Learning styles.
I find it easier to teach with powerpoints then reading for a book.
Hi Rick, Thanks for your post to the forum. I actually enjoy the challenge of coming up with different ways to address all the learning styles! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
One thing that we need to never loose tract of is that many students have various learning styles. They could be a combination of tactile, and visual or auditory, and visual, or I have had students who have had 3 learning styles. So learning styles are also learned personally I like all of them, and can learn under all of or any one of them. So we always have to think outside the box. Dr. Reed
It seems like a lot of instructors rely on a powerpoint as a crutch for lecturing. When I was a student, it was very frustrating to have instructors merely read the information written on the slides.
With Powerpoints you can put alot of information on them. But you need more than just powerpoints just so the students can attain the information.
So do I. I frequently hear feedback that Powerpoint is boring. I just think they are not expandng on the slides. I lecture very well but I fit the old model. I find slides keep me on track. I don't just push the buttons and wait for them to write it down.
I am finding that it is not as visual as I would think it is.This module is helping me expand my skills.
I have a difficult time getting my students to use their "critical thinking skills" also. Due to the topic and material that I teach, my students often think that they are just going to be in an "assisting" position instead of having to actually do problem solving. I try my best to stress the importance of stretching their "problem solving" muscles now and then because everything in their career field is not going to be handed to them in perfect working order.
I like to use real life situations that have come up in my career (leaving myself out of the equation of course), and asking what they would do in that situation. I find that it tends to get them thinking.
This may be a reflection of my learning style but I find that long PPT presentations lose their effectiveness, mixing it up holds my student's attention
That's a good approach, especially since it is the easiest for you but do you do other things to address other learners needs? I know I find this to be very challenging.
The buzz word in out school is "Critical Thinking". I am challenged, especially in an introduction class where they are learning skills through demonstrations and hands on tutorials to get then to think critically. Have you been challenged by this and if so did you find ways to encourage this?
