Sean,
Students like variety and change of pace while learning and by using different deliveries you are providing them content in their learning preference areas.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everyone learns through a different method. By providing a variety of instructional delivery methods, students have a much greater chance of learning the material with minimal frustration.
Once a student feels frustrated, they will have a hard time learning and will just quit trying, which makes teaching them 100 times harder. Therefore, by using different methods, the instructor is actually making it less work and stress for themselves as well as the student.
Different students obtain their knowledge through several different learning formats. Varied delivery allows several instructional methods to be used accomidating as many learning formats as possible.
To put it simply, people learn differently. Some people learn by doing, others by watching, or by listening, etc.
Offering varied instruction allows learners of all types to understand the material or subject matter.
Mo,
I know I have had the professors that you mention. Made going to class tough. You make a good point about needing to bring variety to the instructional process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Freddie,
Two good comments on how to engage students. You have captured the essence of instructional planning and appeal.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sheila,
Students like change of pace and variety in instruction so you are right on with your approach. The more ways you can present the material the more appealing the learning process will be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Just think back to when we were in college. I remember having instructors that followed the same format every class. After a couple of classes things just got to repetitive even if it was a really interesting subject. Also just lecturing straight out of the book every single class was not very interesting either. I really like trying to change up the way in delivering the material to the students. I find it to almost be like a game for myself trying to come up with unique but still relevant ways to lecture the material.
It does multiple things. First off, it helps to keep the flow of the class fresh and interesting. Students can very quickly get bored with the same old delivery day after day. Secondly it helps to address the different learning styles of your students. The more different ways you can cover the material, the greater the chances that your students will really understand the material and retain it.
I believe the MORE kinds of instructual methods the Better!!! The use of multiple methods APPEAL to the senses of all types of learners(observing,seeing,hearing.on-hands etc.) ALso, creativity and innovation in the delivery of course -content helps students focus longer, retain info better, and enhances understanding and provides something for All learning styles of the students.
Joseph,
Variety of delivery and change of pace in the class are both ways to engage students. You are offering different learning activities to your students so they can use their own learning preferences to gain the content of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having a mixed bag of delivery methods is important for all the reasons mentioned here certainly, but for me it also provides an opportunity to dial in a closer rapport with students. Each time I change up the method I find the students more at ease and willing to open up and ask questions.
Graham,
Good strategy to follow. Change of pace and variety in delivery are two ways to keep students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Karen,
Very understandable. This is a tough challenge to meet because you have to cover the content yet keep the students engaged. Something I have done when teaching a course like this is to look at elementary teaching websites. I get a lot of creative ideas from them and then I translate those ideas into age and content activities I can use with my students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Each day in the kitchen I variey the instructional delivery as too keep intrest, as each day is a different subject and inturn the student need to see it as a different subject not just all "cooking".
I KNOW it is vital to vary instructional delivery and do readily in several courses, however I find this to be particularly challenging in courses that cover very detailed, voluninous material and concepts. Time seems to be the biggest enemy.
Francis,
Right you are and well said. Everyone benefits from varied instructional delivery including us the instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
N. Dianne,
Change of pace and instructional variety are two elements needed for learning success. Your comments reflect the importance of both if we are going to keep our students engaged for duration of our classes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Everyone learns differently. To reach the most students, varied delivery is important. This also keeps the class interesting so that students are actively paying attention.
Variety...the spice of life. Besides showing appreciation for learning styles, manipulatng the delivery affects tempo, attention span, ability to concentrate on content. Students appreciate the effort and will rise to the occaison.
