To be an effective instructor, knowing how the student learns the best will foster more learning and more interest.
If a class is taught without acknowledgement of a student's learning style, then there is a risk failure in the course.
Hi Chris, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your submission summarizes the need to address learning styles very well! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
As faculty we tend to be really passionate about our own discipline. In fact, based on our teaching style, we become subject matter experts (SME)and lose sight of how much material really is conveyed to and absorbed by our students. The learning styles of each of our students is critical to the process of learning. The world has and is changing constantly, so the instructional delivery has to match the learning styles of the students. Instructors need to be "multifaceted" and able to teach across the spectrum of all types of learning styles. The benefit of knowing the learning style per each student 1.) makes teaching more rewarding, 2.)communicates the message, and 3.)ensures the future of our discipline.
Hi Angela, In working with our instructors, I find that the positive benefit for teachers is that it keeps us interested and fresh. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
It is my understanding that learning style theory has been largely discounted in recent years. I still try very hard to present content drawing on as many senses as possible, though, since it does add considerable variety and is more engaging for everyone.
As part of every new Career class I teach, I have my students fill out a learning style assessment. This not only helps me to know how each student needs material presented but also aids each student in learning how to study. Too many times I have seen students fail beacuse they didnt how they absorbed information the best. Its always nice to see my students understand what is being taught because they finally know how to. It makes me a better teacher when i am able to diversify my methods.
We all learn differently as everyone has his or her learning style. As an facilitator in a course, knowing the different learning styles of our students will help us plan the learning strategies that will help our students learn more effectively. The end goal of each course is to maximize learning outcomes. With the proper learning strategies and delivery methods that address the learning styles of the students, students will have a better chance to be successful in the class and to stay engaged with the learning activities.
Knowing the learning styles of students allows you to be a more effective instructor. It forces you to be more creative, it forces you to incorporate a variety of teaching styles and methods, which allows all of your students to be engaged
Knowing the different learning styles of your students will help you because you will be able to teach them according to how they learn. Every student does not learn at the same pace. Each student has a different way of learning, some are visual or auditory learners.
Some students have a problem grasping the information. Usually it happens because of their learning styles. Knowing them will benefit both instructor and the students with better communication
Hi Vincent, Thanks for sharing an important point! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Rich, Since students generally have a preferred learning style ( the way they learn best), we can try to vary our instruction so that we can reach all of the learning styles. Frankly, it also helps us to keep our instruction fresh and this is a personal benefit. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Jamie, Thanks for your post to the forum. You are using a good mix of delivery formats! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Even though I know the learning style that mostly benefits my student. I must be aware that they must learn to use the other styles as all styles will be neccessary once they begin a career. This will help them become more rounded as a student and employee by being able to learn in whichever manner the employer chooses to educate their employee.
What are the instructional benefits of knowing the learning styles of your students? How can this knowledge be used to help you be a more effective instructor?
Its always a good idea to teach in many different ways to accomodate all students and their learning styles. I think that lecture is boring in itself, so I like to demonstrate as well. Powerpoint, lecture and hands on works for me. I break it up, it makes the class go by quickly too.
Knowing the learning style my students enables me to be better able to engage all my students and make learning more meaningful to them. I will be more effective knowing the students learning style because students will be more successful learning a concept taught if it is delivered in a method that targets their learning preference. They will be more interested in the topic and absorb it better.
Knowing the learning styles of students will allow the instructor to plan day to day lessons. With this information, the instructor will be able to incorporate all students and keep them interested and alert in class. Students will want to come to school everyday. This improves student satisfaction and retention.
Hi Tom, Thanks for sharing a very well written summary of why teaching to the learning styles is so important!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Emily, Thanks for your post to the forum. Although teaching to all the learning styles does take more effort upfront, the results are well worth the effort! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
