If you know the learning style of your students you can tailor your curriculum to accommodate them. Most culinary students are kinetic learners so hands on work with demonstration is what we do most. We find that we can anticipate questions and problems with this style.
Hi Laura - Welcome to ED 103! You are obviously a very caring instructor and your students are blessed to have you! Utililizing the different delivery styles is so important when trying to reach students who are struggling. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Knowing the different learning styles of my students helps me to address certain issues that may come-up in class. For instance, I have some students that do extremly well with written exams, some barely make a passing grade. Those that do not do well typically find it difficult to study notes and written material to prepare for the exam. I, in turn always make myself available to the students if they want to go over material in an oratory fashion, often times including visual examples that correspond with that given material. It's very satisfying seeing those struggling students improve their written exam scores, thus gaining more confidence in themselves and their ability to accomplish something they never had previously been successful at.
What are the instructional benefits of knowing the learning styles of your students? How can this knowledge be used to help you be a more effective instructor?
First and foremost understanding that we all learn differently. Also, I need to be more creative in the classroom as I need to reach out to other learning styles besides my own. It will challenge me to not get into a rut and really review what I do every day.
It helps with the way you give test in class and how you present the information in class.
I often ask my student at the begining fo the term where they were before they started school. It helps me remember a students namse and lets the student know I'm interested in who they are as a person, win, win!
It helps for you to know what type of learner you student is. I help you as a teacher to set up your lectures to fit the needs of most every student.
Hi Anjali - Welcome to ED 103! Too often instructors have students share information about themselves at the start of class but then never use that info. You are doing a terrific job of reaching your students by demonstrating that you heard and remember what they related about themselves. Excellent! Best wishes - Susan
Hi Aaron - Welcome to ED 103! Good teachers never stop striving to be better, no matter how long they have been teaching. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career! Susan
Hi Andrea- Most of our students have come to us from high schools where the predominant teaching technique was lecture. Often we find that many of our students are kinesthetic or visual learners. They are thrilled when they thrive in that environment in our classrooms! Best wishes - Susan
The benefits are being able to hold the attention of students and communicating the important information Efficiently and Effectively.
Knowing the learning styles of the students in the classroom will help you to prepare to be the best teacher that you can be. You understand how they learn so you can figure out how to prepare claswork, assignments, tests, etc... It helps you to be the best you can be for your students.
Although I would agree to this form of instruction I believe it should be done at a point when the students know each somewhat other since being in front of your peers in such a way can be intimidating since there's no where to hide.
Showing the student that you have learned their learning style and how best to teach them is one the best oppurtunities in making a connection with your students. In culinary I often teach students who feel they are not very good acheivers academically. When I identify the ways they will be learning in class especially the demo aspect of class these students usually show a positive response to learning as demoing is not often a way for many instructors to get the information out. Cooking is a unique subject where demoing is actually the best way to teach.
The instructor could be more effective by knowing thre students individualy and as a class. Every class have there own personality.
Hi Anjali- Welcome to Ed 103! I am very impressed with the conection that you make with your students from Day 1! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I must admit that reaching all learning through their preferred style is challenging. My students lean heavily toward the kinesthetic/tactile learning style, while I am a written word and visual learner. Understanding the disconnect between me and my students has been important to the development of my courses. I try to incorporate games and movement into my lectures, so that the kinesthetic/tactile students can connect to the material in a visceral way. For example, in English, we play a number of games where students are required to fix an incorrect sentence and identify the rule that needed to be followed.
At first, I was overwhelmed by how challenging it can be to teach kinesthetic/tactile in English and Literature, but a fellow instructor told me that she tries to improve her courses one class session each term. Taking her approach to course development has removed much of the stress, and it will mean a minimum of eight improved days a year, which is a win for everyone.
In order to find points of engagement with each student, which begin to establish a classroom relationship and rapport, I ask students to introduce themselves on the first day of class (orientation day). I ask students to write down where they are from, their experiences and professional goals. As each student shares this information, I take note of their hobbies and interests, their work and educational experience, as well as their plans for the future. I may ask clarifying questions during lab time or break time. From this information, I am able to get an idea of how the student engages with their world and, thus, their learning style. This is my starting point...
Hi Robert - I will pass your ideas on to our Composition instructors who struggle with the CAD students! Best wishes - Susan
