In one class I usually have a students who learn best through all the learning styles. Rather than gearing my instruction towards my learning style or the learning styles of a few, I prepare the course work and instruction for each class using methods geared towards all learning styles. Also, helpful in delivering the material is reviewing the class info "hot Topics" at the end of class so everyone has a clear understanding of the critical points of instruction.
HI Helen- Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, we must always be aware "the line" between being a mentor/teacher and being a "buddie". Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
If you know how your students learn best then you can use that info to ensure they stay interested in the course. Nothing frustrates a student more than studying and not doing well on a test. If this can be avoided by catering to the way a student learns best then they will see and feel that progress is being made.
By knowing the learning styles of your students, you make it easier for the students to understanding and potentially use the material. Also, you as an instructor will not only be more an effective instructor, but will make sure that there is a real person to person interrelationship with your students. This will give more confidence in relating to your current and future students.
This is a good idea. I really enjoy getting to know my students, but I also have that concern about the possibility of crossing the line into fraternizing. The students always seem to really enjoy discussing anything that is on their mind.
It allows you to gear your course delivery method to the students, allowing for a better understanding of the material by the students.
I am a new instructor and tend to teach in my own learning style, which is auditory. My students have expressed different styles they have and I have tried to adjust my delivery to help them process the new information. I plan on doing a learning style assessment to further reach the students needs.
Hi Todd- Thanks for your post to the forum. Absolutely! - adjusting our delivery to the learning styles of our students greatly improves their learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
If you dont know the style of your students you cant propery teach these students.
Hi Curtis- that is exactly why varying our delivery is important! Best wishes - Susan
By knowing the different instructional styles of my students I can tailor my presentations to meet the majority of their prefered learning style. I can not rely soley on that method however as I am responsible for all of the students. Instead I have to provide some other forms for the other students and to keep the instruction fresh.
Hi Jennifer - Thanks for your post to the forum. By teaching as you describe, your delivery is addressing all the learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Hikmat - I think I know what you are saying - too often we are forced into techniques, assessments etc. that we may not agree with or be comfortable with. As you mention, the bottom line to good teaching is the instructor. However, to BE a good instructor we must be prepared to vary our delivery to meet the learning styles of our students. Susan
Hi Gary - Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, that one student is probably kinesthetic and miserable in a static classroom! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Bruce- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are doing a great job of teaching to the diverse learning styles. I try to add some variety in each class, especially in the long evening classes, just to keep everyone awake and participating! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I just started a new class and the largest group I have ever intructed. I started the class with introductions, so I can ascertain their backgrounds and educational history. There are two college graduates and a very diverse group. I already use a vareity of delivery techniques and anxious to see which ones will do best. Today, they kept up with the auditory lecture with little visual aids. Tomorrow I will use written, but the kenesthethic experience will come next week. By the way, I teach hospitality management at a culinary school so the students are used to a more kenesthethic style
Knowing the learning styles of your students can help to understand why that one student out of 16 can't sit still or listen like the other students.
As always the case, we are told by managers what to consider. Dissecting learning styles into bins and
boxes misses the point.
learning for any human takes place as a resultant of all the actions taken by a teacher and cannot be separated by audio,video,performing.
I think it is critical to teach to all the students in the class. By knowing & using the different styles you are helping all the students to learn. I try to do a combo of lectures, ppt/written notes, reading & hand-on activities.
