing how some students and professionals can become so proficient at a task that the tool (mouse, paintbrust, welding torch) becomes an extension of the individuals body. Truely artistc and exemplary craftmanship. It doesn't come automatically, but I beleive it can come to most with (perfect) practice!
Barry Westling
Repetition...
Practice makes perfect - Not really -
It should be perfect practice makes prefect... In the graphic arts the students are using their eyes to see (obviously) & more importantly they are using both of their hands to interface with the design software to create & design... I think it is really important to train them to use the mouse & keyboard with the correct technique.
Like in any sport your are training your muscles to act and react - I believe the same is true when the digital arts... It is important to instruct the students to work the mouse (and keyboard simultaneously) it is a real trick and the movements are complex.
The graphic arts software has a complex dance between the left & right hand - one on the keyboard the other on the mouse... although they will not crash and harm someone like a truck driver there is a very clear set of interactions that they need to learn in order to master the tool set...
It is real easy to get-it-wrong & it is much harder to master the correct way of working... so perfect practice makes prefect...
anthony,
This is a wonderful exercise as it convincingly demonstrates both how dependent we are with words and at the same time challenges students to think apart from their usual reliance on words. I feel word choice in writing is really a skilled profession. It's much different from casual consverastaion (where, tone, non-verbal cues, and vernacular) all contribute to conveying a message. Great application of the importance of using the senses in learning!
Barry Westling
Terri,
Hands on definitely compliments the theory and didactic components of a class. Some courses have limited opportunities to do hands on. But nearly all classes have some sort of practical application aspect that can be integrated into the daily lessons. I will often quote "knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do"(Goethe).
Barry Westling
I emphasized the effects of nonverbal communication by assigning my students a skit they acted out without the use of words. Withdrawing the use of words to communicate helped students view communication from a different perspective.
The instruction that my students learn is hands on. The field they will be entering the students will be in need of good tactile skills. The students need to be aware of non-verbal and verbal communication.
Kelli,
I do a learning style assessment prior to my first class also (during orientation). When completed, we share commonalities and then get into groups with similar learning styles. Often, these student sort of bond and become friends for the duration of two years in school - which can be a good thing, but not always (similar learning styles do not equate to similar personality types). The biggest disadvantage is, although I possess this knowledge, it's difficult to pass on to other teachers for them to use in the same way I do. Nut ultimately, each teacher has to decide for themselves what works and what resources they want for their classes.
Barry Westling
As an instructor at a career school, I recognize the importance of different learning styles. During the first course or two of our program, I administer a multiple intelligence short questions test to the class. The students answers are then categorized into one of the nine multiple intelligences. Each student then presents their top three to the class. It is a great way to get acquainted with the new students and the students with each other. With this data, I can then try to focus my teaching style to their learning styles.
