Get Your Students Hired
I noticed that I have some students that look so lost during a lecture but once I put them in hands on assignments that brighten up and start to work. If I lecture all day I feel like I have lost those students for that entire class
It is important to offer a variety of instructional delivery methods in classes because not every student learns the same. Most teachers would just teach in a way that was good for them to learn, since it worked, but that does not mean it works for any or all of their students. Thus, by changing how the material is presented, and changing how the students show their knowledge of the content they have learned through differentiation, it is more likely that all of the students will succeed in the class.
Miriam,
Good strategy to employ. By "reading" your students you are able to customize your approach based upon their needs. This increases the value of the course to them and gets them to see why they are being taught as they are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Each student is different in one way or another--some learn first time others through a slower process or even by another student's aid. I watch my students from the first day so I can be flexible and try to reach each one with multi delivery.
It is important to utilize a variety of instructional methods in order to cover the several different learning sytles.
Miriam,
By currently being in both worlds you can being a perspective to your teaching that comes from your student experiences. I know the result is more targeted learning by your students and a higher level of engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Besides teaching, I am a student as well. I try to stay focused on lectures and normal tasks because I know how much work my professor puts into yet sometime I find myself wondering away. However, when we have a task out of our regular schedule, I can't help it but being more interested since the details, hours, what is asked from me is different. I just think it is about the same for my students. Everything is new until it is not anymore - spice it up for brand new excitement!
I find if you switch things up it keeps the students engaged, of course you have to make sure the students are learning from the differnt styles
Michael,
How do you do this with your students? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think offering a variety of instructional delivery methods keeps students more engaged. In my class, I have a lecture with a PowerPoint, then a note packet to fill in off the presentation. I will stop during the lecture and demonstrate certain techniques then have the students practice the techniques.
Some students cannot fully digest and comprehend the material when it is only presented in one way.
Vary styles is particulaly important in career college due to the various age groups of our student it is not uncommon to have 3 differant generation of students in one class all with deifferent learning styles
John,
This is such a good approach because it helps students to learn how to receive information through different venues just as they will when out in the workplace. Also, the variety helps to keep them engaged and forward focused.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also think that it is important to cater to the different types of learning in the assignments that are given. I always give my students short reading assignments, instructional videos, and hands-on lab assignments for each subject. I also give recommended assignments that might be from instructional videos, websites, or textbooks.
Yes, there are different types of learning and it seems crucial to make appropriate presentations and activities for each type. I always have a portion of every class meeting include lecture. My lecture presentations always include pictures and often audio or video examples along with text that match the context of the subject. After I present sections of the lecture I show the students how to manipulate the tools to accomplish the task that we are covering. When we reach good stopping points or key concepts I show them one more time and then have individuals come do the tasks. Then I break up my class into small groups and give them gear to do the tasks themselves with my guidance. The homework and lab assignments are all relevant to the topics that we covered in class meetings. My students seem to be learning more information at a faster pace than I ever did when I was studying.
students learn in a variety of ways and I try to reach all of them, I try to mix up my leactures to include visual, kenetic and audio learners equaly when possable.
Offering varied instructional delivery methods in classes is important because it keeps the student thinking and absorbing information in ways that make use of different learning styles and parts of their brains. Most students excel in one or two of the learning styles, but to make use out of all of the techniques not only meets the styles of all students in the class, but it also exposes students to think and digest materials in ways that may be less comfortable to them. Applying a variety of learning styles keeps all students on their feel during the learning process.
It is important to offer a variety of instructional deliveries in class, because not every student learns by hearing the lecture. Some student only learn by using what has been taught in a lecture.
Every student sitting in the classroom has different potential and learning styles. Delivering information in different methods I feel help keep the student paying attention; as well as helping all types of learners.
In class I always ask for short demonstration, or a short essay as an assignment to ensure my students has grasped what I was teaching. It may be time consuming, but at the end of the semester you may have very few to none students not making the grade. It is rewarding to the students as well as the instructors.
Francine,
Well done in terms of using one of the most powerful learning tools available--repetition. By varying the way you use repetition you are able to get the needed information stored in the brains of your students for later use. You are right the way to learn a skill is to practice it over and over.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have a variety of students who are adults. I know their learning styles are different so I mix up my lessons. I lecture for a while, I write on the board and having them match answers, I print out guided note sheets, we take practice tests on the computer,grade and use as test reviews. I demonstrate lesson and then have students practice in lab. This is where the fun and excitement takes place. I always tell them repetition,repetition and practicing the new skills needed at home will help them to achieve the goal of the lesson. You can not expect to really learn a skill unless you practice the goal.