Incorporating various tools applicable to several learning techniques creates a innovative environment for learning.
My lesson plans may very depending on the students absorbsion of the material. Sometimes I have to change it up if I notice in first few sessions that some students are not catching on.
I use both formal and informal methods for assessing the students' learning style by giving them some tests, observing them, and interacting with them.
Nelia,
Do you use a formal/informal method for assessing your student's learning style or do you get an idea, based on classroom interactions?
Tremayne Simpson
My lesson plans have many components: powerpoints, lecture, class discussion and group activities. I am always thinking about how each student takes in information and I want to ensure that I am reaching the student in the best possible way for that learner.
Each student has his or her own learning style. I create my lesson plan in such a way that everybody will benefit from it.
When I teach clinical classes like Vital Signs, I divide the two hours into lecture, demonstration, actual practice, and a few questions-and-answers.
I teach culinary arts. When teaching food history I will regularly vary lecture with hands on kitchen activities related to our current topic to ensure that varied learning styles are adressed
shari,
I agree. Collaborative learning should be implemented, whenever possible. I am an advocate of "peer-induced" learning and I feel that viable and well-placed group assignments can positively impact the classroom learning environment.
Tremayne Simpson
Mark,
I agree. In order to approve effectiveness, instructional approach must coincide with overall student interests. Therefore, finding ways to implement more multimedia supplements, can enhance the experience for the students.
Tremayne Simpson
I think the best way is to utilize group learning. Every student has their own learning style and each may learn something they can use on their own.
I incorperate different methodologies for the different learning styles. For my visual learners, I use slides and video clips (which also help mu auditory learners) provide verbal explanations and hands on practices whenever possible. All techniques don't work all the time, but most can be accomidated with homework, outside assignemnts and feedback.
I think this is becoming more important. It seems as though social media and smart devices have decreased the students' attention span. A multimedia approach seems to hold their attention more successfully.
Hi Scott,
Have you thought of adopting Universal Design for Learning into your classroom? I personally feel that UDL principles provide a valuable framework which addresses each individual's learning schema.
Shell
In order to create effective and applicable lesson plans one must begin with information about; the intended audience, the subject matter, the standards (accrediting body, institutional, and/or professional industry), and the learning environment. This information provides the foundation with which to determine the appropriate learning theory, as well as which instructional approach, will provide the most successful level of knowledge or skill development. I recognize that my students all come with unique learning constructs. Therefore I must provide a degree of flexibility in my instruction. Knowing when and how to apply an andragogical or pedagogical approach is important as well. Utilization of both cognitive and constructivist theories in the lesson planning provides for this. After breaking down the subject matter into manageable units of instruction I further break down each unit into sub-units. It is the sub-units which provide me the developmental opportunities for lecture, lab projects, independent work assignments, and assessments. The most important factor in my lesson development is the utilization of Universal Design for Learning. These "multiple means" strategies provide the greatest guarantee that each learning style need will be met and provides me with easy to follow strategies to engage each of the learning networks.
I prefer the systematic approach to lesson development and have devised instruments which make lesson development enjoyable.
Marcia,
With such a "lengthy" class, I agree that the reinforcement method is effective for your students. Although they are working on a myriad of activities, during each class session, they still need an opportunity to review the primary concepts of the lesson.
Tremayne Simpson
Although I am teaching throughout the day (8-12 hours) in a clinical situation, I plan a 1 1/2 hour conference in the middle of the day to reinforce aspects of theory that the students are currently focused on. I review areas that they have questions on, I prepare quizzes which help to reinforce their knowledge, or they can use as a springboard to see areas they need to study more, and I try to have at least 1 skill, or new technique to try, for the kinesthetic learners. If there is time, we discuss some aspect of patient care, or a case study, to reinforce the learning objectives.
I try to keep learning styles in mind when I am creating presentations and daily schedules with the goal of blending as many of them as reasonable on a regular basis; some hands-on, some reading, some visual, etc.
Gerald,
You mirror my teaching method exactly. I short lecture, normally after putting up a theme or objective on the board, and then ask questions as we move along. Works great and gets all the students involved.
I use the same techniquies for my classes. I have found that when I put a variety of learning styles together in the study groups or discussion groups that the peer to peer learning is enhanced. I have resently had these groups work on career specfic topics and pick either the pros or cons. They then had to use visuals, lecture and hands on to prove their reasoning behind the topic. It really worked out well. The entire class was interacting, animated and got a motivational boost. I would love to hear more of your ideas.
First day of all classes i go around the room in open conversational format asking each student their career goals, why they are in this class and what they hope to acheive from the class im teacing
