Each student has a personal history in learning. His or her background experiences set the stage for future learning (especially as an adult). To access the individual's personal learning style preference is to access his or her comfort zone in learning. This could act to help release a student's potential to learn, and could result in greater motivation, as well.
Everyone learns in a different way. I myself like a hands-on approach. If we cater to just one style, our remaining students are at risk in the learning process. As Instructors we need to engage all of our students.
Hi Susan,
For sooo many reasons! But mostly because as an instructor I want them to learn as much as possible and to actually be as engaged as possible.
Thank you!
Conchi
In order to facilitate retention of the materials being discussed; especially for low to average student learners, I think it is just as important that students recognize their own style first. Providing appropriate materials and strategies and opportunities for multi-style group work, ensures that all styles are met and nurtured during each class session. Without this, the higher achievers will have an advantage and all others will be left behind.
Because making them feel good as a student is what we want. students all receive information in a different way and helping them along in a way to make them critically think wheather visual, audiotory, tactile thats what we want.
The better way to teach is to know your target learners. So my approach have been to teach for the ones with most problems and the rest will be assign to help out, like tutoring within the classroom.
It is important that my students stay motivated and engaged , I use pictures and power points .
Instructors have the inherent responsibility to provide students many opportunities to be successful (i.e. learn the content material). By knowing the different learning styles and adapting teaching to incorporate strategies that address them, all students are afforded the opportunity to learn.
It is important because different students learn with different styles.You must compliment your style to match your class.
It is our responsibility as instructors to provide our students with as much information on whatever subject being taught as possible. They are paying for that information and if we aren't able to get it from our head into theirs, we are not doing our jobs effectively and the students will ultimately suffer.
H Sharon, I agree that combining delivery modalities is the best strategy. Students do need to learn to adapt to other styles as they will need to do so in the workplace.
Susan Polick
I was wondering about student preferences pertaining to their actual learning style. Does a “preference†necessarily indicate the best or most effective modality for that student? For an example, a student may enjoy watching videos on a topic but does he/she really effectively learn from them? People tend to gravitate to the path of least resistance, opting for or searching for “an easy way out.†Thinking about this makes a great case for utilizing a good blend of modalities when planning activities and assignments.
Quality education is not a one way street. We have to do more than just present information if we want the most from our students. It only makes sense to consider how that information is being received when planning to present it.
Hi John Thanks for a very insightful post to the forum! Yes, there continues to be controversy about learning styles but having taught for 30+ years, I believe we need to consider them as we plan our lessons. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Since each student is different in their learning style, I like to suggest different ways of learning pertinent material. Giving options on different methods helps students to decide how they will learn material. It also gives alternatives if they are not successful with a particular method. So, rather than give up, they have another way to approach material.
Most of the time, I am quite definite in which position I prefer about any intellectual issue. The 'learning styles' issue is, however, somewhat different.
First off, a bit of Googling should show that the very concept of 'learning styles' is under some critical review. Like a lot of positions taken in education training, one is never confident that they are actually based on any sort of reality, as opposed to 'professional theory'. If 'learning styles' really are irrelevant or unsupported by the most recent research, then the issue of "why bother with them?" certainly needs some consideration.
I consider something more important than this -- which is the necessary assumption that faculty should always /cater/ to learning styles, on the assumption that the concept really is valid. I am reminded of that wonderful line in the movie _The Paper Chase_ when the professor sticks out his hand and says: "Son, here is a dime -- go find a payphone, and tell your mother you will never be a lawyer" -- or in other words, some people are simply not good fits for some career choices.
Certainly in the IT field, there are a number of professional positions where nothing less than the ability to read quickly, comprehensively, and decisively will do -- it is there that linear thinking is the order of the day. So if someone's learning style is not attunded to this, it does not mean that the professor is doing a bad job -- it means the student very may be unsuitable for that professional field.
There is a wider issue, adumbrated by such people as John Lukacs, about the whole ability to read books and achieve imaginative understanding, which while both important and relevant, I will just have to pass by for the nonce. But it is worth reading, marking, learning, and inwardly digesting!
To make sure every student in your class has a chance to learn the material in way that is best for them. It's our duty as instructors to deliver the content in all four major learning styles.
Hi Charles, Thank you for a really valuable post to this forum! Your advice should be taken by all faculty and administrators! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Get the students involved. Offer service and learning experiences outside of the classroom, such as community based programs and required community service hours during that freshman year. Offer a college survival skills class that assesses and builds learning styles, and professors need to be trained on meeting different modalities so that the diverse learning styles can be met in the classrooms as well. Create centers where student interactions and mentor programs exist.
With the many different types of nontraditional students attending college today, colleges can no longer offer courses that only teach to the traditional student. There needs to be variety in activities and continuous interactions between students, between student and professor, and between students and the college experience. This interaction and active learning is what will help all students meet the expected outcomes.
Hi Tanya, That's a very good point! The old lecture only format just does not work anymore. We need to engage our students in their learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
