Hi Sherrie,
This is value added teaching. You are helping your students to make a connection between what they are learning in class and how they can use the knowledge to make their own lives better. This is a connection that will pay dividends for years to come.
Gary
It is normal to have students with varying degrees of interest, ability, and learning style. The most common method in a Western classroom is lecture and assessment. However, many students have a difficult time paying attention to a verbal lecture. Some students do better if they can see the important information written, and others need to practice the information in hands on demonstration.
Usually a short 7 min. description of an outline I've prepare for students, an experiment or demonstration, and a short media presentation will engage students with the material. In a two to four hour class I rotate through the process and set up each section as if I were starting a new class. Break time makes for a great transition between topics.
It is important to vary the delivery of information to try and reach all learners at their level of comprehension. I'm a voracious reader and information junkie.I get my information from print, radio, internet,and TV. I try to know a little bit about everything regarding my topics, especially teaching A & P and medical terminology classes to adults.
They think they know about the human body and its functions because they are grown and raising families.But when I add a little extra medical trivia that is not in the book and provide a reference source to back it up, there eyes and minds open up and they want more. I always show a surgery video to support A & P topics so they can actually see the real thing as opposed to just a diagram in a book.
I try to bring the topic to life and hopefully, they will take it to heart (no pun intended)and take better care of themselves and their children.
It's good to offer different learning styles to make sure you reach every student in class. Every student is not going to learn the same and will not always tell you the best way they comprehend.
Students get bored easily, so one needs to change it up to keep their attention and keep them awake and focused in the class. Students also have different learning styles. So one needs to change it up to make sure one reaches each student.
There are many different learning styles in the classroom. Not just one method works for all students which it is vital for us to vary our instructional delivery.
Hi Gina,
It doesn't sound silly at all or at least not to me. I use the same game and my students really enjoy playing it. They like the competition plus the easy way they get to review the course content. Good learning experience for everyone.
Gary
I know it may sound silly, but I like to use trivia games as a review. I have my class break up into groups and give each group a dry erase board. I then ask a review question and the see which team is the quickest to write the correct answer on their board. This method has really improved my students tests scores, they get to hear the question, write the answer then see it written down. It is a fun way to meet the auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learners needs.
Hi Gina,
Right you are. What are some of the most effective ways you use to reach students through their different learning preferences? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Hi William,
Right you are. Student like routine but they also like variety. So instructors need to offer routine in terms of organization but variety in terms of delivery. This way as you mentioned the different learning preferences will be targeted and each student can feel comfortable working in his or her preference area at different times throughout the course.
Gary
A variety of instructional delivery keeps the class interesting and the students attention. Trying different methods is the best way to see what works for you and your students.
Hi Michael,
I teach 6 hour evening courses that are theory in content. What I do is to move the students around, meaning we do small groups, team work, etc.. The process of moving from one part of the room to another is enough to get them refreshed and thinking about the next part of the course. So it doesn't have to be anything major just a "cognitive break" that lets their mind relax a bit and then reengage in the learning mode.
Gary
A varied instructional deliery helps to ensure that each learning style of the students is touched on the help facilitate the learning process. Students learn better in a style that they click with but the can still learn through some of the other styles as well. Plus, it helps to keep me more fresh. The variations help keep me more focused and out of a rut. The better the instructor performs, the better the learning process for the students.
In my teaching setting (night, 4-hour course, adult learner) it is tough to incorporate tactile approaches. Does anyone have a suggestion how an instructor would utilize this approach in what is generally not a hands-on type class.
It is important to offer variations in delivery in order to reach all of your students. Students have different learning styles. having instructional variety helps ensure that all of the students are able to relate to the material.
When teaching English grammar, I like to introduce the concept, talk about it, ask questions about it, go through repetitive exercises, draw charts on the board (if the info can be diagrammed well), and have students work together on tougher exercises.
In order to address all learning styles, I often offer a "learning styles self assessment" quiz to students to help them to understand their own personal learning style. This also helps me to tailor my delivery to reach each student in a way this will most benefit their needs.
I like the reasons many of you have used. I also vary my methods of instruction. It also helps keep students focused. We have two hour classes and sometimes the material is boring. Varied methodology makes it a bit more exciting.
I think what you'll find is that the younger your students are - ex. Gen x, vs Gen y.. the learning styles differ.
It is important that different instructional delivery are used in the classroom in order to accomodate the various learning styles of students. This however presents a bigger challenge to the instructor. First, the instructor must be adept in implementing the delivery method being used. Example, using role play as an intructional delivery, the instructor must be able to observe well and process the event that will lead and focus on what needs to be learned for that particular session. In other words, i mean that like in demonstration, implementing other instructional deivery must be practiced and practiced and practiced.
I agree! Every student is different. Every student have different situation in life...
