Accommodating Learner Preferences
How do you plan your instruction to accommodate the different learning preferences of your students?
I research prior to lecture
I give the students a series of clinical cases based on my personal experience, to be resolve during the class time, and i can notice this is much atractive to them than the lectures some times.
I try to incorporate all learning methods by utilizing videos, practical simulation, listening and writing. I'll demonstrate a procedure - using the old show one, do one, teach one method and if the group is small I'll have them demonstrate to each other. We develop a team-like atmosphere with positive and encouraging claps after successful demonstration. This lends toward developing a cohesive group - sharing in successes and failures together.
After thorough evaluation of the course I evaluate the relevant information that applies to that particular line of work from my experience in that particular field.
Hi Jennifer,
You are helping the students to "connect the dots" between course content and career application. The more you can do this the greater the retention of content is going to be.
Gary
Hi Kerry,
I commend you for your creative approach to making math come alive for students. Math is not the favorite subject of a lot of students so the more relevancy and application that can be made the better. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I try to relate lectures to what we do in our field. If the information doe not allow me to relate, then silly always keeps their attention.
As a teacher of mathematics, it is sometimes difficult to make math applicable to a student's everyday learning needs. Most students ask 'when will we ever use this in real life?' Some times the answer is never. However, I always explain that, although we are not trying to make them into mathematicians, we are attempting to make the into 'analytical thinkers.' To learn to look at problems and to analyze them to begin the solution process is what most of math is about. Using process to problem solve is important. Also, I try to find applications to what we do in class to what is happening in the news. For example, at election time I have students discuss the latest trends and polls. In class we discuss how random samplings are taken to make for a credible poll and how polls can be deceiving since they may not be as random as they should. Allowing for discussion and opinion makes the class lively and non-traditional.
Hi Evangeline,
Good approach because students really like to hear about what they are learning will be applied in the careers. These stories help to keep them motivated and engaged.
Gary
I try to make the course humanistic, by using some examples of what I have encountered on the job. I also am realistic as to what the students should expect on the job.
I share work related expriences as examples of how the course content that they are learning is applied in the field.I think that this is more practical way of may the subject more real for students.
Hi Larry,
Guest speakers make a great impact on students. They show the students the future they have waiting for them if they will put forth the effort. Your comments are right on in terms of how the guest speakers help to motivate students in a subject, algebra, that in many cases is feared by students.
Gary
I bring in guest speakers from the core course to add motivation for learning algebra. Real world applications in the field that the students are about to enter adds a great deal of weight to the necessity for the math.
Hi Nicole,
Can you expand on your comment about open communication as a way to instruct a student? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Hi Sherry,
Good way to involve the students in the learning process. Their being able to relate personal experiences helps to create a connection for them between the content and their current educational setting.
Gary
I believe that open communication is the best determinant of how to instruct a student.
I use the exact equipment that is used in the field and give them labs using the equipment.
Yes, thats what we all want as instructors- a win win situation. By determining the learning styles of each student the instructor can determine the best teaching approach.
Depending on the course I am teaching, I try to bring personal experience to the forefront and I then ask for student input with their experience. This usually allows information to be brought out that would be included in the lecture, therefore while lecturing, we touch base on the subject matter but allows the lecture to move on.
