Hi Keegan,
I like the way you bring real life into the classroom through the examples you are giving. This way the students can see the connection between what they are studying and how their newly acquired knowledge can be applied.
Gary
conduct a learning needs assessment at the beginning of the course and adjust content delivery accordingly
To accomodate different learning styles of students I plan to vary the way I lecture and demonstrate techniques.
I not only show the students by doing a technique myself, i also show them websites, photos and video clips of others dong the technique. I also allow students to follow along with me as I am demonstrating so that they can get a feel for it themselves.
The first thing I do is ask students if and where they may have seen examples of our subject in their lives at any point in time. Usually I will have a few who have and a few who haven't. I then go on to give examples of where I have either worked in the real world with the skill I am teaching AND/OR show examples in the media (print, websites, television or movies) where this skill can be observed.
Showing this helps not only to make the content relevant but also to give them creative ideas on where and how to apply their new skill once learned.
I try to link the content of the course with a cases and real situationts where this content may be used.
Hi Chad,
There are a number of learning preference assessments you can use with your students. A search online will give you a number of sources of sites that you can look at to select an assessment that will work with your students.
Gary
I really observe the students. It seems that lectures bore a lot of them, so I tell them that they are required to know what's in the text. However, we're going to use class time to focus on real-life examples. Things they can use or may be subject to in the business world. They really seem to appreciate sharing their own experiences.
Most students would agree that they can work some problems better with a calculator. But using a calculator is not better or worse than working a problem by hand, it's just different. The issue of using calculators in the classroom does not have to do with whether they are better or worse than hand manipulation. I believe that using calculators in the classroom is a way of teaching concepts to students who have different learning styles.
I am a computer geek, so I almost always build my lesson plan with a Powerpoint presentation. I try to create a lesson that interests me, first and foremost. If the lesson engages me as the instructor, it seems to have a better chance of reaching the students. On the flip side, if I'm not interested then my students will certainly not be...
I would be very interested in some feedback as to how other instructors determine learning styles of students. What exercises, games, activities do you use?
Hey Lyle,
I'm teaching foundations of math, and I've also found that students work through some of the problems better with a calculator
In my last teaching position, I used a variety of classroom practices, whether intentionally to meet varied learning styles or not, and whether in even balance or in lopsided consistency. This included more than one of the learning styles noted in this lesson, which seem to follow the VARK model. I would have students do hands-on work with area, etc., around the classroom (tactile) as well as class discussion and lecture (auditory).
In my math classes I have been implementing the use of techology every day. I was fortunate enough to be provided with a classroom set of TI-89 Titanium graphing calculators. So, when I present new concepts in my classes I teach the 'manual labor' first and then I teach the calculator. Students are able to see how and why a concept works and then they learn how to use a tool that can help make them
be more mathematically efficient.
Hi Joshua,
By offering a variety of different delivers you not only help the students to remain engaged you also get to bring your creativity to the classroom. This helps to keep you focused and excited about the course as well.
Gary
Understanding and catering to the different types of learners is essential in any classroom setting. Don't just have one way to teach. Have many.
Before each term I revisit the material to be covered, as well as through the terms I stay "on top" of the frequent changes in the field. I make sure to incoperate the "new" information that the students will be faced with in a clinical setting.
Hi Scott,
Good to hear that you had a positive first experience. Like anything the more experience you have the better you will get and the easier the process becomes. Keep up the good work.
Gary
i my teaching career i have use one page assessment sheet where students answer some questions on how they learn and that determines there learning styles and they can utilize that for their own learning and also i get the idea on what percentage of the class is what learning styles.
I use videos, personal experience examples and the internet in my classes. I teach in a criminal justice so extra resourses are always available. It's a great way to apply the text book material to real life.
Since I just gave my first presentation this week what I tried to do is break up the class between lecture, power point, and hands on activity, which seem to wok well.
Hi Wayne,
I like your last sentence concerning the bringing of theory and text together for learning. This is what the students need to see because that way they realize that what you are covering with them is of value and has application to their careers.
Gary
