it helps the students, grab onto a method that works for them. I usually give power point handouts.. i then leave space for the students to write and i give them examples of real life situtaions. I find that helps them - i sometimes will show them things bring in props. if this does not help, i sit with the student and ask them how do they learn...
Most of all the first day of class- i ask the students to speak to me and let me know if they have any medical issues/learning disabilities or test taking anxiety..
Because that incorporates everyone into the class and helps ensure everyone learns the material.
I try to incorporate every style into my daily class routines. Even a straight lecture day is never really just that. I teach audio production and as a brief example I'll deliver straight lecture (auditory) as I'm doing so, the students will read supporting material from handouts or textbooks (written/visual), I also show videos and many images and flow charts on the video screen (visual), I also play supporting audio productions (auditory again) but before I do, I'll have a student set up the equipment for it or I'll create a problem with the equipment that I'll have the students troubleshoot and fix (kinethestic) before the listening can begin.
I find this methodology really hits everyone in the class quite effectively and the students really do learn a lot better overall.
Hi David, Thanks for a very significant post! I enjoy nothing more than seeing those students who had been "failures" in K-12 and now blossom when their learning styles are taken into account. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
It is important because many students that end up going to our career schools have low self-esteem from years of being beaten down emotionally by other people in authority positions. Some are almost looking for an excuse to fail. We owe it to them (and to ourselves) to do everything within our power to help them learn and recognize their accomplishments throughout the learning process, in part by appealing to their individual learning styles.
I like the visual efect they seem to grab the consepts better.
Hi Stacy, Thanks for your post to the forum. You have a lot of great action happening in your classroom! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Happy Thanksgiving!Susan
Susan Polick
We try to use a variety of teaching methods in all of our classes. Students usually respond well to this. We often have lecture (most of the time with PowerPoints and handouts) and also include group projects, discussion groups and hands on activities when appropriate. The students also come up with some great ideas for class activities as well.
Hi Dan, Thanks for your post to the forum. it is significant that you mentioned the importance of providing varied approaches in our delivery!
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
In order to help insure the students are obtaining the needed information from the course, it naturally makes sense that instructors use the most effective instructional methods to reach the students. It is important that instructors make a concerted effort to provide varied approaches to present material to the students, and use as many resources that will complement the learning styles of all of the students.
By assessing the learning styles of your students, you can ""tweak" your way of presenting the material to help your students learn more quickly and with less struggle.
If we support or complement the learning styles of our students it creates a positive and successful environment in which our students will succeed. If our students are learning, they are happy. This in return will help to retain a positive environment for all involved.
Hi Pearlmarie, Thanks for your post to the forum. You mention that by varying our delivery to reach the different learning styles we actually help our students to adapt to other styles - good point! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
It is important to provide approaches and resources that complement the learning styles of our students in order for each student to have the best possible opportunity to learn/know the information. Also, it will provide a framework for a safe environment for a student who has a learning style preference to experiment with another type of learning style. For example, when a student is a visual learner he/she will be provided with auditory experiences in order to enhance learning by listening.
Every student learns in a different way. The teaching styles for instructors must reflect this to have the students "learn" the information.
Wow Lynette - You have a lot of active and creative things happening! Great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Because processing information is so different for everyone I use powerpoint, anatomical models and Youtube video's to demonstrate content. I also incorporate handout with quizzes for the written word learners. Along with the Youtube video I give a quiz to fill out as they are watching the video.
You may have a mix of several types of preferred learning styles. If you only use the auditory learning style strategy, then your visual, and kinesthetic learners will have more difficulty learning the information. To effectively get through to all of your class, you need to first assess each student's preferred learning style and then plan to use strategies for learning that include each learning style.
It is important to set your students up for success. By providing different approaches and resources and understanding your students learning abilities and capabilities you can set them up for success.
Hi Ann - Whoo Hoo for you!! LOL! Susan
It is important because some students learn different ways. You have to incorporate all different angles so you can make sure all students are retaining the same information. Whether its power point, doing activities in class, discussion groups or so on, every student needs to learn somehow and someone. No student should be left behind because of an inability to learn a certain way!
