Instruction approaches for kinesthetic learners
What are some instructional approaches to use with kinesthetic learners?
Computer applications that require students to move items around on the screen can be effective for both visual and kinesthetic learners.
Hi Anthony, Thanks for your post to the forum. Combining "hands on" with lecture does certainly improve retention. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career
Susan Polick
Hi Ralph, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your use of "props" during lecture is a great way to keep students active and engaged! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I teach Air conditioning and Refrigeration, and its very important that the students get it right. I usually get students to repeat step one several times, part of a multi step project, asking them during this process of hands on, why? My sounding out loud audibly what they are doing they have just incorporated the hands on with the audible. This reinforces their learning and they are better able to retain the information. Better yet, the students that learn hands on, perform much better on written test through this approach.
My instructional approach to kinesthetic learners during lecture is to have some real world "props" or parts that they can take apart and reassemble while I am discussing the theory behind it. I do find that kiesthetic learners do their best in our lab setting where it is a small group with a dedicated instructor performing practical tasks that directly relate to that days lecture.
Hi Lee-Ellen, Thanks for your post to the forum. That is a good example of incorporating delivery to reach kinesthetic
learners! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
For many Surgical Technology students, hands on is so much more their learning style. When teaching A & P or pathology, I have surgical instruments and equipment with me so that I can demonstrate their uses during the lecture. I do not dwell on this but do allow the student to handle these things so that the information can be received optimally.
Hi Shaun, Thanks for your post to the forum. Great incorporation of critical thinking skills! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
i found a useful way is to give the students an explanation for what we are doing. Then demonstrate what we are doing and show them how the lecture tied into the hands on part and then let them do the project and i will ask them question about what they are doing and why
I have used small puzzles that relate to the subject at hand,or have a part disassembled and have the students assemble and identify the part.
I teach an electronics class. One of the tricks that I have learned over the years while lecturing is to pass around the product that we will be working on in the lab. This for me seems to bridge the gap from the Auditory and Visual learners to the Tactile learners while transitioning from lecture to lab.
I like to involve them in demonstrations on lecture/demo days. I will ask them to join me and have them practice what I am demonstrating.
Hi Judy, Thanks for your post to the forum. I think all students enjoy using "hands on" activities.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Being a science teacher, I definitely love incorporating the use of laboratory investigations to help my students learn about the scientific method and to learn about specific concepts. I know students don't necessarily like to have me as the center of attention so I try to put them at the focus by having them do things like labs, make models, or draw diagrams and discuss their interpretations of concepts.
Hi Karen, Thanks for your post to the forum. I am a visual learner but find that I also benefit from taking things apart. ( getting them back togethet is sometimes another issue!) Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
The subject matter will dictate the type of materials available to work with, but models are a great way to allow a student to manipulate and learn. I feel there is no better way to understand how something works than to take it apart. Then, put it back together!
I find that describing parts and pieces is easier when I have a cut away in hand versus a power point picture.
Hi Deb, Welcome to Education! I have been teaching for 30+ years and still love it! So great that you have small classes - that individual attention is wonderful. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I am a registered nurse and have been in management in long term care for many years. Being an instructor is a "new career" for me and I really enjoy it. The limited experience I have with kinesthetic learners has taught me to vary my style with that student. I am blessed to have small classes so if I have a student that is very different in their learning styles I can devote a little more time to them. One student found that making note cards helped as well as explaining processes to her family. As the student explained the processes she learned the correct steps and information.
