Thomas,
These are great methods for accomodating various learning styles. I have noticed that many instructors have used podcasts as a medium to deliver their lectures, which is a great way to provide information to students that may have missed or were late for a class section. Excellent last name!
Tremayne Simpson
Cynthia ,
I also use a similar variety of assessments. I also try to diversify my written exams, by providing an even mix of multiple choice, true/false, short answer and essay questions.
Tremayne Simpson
I try to present the information in as many formats as possible. Since many students learn in different ways , I'll have the information we read from a book , create a powerpoint outlining the same info with added pictures , and have a PDF or Word file outlining and condensing the relevant information from the book , with the pages to the info covered in case students miss a class they will know what they need to study for a test. I am now considering having lectures in Podcast format that break down the technical info into more easily understood language.
I use written tests, presentations and hands-on skills testing in all my calsses. This variety of testing seems to appeal to all learning types.
Cynthia ,
Segmenting your class to appeal to various learning styles is a great approach. What methods do you use to diversify your student assessments, in order to appeal to the various learning styles?
Tremayne Simpson
Cameron,
These are great methods for diversifying your instructional approach, in order to meet the learning needs of your students. In addition, collaborative assignments can give students and opportunity to work with classmates that have differing learning styles, which can present them with alternative perspectives.
Tremayne Simpson
I plan lesson that have a variety of learing styles included. For those that are visual learners, I use videos and power points, for auditory learners, I plan discussions about the topics by breaking my lecture into small chuncks of information, and for kinesthetic learners I use hands on classroom projects. I use this with my night classes as they are 4 hours long and the students do not become bored or tired. It keeps them actively involved
Some of my students are capable of learning through powerpoint/lecture instruction, while others are more receptive to tactile/practical instruction. I normally create a lesson plan around a powerpoint lecture, but I create an assortment of various practical & tactile exercises to present to the class when I see fit. The practical exercises are great because they present an instant application to theory & they break-up the monotony of a lecture.
Daniel ,
Does each course section (at your institution) meet for three weeks?
Tremayne Simpson
We have a new group of students every three weeks. On day one i aske each student what they feel will help them understand the content outlined in the sylabus.I then form an action plan to cater to the different styles for that 3 week segment.
Julie,
These are great methods for adhering to multiple learning styles. What methods of assessment do you use, to adhere to the multiple learning styles?
Tremayne Simpson
I am a cosmetology instructor and I try to cover all the learning styles.I lecture for the auditory learners and then we cover the text together in class while having the students highlite key terms or notes.Then I do a demonstration for the visual learner and then I have the students replicate for the hands on learners.I find this to be very beneficail and effective in the class room!
I try to vary the activities in my class to provide variety in learning style and to give them (and me) a break. Lecture includes questions for the class and usually is accompanied with some sort of visual reinforcement. A hands-on application activity follows.
I also vary the ways I talk about a concept to include sensory-based language corresponding to various learning styles. For example, if I ask the class to "picture the following scenario," they will generally make pictures in their heads. If I encourage them to "grab hold" of a concept, they will generally make a kinesthetic connection.
At my Tech School I am limited to the amount of time I have to understand the students Learning Styles, (three weeks) on the first day I have the students tell me as much as possible about them selves as they fell comfortable from this point I then use question and answers, and then move to observing their work habits and interactions with other students in the first week, moving into the second and third week I adjust my course accordingly to each students strengths and weaknesses. Just by using this approach my students grasp the information better and my end of course testing have been noticeably better.
what i have notice that all my classes and students learn different, at times i'll put groups together, what i see is students helping students, some learn by reading, watching, or handons and by being in groups this seems to work.
At the beginning of each new start I have students tell me about themselves, what their motivations are for taking the class. I then present the information and use items to pass around the room and use open questioning. I encourage note taking and questions.
Katrina,
This is an excellent way to assess student learning styles. Have you encountered situations where the student(s) may not know what type of learner they are?
Tremayne Simpson
Gerald,
I agree, finding ways to create student discussion is important to the lecture. In many cases, the student discussion can enable an instructor to expand on the concepts and present additional examples. What are some ways that you encourage your students to participate in the class discussion?
Tremayne Simpson
At the begginig of the class I have each student fill out a card telling me what type of learner they are and how they like to learn.
I find that some students can multi-task, so I have to write on the board as well as lecture and ask questions. Try to get a discussion going among the students.
