learning styles
We find out each students learning style in their first course which enables us to use the information to educate them better. It works well when you can divide into groups by learning style.
A close observation of body language and overall attitute will help to identify a student's frustration with the learning process. When I observe this it usually means I need to find this person's learning style and help them learn in another way.
I like to give students a short 30-question learning assessment and talk a little about learning styles in our first class meeting. Students always enjoy learning something about themselves, and since I teach one of their first classes in college and many are the first among their families to attend college, I think it's pretty helpful. It lets me tailor future lesson plans to their needs.
Hi Bennett,
Let me know how this works out for you. Based upon what you said there should be many examples available for your students to see, smell and touch.
Semantic memory is using memory for rote purposes, such as dates, facts, etc.
Episodic memory is based upon experiences that a person has had. The more episodic memory experiences you can get your students exposed to the better they will remember and also will find the knowledge easier to apply.
Good luck.
Gary
Gary, I will certainly try that method with this Mother's Day weekend and extra food and the fear of spoiling leftovers.
Today was glow powder on the hand day and lots of students wore gloves to try and not glow when put underneath the UV light. I just received some Petri dishes to have the class touch next week.
I definately agree with Gary here. While teaching I am attending school. One of my science (lab) classes displays examples as described. What seemed to be the easiest concept to remember appeared on the final. To remember it all I could think of was the demonstration where I physically used the materials and saw the results. Those are the things I did not forget from class.
Hi Bennett,
Tactile learning involves using not only touch but other senses as well. When I teach an area that involves these other senses I bring all kinds of samples and examples into the classroom and lab. Set up a series of food samples in the various stages of decay. Let them see/smell/and with gloves feel the consistency of the samples. They will remember these samples I will assure you. The learning point with this is to get them to remember the steps of food safety, for example and the graphic examples will have them talking about what they saw and how it smelled. I have found that the students even joke about the food safety lessons through the entire course and this helps them with their long term memory of what food safety is all about.
Gary
Dear All:
How do you provide tactial teaching in a general education classroom such as sanitation or food safety.
I'm open for auditory ways also.
I'd have to say I'm poor at figuring out a student's style of learning to teach to. How to improve?
Thanks,
Bennett
I agree with Mike Caserio, but to what extent do we elaborate our classes differently?
Often times it seems we forget that part of our job is to entertain a little. If you can keep the interest of the students without crossing the line, they seem to open up a little more. I find that this opens the lines of communication so you can discover the best ways to deliver instruction among a group of students with several learning styles.
Hi Benjamin,
When talking about blending students it is always a challenge to be able to meet all of the respective learning needs with such diversity in the class. This is also what make teaching so much fun. No two days are ever the same and variety is always a constant. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I have pondered this question for myself and only after several years of coursework have I gained enough introspection to make some conclusions.
I have noticed that the younger learners may not have determined what their learning styles are and that the intructor may have to help them determine what works for them.
I have asked students what works for them and usually its the older, more experienced students that will have their answers.
It is good to alternate your teaching styles and methods so that you will be more effective.
Hi Douglas,
I believe that it is good for an instructor to know his/her learning preference. That way they know how they like to learn and can develop learning strategies that appeal to all the learning preference areas since they know how effective having instruction in their preferred way is for them.
Gary
I wonder if finding out what learing style an instructor has would help with their education. I know I'm a tactical learner and I struggle with this type of trainig.
I try to teach different styles so everyone can learn.
Yes, sometimes I forget and teach only to the learning style that I am.
The consideration of learning styles is imperative to ensure that each student receives adequate learning to enhance their education
