It is important to provide varied approaches to all the learning styles so the information being presented is received and understood by the entire class, keeping them engaged and motivated to learn more.
So that your students can get the most out of the class. By that, I mean so that they can learn the most possible. Each student learns in a different way. If we can plan resources that compliment their learning style, we can help them learn and be successful.
Hi Robert, That is an excellent synopsis of the importance of teaching to the learning styles! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
As an instructor, if I do not accommodate the different learning styles, the students in my class will either become bored and disengage from the learning process or become frustrated and feel like they cannot learn the course material. In either case, I will have failed as their instructor to provide the education that they are at my school to receive.
All of your classes are going to have a mix of learning styles. While it nearly impossible to hit all learning styles at the same time, by mixing several types of activities in each class period, you can usually get through to the majority of your students.
Hi Harrison, Thanks for your post to the forum. Great idea to pair students in that manner! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
One approach that I use that compliments the learning styles of my students is to incorporate group discussions and projects into the classroom setting. I usually find this works best when I rotate the groups each time to give them the opportunity to work with everyone. This way, each individual is able to contribute based on their particular learning style. They can also learn from their fellow students how to utilize other styles that they might otherwise be uncomfortable with.
It's important that we try to do an assessment and design our instruction to accommodate the different styles. We have work boards in all our rooms. Sometimes I have students that do great on the wiring boards but crash a written exam and vise versa so I pair up the two different learners to practice for either written or practical exams to help each other.
Every student learn differently, my job as an instructor is to deliver the lesson in the manner of how my student will take in the information.
Hi Karen, Thanks for an excellent post to the forum! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Often we try to fit the square peg in the round hole, this is what we do when we do not evaluate the different learning styles and try to divert some of our instruction to those styles.
It is important to provide approaches and resources that complement the learning styles of our students because we want them to be successful in our program and in the field (and, we are always concerned about retention as a factor in their success). If they become discouraged based on lack of performance, they will leave the program defeated. The use of a combination of learning styles in the classroom and laboratory allows me to reach as many learning styles as possible. In turn, this assists as many learners as possible in being successful. Each learner will utilize their preferred method of learning and will also be challenged by methods that they do not predominately use. It is important to assist the student with their preferred learning style, but also expose them to other learning styles as their employer is not going to ask them about their preferred learning style. Hopefully, by the end of their training they will have an understanding of what works for them and what does not, and be able to adjust in pertinent circumstances.
Hi Jamey, Thanks for your post to the forum. You can include videos and graphics in your lessons and also have students make presentations as part of their assignments. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I feel that much of what we do as teachers is help unlock the potential of the students in front of us. Walking into the classroom prepared to teach to the differnt styles allows me not only more effectivel teach the material but it also helps boost the students self esteem because the learning is not a struggle. The challenge then becomes strengthening the learning style that serves their vocation. My greatest concern is how to strengthen the auditory and visual skills for the student who learns best from the written word - any thoughys?
If you do not then part or all of the class will be left out and will not get the education the need and deserve.
This is important to maximize each individaul student's learning. If the student has an opportunity to learn through their preferred learning style, then they will best be able not only to receive the information, but absorb, interpret and success learn the information.
Hi Zoe, Thanks for your post to the forum. Definitely, students benefit when we vary our delivery to address the learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
It is important to provide approaches and resources that complement the learning styles of my students to help them get the most out of their education... When you can adapt to any students learning style you can reach them on a open willing to learn mind set...
Every student has different learning styles as we know. Catering to these differences will benefit the entire class and create greater overall retention.
Hi Sonya, Thanks for your post to the forum. Isn't it amazing how creative our students can be with Power Point? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
