It is very important to provide different approaches and resources to different students because people learn and understand in different ways. During class I use different types of teaching methods and I teach in sequence. For example, I use power points to present the information, disease, treatment and assessment. I follow up with an image of the disease. Afterwards I demonstrate a "how to" method to assess the disease while drawing it on the board. After lecture the students have lab. In lab I create assignments that correspond to the lecture we cover in class and the students apply the knowledge and information they learned in using the lab assignment. It works well because during lab I work one on one with each student. I assist them while they assess, measure and apply what they learned.
Supporting multiple learning styles is difficult, but very necessary. I have a student who had a horrible car accident and had to learn to walk and talk all over again. She has a hard time with retention. I bring out tactical projects, visual presentations, the whole gamet-it is a lot of preparation and time, but I think it is working!
It is important to provide a variety of approaches and resources because student's learn differently. During my chat sessions I ensure I met all of my students' needs by reviewing powerpoint presentations, asking questions, read chapters aloud, taking notes and reviewing assignments for understanding (allowing my hands on student to actually complete a question during chat).
In my Math classes, I try to address each learning style - lecture for auditory, Power Point presentations that summarize the key concepts for written learners, guided practice problems for visual learners and student practice problems for kinesthetic learners. Tutorial time with a student provides a valuable opportunity to get to know the student's individual learning style and needs.
Hi G , Thanks for your post to the forum. Excellent point! Our students are our customers although I like to refer to them as our "clients". As with any client we need to be able to give them advice and feedback that they may not always like, but which we know is in their best interests. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
In order to reach each of the inidividual learning styles of the students. While some students will learn best by listening to a lecture, others comprehend more from the power-point presentations, and still others benefit from labeling in the workbooks or passing the visual aids around the classroom (typodonts, skulls...). Retention improves when material is presented in the learning style best suited for the individual.
Yes, career college education shares a lot of information in a short period of time; yet the most important about these career schools is that the program incorporate most all the methods of learning through lectures and hands on.
I agree that students process information better using a variety of styles . This aids each student to retain the information.
Most importantly in my opinion is: Good Customer Service. Our students are our customers, they not only deserve our respect as a student but also as a paying customer. We owe them every opportunity to retain their product and utilize it. For some learners lecture and notes work well, for others hands-on opportunities, and others pictures and re-call. Using a 3 step approach we can accomodate all learning types with ease.
Hi Veronica, Thanks for your post to the forum. Your work helping students know and understand their learning styles is excellent! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
As an instructor you should cover all bases. The most important part of teaching is getting your audience attention and keeping that attention focused on your topic.
In graduate school, I learned the importance of knowing the learning styles of students. So, when I started teaching, one of the questions that I asked my students during our first class meeting is whether or not they know their learning styles. And if they did, do they know how to enhance their learning styles and how to put them into good use for their benefit?
Most of the time, I found that some students did not know their learning style. Some claim that they did but they were not aware of strategies to enhance them. In this situation, I would perform a Learning Style Assessment by asking the students to fill out a simple questionnaire. The students themselves can find out immediately what their learning style(s) is/are. Next, I would give them a copy of the list of methods how they can enhance their learning style.
I found that when the students and the teacher become fully aware of the students learning style, the learning environment will become richer. The teacher will have to be creative and resourceful in delivering the course content based on the learning styles of the students. I believe that when students feel that their learning styles are being supported by the teacher, they will be more cooperative and eager to participate in class.
I agree with the comments of others that time is of the essence in our classrooms. If material that needs to be learned can be grasped in a timely manner our learners will be more successful. I enjoy developing game like lessons that allow me to employ many modalities and make the learning fun and competitive in a good way.
Hi Kimberly,- Thanks for your post to the forum. I also work for a for profit college and my students are also primarily adult. I feel that my students have higher expectations than do most 18-21 year old students and so agree that we need to really come up with innovative activities that will challenge them. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I am instuctor at a for profit college and I know that most of my students are non-traditional and I really have to get creative at times to be sure that they are all receiving the correct information.No student left behind.
Hi Catherine, Yes, unfortunately many students arriving at our post-secondary schools have no knowledge of learning styles. I love seeing how they thrive when they and we are made aware of how they learn in the best way. Choose one of your own behaviors or traits, such as getting angry easily, being compulsive and suggest at least two possible causes for the behavior or trait.
You could also reflect on the different perspectives you used in deciding on important causes. Did you focus on biological, psychological, or socio-cultural causes?
Remember to comment on at least two other students responses.
Susan Polick
By supporting the learning styles of my students I am supporting the success of my students!
If we don't work with and support their learning styles then they will have trouble learning the material. By making them aware of their particular learning style they'll have an easier time understanding and retaining the material.
Hi Sharon, You are certainly running an active classroom and reaching the diverse learning styles. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Hi Althea, Thanks for your post to the forum. Yes, we just need to vary our delivery to accomodte the learning styles.
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
