I try to incorporate all learning styles into my lectures.
Since I am teaching both technical (software) programs and graphic design programs I have to accommodate all.
I utilize the dry erase board to emphasize certain key points as well as visually recreate them in exercise form with written handout as well whenever possible.
If there is a learning style FREE test available on-line or other I would be interested in utilizing in my class.
Understanding learning styles helps me be less linear in my instruction and assume my favorite style to teach in is the best. It becomes interesting and fun to ponder new ways to present my class material. I learn a great deal in the process as well.
I like the idea of a Jeopardy game to involve students in groups participation and will investigate this in my classroom content.
Especially knowledge of shortcuts and their meaning or typography and typeface identity and classificatiion could be useful.
What is the best program to use for such a game?
Well done Eric!
I agree totally on the Learning Style options that all of us have to employ as instructors.
Some students however need more intensive instruction I have found and this may be related to background/heritage, and not wanting to ask questions in class for fear reasons I suspect.
I have had to work one-on-one with these students on several occasions to try to keep them up with rest of class.
Sometimes this is successful and others not depending on class size. Tutor option other than myself has been suggested but some programs (QuarkXPress) there are no tutors for.
Any suggestions welcome
I learned that students remember 25% of the mateirals by hearing; another 25% by seeing; the third 25% by writing down notes, and the last 25% by working on homework assignments. All together, students learn 100% of my materials when I explain the topics and write down the steps. After I told my students about these percentages, they copy down all my notes and go home do a lot of exercises to make sure they learn 100% out of my class.
Hi Fern- Welcome to ED 103! What a creative idea -I will pass it on to my Math instructors.
Hi Bill - welcome to ED 103! You are so right - especially since our students are so immersed in technology, to reach them we must also work to keep up with them.
The instructional benefits of knowing the learning styles of my students helps me cater my teaching to them. For example, providing visual components in the class aids visual learners in understanding while lecturing/writing on the board helps to stimulate auditory and writing styles.
In technology we need to constantly be aware of the what is new happening in the worild each day taht effects both us as inssructors and the studnets who need to learn to maintain the thing we call the cutting edge in support of the world of technology
So what I am constently faced is to
Adapt
Improvise
Overcome
to keep our learning perspective on the edge with the technology
We can never lay back and just maintain hte past
I wanted to share to the group what I did in my developmental math class. We were on fractions and I know most of the students love music. I showed how fractions are used in music measures. For example, you see 2/4 in the beginning of a measure, which means there are 2 beats to a measure which is the numerator and each quarter note gets 1 beat which is the denominator. They enjoyed this example.
It's really amazing; I taught high school for a number of years and thought that learning styles only pertained to younger students. Adults have different ways that they process information and by knowing this, we can be more effective educators. Sure it takes a little more planning and creativity to come up with lessons to reach all types of learners, but it's part of the job.
knowing the learnjng styles of the students in the class the instructor can use a mixture of delivery methods to reach each student more effectivly
Good point Josh.
I haven't really given feedback a thought in this instance...our school has a way students address us at the end of each term to benefit our teaching methods.
I had gauged the success of the lecture/presentations by the the success of the students on their assignments and tests.
Thanks, I guess it's true—there's always something to learn.
Erik
Hi Erik,
I like the methods you use to reach all learning styles the only thing I would add is feedback. I would like to get from all students the amount of learning they received, using whatever method was theirs. When it comes to reteaching the same point, I would use another method.
josh
Hi Erik- You gave some excellent illustrations of how to address the different styles - well done!
By reaching out to our students through their various learning styles we can expect more learning to take place.
For example: An instructor who lectures at the front of the class and nothing more will reach the Auditory learners. However, if that same instructor wrote detailed notes on the board while lecturing he would now reach those students who learn better from Written material as well. If that same instructor advised the class that they should copy his notes for their future use, for reference or research, he has engaged the Kinesthetic learners. And lastly, if that same instructor used color markers, or drawings to break up the notes into an easy to follow format, the Visual learners may be engaged as well (although a nice PowerPoint used in conjunction with the lecture would be more dynamic).
By engaging students through a variety of techniques simultaneously we are allowing for the assimilation of information to take place in a shorter amount of time.
We don't have to slow down or repeat the lecture because all of the learning techniques are being used. That's not to say we shouldn't try to focus on particular learning styles—quite the opposite. We should try to vary our lectures/presentations by utilizing the resources available to us. Since people learn in ways other than their primary style, we can be sure we are getting the majority of the information to the majority of the class at any given point in time.
This helps the instructor as well as the students, because as soon as the information is given and retained, the quicker that knowledge can be placed in to action (learning activities). Which will result in a higher degree of motivation on the students part.
Jo, I also include all learning styles in my classes. I lecture, with notes on the board, in addition students are asked questions to apply the concepts discussed to their lives and situations.
I do agree with you. Students need to experience all the learning styles at various times. Neuroscientists believe that doing things in ways you're not accustomed to helps you think better.
Enables instructor to assess time and techniques that will get course material best understood by student..Adding variety of information that encompasses visual and auditory information geared towards making assigned tasks more easily understood.
Maybe we could offer it as extra credit initially.
