Finding effective delivery methods
As an instructor, our job is to find the most effective way to deliver material to our students. Some students have different learning styles. I work in a technology based classroom, so most of my students are tactile learned- they learn by doing. Some are more visual, others auditory. The key to being successful is finding the best route to effective learning.
Deb,
You are right in terms of different kinds of content requiring different types of delivery and activities. This is an important part of the instructional planning process for instructors. Variety and change of pace are two elements of instructional planning that need to be a part of how we share content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also believe students' learning preference can change according to the type of material being presented.
For instance, there are some subjects that simply must be learned via lecture. It is important to break up those lectures more frequently otherwise I would have a class of sleepers! I believe interjecting anecdotes is one way to liven up the discussion.
Other subjects seem to "teach themselves". If everybody is engaged, it makes it much easier to deliver the material and have the students retain it.
It is important to note which students are fumbling and offer alternative delivery methods.
Andrew,
I agree; I try to change it up consistently in regards to teaching via tactile as well as visual/auditory. This works best, in my opinion.
Alixe,
I think your comment on several lessons to get a read you your students is a good one. It does take some time with students to get to know them in terms of preferences and individual effort. As long as you continually observe your students and their learning and then make adjustments as needed you will be right on target.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel as though it may take several lessons to determine what students will respond to each type of learning. I work in a kitchen lab classroom - so the students should be used to being tactile! One won't learn how to make a three tier cake by just listening to me speak about it.
