Honesty With Yourself
I believe that in order to teach objectively to all students, you have to be honest with yourself about your own learning style first. As humans we will usually seek out the easiest method of doing something. If we don't learn and understand what our own style of learning is, then we will usually only teach in that style to the students. By learning the different styles, and our own, then we can re-adjust the way we present the information to all students. So that more will comprehend the information at hand.
I try to plan my lectures and demonstrations as if I am learning the material for the first time myself. I 'become' my own student, and that helps me to edit out information that is superfluous or boring. I combine PowerPoints with doing illustrations on the blackboard and with previous student examples of an assignment, and discussion questions about material in the PowerPoints, in order to have a multi-media approach to the topic. This way I know that I can reach a number of students as opposed to those who are purely auditory or purely visual in their learning styles. I try to be completely honest as to whether my lecture/demonstration is a learning experience or a rote repetition of something I already know. Students can be very per-ceptive -- they seem to have 'radar' as to whether your material is fresh or whether is is stale.
That's true, Susan. I think we have to put ourselves in their shoes or just remember when we, ourselves, were also students. I remember one of the teachers in college was like a zombie when doing some lectures. She didn't have any excitement at all when teaching, probably because she's been teaching for a long time and did not pursue any effort to change teacing styles to adjust to the learning styles of the students.
I completely agree with you, Wayne. Experience taught me that there will be more than one learning styles in one class; therefore, you have to know which one you possess and then try to further your knowledge on the other styles so you can successfully deliver the course content. In this manner, not only your students will absorb the knowledge you impart, but also, you will receive a lot of respect because they know that you are a credible teacher.
Once familiar with subject matter it seems to be even more essential to discover new ways to present it. Moving out of our comfort zone of learning style and forcing ourselves to utilize other styles will keep us honest about what we're supposed to be doing; creating an environment where students can learn. We're not supposed to be just presenting material. Thanks for the great thought.
by be honesty with yourself, you can see yourlimits and from there, you can prepare yourself to be more efficient as a teacher
I would have to agree with you on this. Humans do choose the path of least resistance in most cases. I have already caught myself teaching more in my own learning style probably more than I should. The class is more than not always a diverse learning style group, in which the instructor must teach to all four learning styles. If not, the instructor will not connect to some students and will be in turn letting the students down.
I agree with Michael, it is much easier to teach your own learning style because that id the way you learn. You must as an educator learn how to hit all the learning styles and that is hard to do sometimes so an sugestion on catering to all learn styles I would love tp read about that.
I agree. We teach the way "we" learn. I am very kinestic with a touch of visual. I notice that I might tend to overdo the examples, handouts, PowerPoints, and practice problems.
Great Response!!! I completely agree.
Often, especially when an instructor has taught the same class for a long time, he/she get caught in a rut and the excitement of their instruction is noticeably missing. We need to add new content and delivery to keep it fresh.
Students sense when teachers teach to the one learning style versus them all and begin to doubt the credibility of the course. More intellectual students expect to be challenged and if the instructor in catering to just one style it creates concerns.
Yes, it is important to know your limitations and to improve on them.
A very thoughtful response Michael!
