I believe proper planning is a large part of instructor success. When you know what learning styles you are dealing with, you can plan better. A variety of sources will be used to get information across, but knowing the learning styles affords the instructor a valuable tool in selecting those sources. Technology makes this easier for instructors because most course information is available in multiple formats.
Retention, retention, retention. By knowing how to reach all learning curves will create an environment that encompasses and nurtures growth in the classroom. Also if they “get it†they will be more apt to share it outside of the classroom, which also enforces the learning process.
HI Dawna - Your taking the time to have the learning style conversation with your students also gives them the message that you care about how they learn. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I try to address the different learning styles with my lecture use power point then hands on demonstration while clearly stating the steps of the procedure. You can tell the learning type of each student by observation. Active listening, note taking practice hand motions all tell the story of whether the student is learning what I need them to learn.
I completely agree with you. I have also implemented various learning styles in order to invigorate learning in my classes. My students are given lectures, powerpoint presentations, oral presentations, and group projects to name a few of my methods. I have actually enjoyed their diversified styles of approaching their course material.
I have found that when I explain my teaching method it is very helpful to ask the students their learning preference. The result is two-fold, because it serves as an ice-breaker as well as an indicator of who my students really are and how I can reach their learing styles.
Knowing the learning styles of your students will allow you as an instructor to present the information in a way that the student will understand the information and become successful.
Some benefits of knowing the instructional styles of your students are being able to present the material in ways that are appropriate to meet your student's learning needs. By addressing many different learning styles with appropriate teaching methods, you are also developing yourself as a teacher.
This knowledge will make you a more effective instructor by creating a more favorable environment for learning in your classroom. As the student learn more they become more confident and classroom participation increases.
Hi Robert - Thanks for your post to the forum. Are you teaching Physics or something similar?
Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
1) You're able to deliver the information in formats that students can understand. Students will also be receptive to the information given and learning barriers can be removed. An example is teaching mathematics to a visual learner. If you told that learner to read the math book instead of taking various problem and using visual aids to get the point across, that learner will always say math is difficult and hard to understand.
2) Instructors can develop different lesson plan utilizing these different learning skills. Instructors can also troubleshoot and resolve discrepencies with students comprehension.
Knowing the learning styles of our students not only assists us with planning our lessons but also helps us coach students on how best to study for the class.
Having students take a short assessment to determine their learning styles helps them know better how to study and helps us prepare more effective lessons.
How can I get a hold of such a tool?
Knowing the learning styles of your students helps you as an instructor to tailor your methods of instructional delivery to appeal to the students' preferred learning styles. However, no group will be uniform in their preferred learning style, so I think the best approach is to offer a variety of learning modalities. That way all students have an opportunity not only to excel in their own way but to learn to appreciate and perhaps participate in other ways of learning. As we do this as instructors, our students continually teach us to be more effective in our teaching methods.
Knowing the learning styles of my students allow me the opportunity to vary my teaching style to reach more of my students on their best learning level. Using the white board and power point to keep it interesting and finding real world application for the Physic and math I teach. The most difficult group to reach has always been the "hands on" students since most of what I teach is theory and math.Can you suggest a few ways to give these students a little better reach toward this part of my course?
Hi Michael- I usually have my students take a brief learning styles inventory. But, as you mentioned, I think it is important to use varied delivery styles as it is rare to ever have a completely homogenous classroom. Susan
If you know the learning styles of your students you can set your teaching styles to this learning style which will make it so much easier for the students to learn the material in your class. In any given class you will have many different learning styles so it is important that as a teacher you can be flexible in how you teach students so you can provide them with the best possible learning exeperience. If I can teach to the student's learning style it will be much easier for that student to understand the information I am presenting in class each day.
Susan Sandmann
Knowing the learning styles of students enables the instructor to tailor presentation style. However, do we really have the luxury of knowing our student's learning styles on the first few days of class? Not in my reality. That said, we should tailor/present our lessons in a way that appeals to more than one learning style. I have my students read the lesson material the night before, then I present the lesson using multimedia...this captures most styles. I acknowledge that some students are put off by reading the night before; however I show them how it helps with participation and that usually suffices.
knowing if a student is an auditory, visual or writer type learner allow me to taylor the lectures in such a way where everyone benefits.
So, perhaps powerpoint with handouts can be complimented with note taking when I do not use powerpoint.
Hi Deon - Thanks for your post to the forum. Great observations on distinguising learning styles! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
