Understanding the Learning Culture of the Group
I find it very important to quickly learn the learning culture of the group. In my experience, our school is small enough that we have small classes and the students are usually in the same classes together. As I get to know them, it is easier to learn how they learn.
On example of this is noise-level. Some classes do best when they are allowed to exhibit a certain energy level. It may be a quiet classroom or a more enthusiastic class. The key is to engage students with whatever culture works best for them, corporately and individually.
Mahmood,
Instructors need to be keen observers of their students so they can get to know their learning preferences just as you mention. This will enable you to more accurately target their learning needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Once you know the learning still of your students by observing them in first fee day, one can design his or her teaching methods accordingly.
Melissa,
This is a good point because if you do not understand or know about the characteristics of your students in each class then it will be easy to miss their unique learning needs. As you know every class is different and we need to be able to adjust to those differences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's very important to understand the needs of each class. It's obvious everyone learns differently and incorperating different teaching styles really helps reach out to each individual but still teaching the class as a whole.
James,
Yes, it does and this is why it is important to make sure the course objectives are clear and concise. They are they guides through which the students will operate as the course progresses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The learning culture in a classroom usually becomes apparent after explaining the course objectives.
William,
Each class is unique and we need to get to know that personality as quickly as possible. When students go through their program as a cohort then it is even more important because the group does not change with the new course but the instructor does. This can present a problem if the instructor doesn't read the group and learn about how it functions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
