Learning Styles
This concept seems to parallel with how to accomodate both rapid and slow learners. The ultimate goal in both cases is to get the group across the "finish line" together at the same level of competence.
I always look for games that have to be used in chronological order that way they have to go through the process of elimination to find the right solution. Ill have my student place large construction paper on the wall and write out all the key steps to a procedure that they will encounter at some time or another in there career field. After they write the steps. I approach the board and discuss each step and give them a role playing example of what their choice would look like. I often find that once they see what it looks like they are excited to know they understand the process or they are excited to know that there understanding needs to change.
I completely agee. This will be a fun way to instruct and have the students absorb the info. Thank you so much
Hi Anthony, Thanks for your post to the forum. It is surprising how so many students have no idea of their learning style. The difference I have seen once this is understood can be amazing! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
First of all, it shows respect to your students that you are tailoring your instruction to each individual's needs. It sends the message that you care whether the student learns the material or not. Secondly, I feel it helps to build rapport with the students, in accommodating their individual learning styles. Also, since it does help the students to learn the material.
Knowing the learning styles of my students let me know, as an instructor, the individual learning preferences of my students. This knowledge allows me to select the best delivery methods for my course content to foster the highest level of knowledge acquisition by my students. With this knowledge, I will know how to vary my content delivery to tap into all my students learning styles.
Hi Eric, Thanks for your post to the forum. Having students "teach back" is an excellent technique! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
After giving a tutorial on how to use a new piece of equipment in my class, we go back and I have the class walk me through the process.
By understanding your students learning styles you can target your lesson plans to address those different styles. It also helps to learn what the majority learning style is in your class, so you can focus on the needs of the class.
The frist thing I do is tell my students that everyone has a different way of learning and I allow them to follow theirs.
Knowing their style helps the instructor prepare properly for each class session. If the instructor isn't aware of students' learning styles, their message isn't going to be understood by everyone in the course. If students aren't comprehending the material they will be less likely to attend class.
Hi Meg- Thanks for your post to the forum. At the college where I work, we actually have a faculty development class called "Burn the Podium"! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Unfortunately, I started out teaching like I had been taught - lecture. I soon learned that I had lost half the class. If you have a class of students who have the different learning styles, you can differentiate your assignments so that the students can show their mastery of the subject in their preferred style. On the other hand, I agree that students need to work in other learning styles to be successful.
Hi Tracey- Thanks for your post to the forum! As a not at all kinesthetically aligned learner, I thank you for your committment to add other content directed to diferent styles. (-; Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I'll reply to this in a personal sense. As a pretty heavily aligned kinethetic learner, I have a hard time setting still in class. I have to be moving, clicking my pen, rocking in my chair, anything to stimulate my brain, when I'm in a lecture setting. I also find myself paying more attention to not being annoying to those around me, than actually learning. As an instructor, I need to be keenly aware of learners that suffer because of lack of variety in my teaching styles. A varied style is key to making the most of the learning process for a classroom environment.
HI Mitchell - Thank you for your post to the forum that beautifully sums up why teaching to the learning styles is important! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
The instructional benefits are profound when you know the different learning styles of your students. It clearly makes a difference when addressing at-risk students with regard to an action plan. If the plan doesn't isn't conforming to the dominant style of the student, further intervention is likely.
When you are able to address your students through different and combined styles, success is dramatically improved.
Being able to know the learning style of my students allows my job to be performed to the best of its ability. As a chef instructor it is highly important to demonstrate all styles of teaching since there are a broad amount of students of diverse background, age, knowledge, and skill level. To show or demonstrate only one style would inhibit others from benefiting from what my courses have to offer, thus making me a not-so-good instructor.
HI Pierre- Welcome to ED 103! I totally agree- instructors who have the ability to connect with their students are usually most effective. Best wishes - Susan
Customizing our students' education by selecting the right delivery methods and approaches is as important as mastering the topic. To me it is on the same level as getting students trained by an instructor with a purpose and commun sense rather than a highly skilled instructor with no people skills. Knowing students come with an emotional connection.
