I incorporate all of the learning styles into teaching. This way everyone is involved and learning.
I like to give as many examples as possible to drive the point that I am making home.
One of the activities of the class on the first day is to have the students take an inventory of learning stlyes. I review the overall results and gear the course presentations to accomodate the majority of learning styles that are demonstrated in the inventory. I do not forget the other students. I also provide segments during a class to meet their learning style needs.
Tracy,
You have a very balanced and comprehensive approach to your instructional planning. You are appealing to all of the learning preferences of your students with this approach and this will result in higher retention of student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Different learning styles are going to be a factor for every class being taught. To become a better teacher I must adapt my presentation of course material to reach as many of those learning styles as I can. I will choose delivery methods that best reach all four main styles. Basic lecture will be best for the auditory learner, reading assignments related to the lecture will help reinforce the information for those who prefer to learn through the written word.
Hands-on demonstration will engage the visual learners and actual production of the materials by the students will make that kinetic connection needed for the tactile learner.
Diana,
Good observation. Yes, they do appreciate your preparation efforts in helping them learning the content needed as well as helping them to make applications in their career area. The more we can do this the easier the transition will be for our students from the classroom/lab to the work world.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Kenisha,
Students like change of pace and variety and you are offering both through your approach. They are being given the foundational information and then applying it. This is what sequential and relevant learning should be about. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Engaging students and keeping them engaged through the use of multiple teaching strategies sets them up for success and dispells behavior problems and bad attitudes. I have noticed that students appreciate when you vary your teaching methods because they see it as "you are trying harder to help them all learn."
Because I teach Cosmetology, it isn't as difficult to accommodate learner preferences. The course is very diverse in how it's delivered. The first half is mainly theory/lecture, but we have many visual aid and audio resources. The second half is mainly hands on. I enjoy being an educator in a field that offers so much diversity!
Joseph,
I call this "connecting the dots" for students. Once they see that what you are teaching them can be used outside of the classroom and in many different situations then they start to the value of being in school and why they are being taught the content they are.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I show them how to conduct the particular procedure along with an explanation of how it applies in a real world situation. The examples are endless once they realize how the procedure is to be done. Additionally, they share real world situations that they have determined the procedure will apply to.
Dyana,
This is what makes the syllabus of value to the students and you. The syllabus outlines the course requirements, policies and expectations. Once the students know all of these then they can work toward completing them while using the syllabus as a guide.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
the syllabus is always a great guide for the content covered in class. The lectures should pertain to the syllabus timeline. Staying on track implements relevance to what the students should be learning.
I generally strive to use as many methods as possible in a classroom setting to accommodate all learning styles. I think questionnaires/ inventories would be quite useful for the students so they could each identify their own learning style and seek methods that support those preferences, especially when they are struggling. I'm hoping such resources are easily accessible.
Colette,
I think this is a great way to learn more about your students. Through the pretest you can get a baseline on them and then the learning style assessment helps you to know how to plan your instructional delivery and activities. This sets the stage for a customized course each time you teach it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
No matter what subject I am teaching, I try to give my students a learning styles quiz immediately after their pretest. This allows them to understand their own learning style and become a little sensitive to others and their learning styles. This also helps me with tailoring my instructional style to meet the needs of my students in each class. I lecture from the front and the back of the classroom at different times. I utilize PowerPoint, colorful markers on the boards, video and group activities.
LeWando,
You have a good flow and change of pace in your instructional delivery. These methods keep the students engaged and moving forward in their learning. Keep up this most effective approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an accounting instructor, I lecture 15 to 20 minutes with power point slides, assign a textbook exercise to cover in class, I have incorporated the accounting computer lab, the class completes most lab exercises in teams. Each individual has an area of instruction that is more engaging than the other. In every class I dedicate one on one time, not necessarily with every student. As I learn the students learning style, I can best determine if the student needs one on one during a textbook exercise versus a lab exercise, or if I need to cover power point slides in more detail.
Joshua,
Great to hear of your expansion of your delivery expertise. This is what professional development should be about. Keep up the good work and enjoy the response of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jeremy,
Talking with colleagues is a good way to learn about how you can relate to and get started with your incoming students. Then it is a building process between you and the students for the remainder of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
