Understanding the learning styles of my students will make me a more effective instructor and the students will benefit by retaining more information that is being taught to them. Knowing that I will most likely encounter a variety of styles of learners, I can effectively plan my presentations to accomodate the different students.
It is important to know how your students learn best. I try to facilitate learning by using four methods of presenting and reinforcing material. I provide the students with PowerPoint presentations, conduct short lectures, and have them complete hands-on assignments. I also have the students read case studies and chapter material. By using all four methods, I can effectively monitor what my students know.
I feel by using multiple forms of instruction, I am giving them a better opportunity to succeed. I use the activities and class discussions to monitor the students’ understanding of the material. I then go back and revisit material they did not understand. I also assign projects that reinforce what they learned.
Hi Barton - you definitely have it all going on- Bravo! Susan
When I'm conscious of different learning styles among my students, I often choose to teach a lesson using several modalities to transmit the most important information.
Today, for example, teaching a class on ethics in legal advertising, permissible and impermissible advertising was discussed orally in class, read about in the textbook, and displayed in example videos found on YouTube. I addressed three of the four primary learning styles. If I'd had time, I could have had the kinesthetic learners create a poster or play act a television ad. Mixing teaching styles helps students (and me) stay interested and reinforces the lesson without being boring.
When pressed for time, I tend to fall back on my strongest teaching style, which is (1)readings followed by (2)lecture mixed with Socratic dialogue. It doesn't fit every student's learning style, but it does fit the profession for which my students are preparing, and they have a better chance to learn from me when I'm comfortable with the teaching method.
This point of view finds support in a recent study, summarized in an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 15, 2009, "Matching Teaching Style to Learning Style May Not Help Students." The point of the study is not to disparage the importance of learning styles as an aid to teaching. Rather, the authors say that focusing solely on how students receive information distorts the educational process. It also matters that students learn the prevalent learning style expectations for their career, and that the teacher be effective in creating and transmitting lessons.
My objective as an instructor is to lay a foundation for my students' career goals. By adapting my teaching methods to different learning styles, I build upon various foundations having ensured some stability. To do otherwise, is to build on an mirage.
if you know the learning styles of your students... you can plan accordingly. not every student learns the same way. so if you can incorperate your leson plan to cover multiple learning styles, your teaching will be more affective, and more information will be retained by the students
By knowing the learning style of our students, we can better prepare our lessons. The presentation of material, the practice and assessment of the content will be better deliver and assess if we know our audience; who the are and how they learn.
HI Kristine- That's a great way to get your students using critical thinking skills and getting them participating. Best wishes- Susan
HI Patti- Thanks for your post to the forum! It really only takes trying to use teh various learning styles as often as possible and you will see a great response. Best wishes-Susan
Since every student has a different way of learing, I think its impartial that instructors incorporate varies learing styles.
It is so important to try different things when teaching. I call it switching. For example, if I am teaching taxes, I first have the students think about what a world look like without taxes. I might even have them draw a picture. Then I will lecture with PowerPoint making sure they have to fill in notes. Then I always end with a worksheet or some activity in which they have to show they learned the topic.
I agree we never stop learning. So it is with your students, We are the motivators and role modles that learning no matter what style is important.
This can be a valuable tool because it will allow you to find other resources for the student to use. We have some great course content designed by the best, but there will always be gaps in student understanding the instructor will need to bridge. We can save time and stress on the student if the additional resources we supply fit into their preferred learning style.
It helps the formation of lectures - guest speakers - labs - and how long the unit is going to last in general.
Hi Sarah - Thanks for your post with the link to the Learning Style assessment. I have seen that one before and it is excellent. Thanks for sharing! Susan
Hi Sarah - That's really true - in a large auditorium class there is really no way to assess everyone's style, so we just need to mix up our delivery as often as possible. Thanks - Susan
Hi Maureen - I suppose there are some teachers who do this totally in every lesson, but I agree they have got to be exhausted!! So, just try to use as much variety as possible and that'll be great. Susan
Hi Ralph- I think we can all relate to being trapped in a seemingly never-ending lecture! Thanks for your post- Susan
HI Tammy - I am really happy that you found some new ways to enhance your teaching. We never stop learning if we make the effort! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
The benefits of knowing the learning styles of your students is that the students will enjoy and absorb the material being taught.
I would be a more effective instructor because the students would understand and "get" the information I am giving them and they would ultimately succeed.
