Reaching all the students
When I think back to my education, one class sticks out. In high school I had a teacher who by default made me realize all about the different learning styles that we have. When he would teach it was in such a unique way that all other students teased him but there was a method behind the madness. During each class period we had a video, a lecture, readings, and some other method thrown in for good measure. Though the kids made fun of him, I know that they all learned something from him too. Throughout my teaching, I have remembered this one class. I make it a point to teach in as many styles as I can to reach all students one way or other. I am very glad to read the "teaching to learning styles" because it is a great reminder to all of us on how we teach and those students we may lose along the way with no fault to their own. In my classes I try to not only touch on those styles but bring it full circle to address why it is important and bring that personal experience in so that the students can also relate. The students make me a better teacher!
That's a great example, and using the different avenues of communication with the students really does increase the percentage of students reached.
Hi Brandi,
What has been your biggest "aha" moment as a new instructor? Also, what has been your biggest challenge?
Gary
This is such a help to me as a new instructor. I have also learned and still learning how to reach my students to keep their interest in class and in the field and subject in which I am teaching daily.
I would rather be laughed at by my students for the "madness" but hit each learning style, then miss a few of the students.
Hi Bob,
You have created for your students a supportive environment where they can learn, grow and move toward their career goals. Throughout all of this development they know you are there to lend support when needed. This is so important for those individuals that are on the bubble in terms of whether they continue to stay in school or not. Keep up the good work. You are making a real impact.
Gary
Federal law requires that we teach according to how our students learn. They are not required to learn by how we teach. But beyond that we have an obligation as professionals to know how our students learn and accommodate it. I observe, question, pretest, and anything else I can do in games on day 1 to see how my students learn and then adjust my classes accordingly. When I must lecture I apologize to those that hate it and help them with notes and outlines. When I must do demonstrations or can do games for learning I apologize to those that love total order and control and help them by making sure we summarize and let them carry the generalizations of the activities. I also make sure my students make sure they know why I vary a lot and that their learning is paramount to me. I always enocurage talking to me about any disabiltiy, previous I.E.P. or 504 documents, mental health issues affecting learning, etc. I thoroughly believe that they won't care what I know until they know I care. I then have to demonstrate it with concern, private talks, calling them when absent, positive notes on every returned assignment, and emphasis on learning not regurgitation. I aim for happy environments where tough studying isn't so miserable.
Hi Jessica,
You are doing a real service for your students by "spreading" the instruction out so that the different learning styles are hit upon sometime during the class session. It is good that you had a teacher that was able to show some examples of how this can be and that you can build upon in your own classroom.
Gary
