I will try colored markers for students to use on their flip charts during team projects, and have them post their work on walls (left to right) for discussion. I also may try music during their team project, but I am not sure what type would be best.
Cleider,
I think this is a great example of adapting to your students & recognizing their learning styles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Using colors and visuals break the monotony in the classroom. Different colored papers for different hand-outs can be used. Proper seating arrangement will definitely improve students' learning process. I agree that auditory learners should be seated in front because they are more focused when they hear what is being discussed in the classroom. Creative supplies can also be used to facilitate learning. We haven't used music yet in the classroom.
Depending on what classes I teach. Most students are visual learners. I use colored charts to explain my subjects so students can focus on what I am lecturing. It also gets their attention because they are eager to find out what is in it
Summer,
I agree that seating arrangement (if we can move desks/tables) is a great way to help facilitate more discussion & interaction.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Jodi,
I agree that in this situation, probably is a good idea to occasionally mix up the seating for variety & interaction sake.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I'm a massage therapy instructor, these suggestions would work out quite nicely in our classrooms. I would put colorful pictures of people getting massage around the room, this would also help with the visual aspect. Nice relaxing music helps to keep everyone focused on the task at hand...learning massage. We actually use massage tables, even during lecture classes. I found that if I put the tables in a horseshoe shape, everyone feels like they are in the front row. It works out very nicely.
For me, the most important part of all of the aspects of the multi-sensory learning environment is the seating of students. I involved a lot of discussion activities in my class and the traditional layout of students seeing the back of each others' heads does zero for facilitating discussion. The students not only need to be able to face the instructor, but each other for authentic, useful discussions to occur. I have also found that when student are in a U or V shape they are more thoughtful to how they respond to one another.
Sometimes I am lucky enought to get small classes (5-10) and we generally then sit in a circle.
I have found all of our classrooms are set up the same. 2 students to a rectangular desk facing the instructor. I wish we had more of an option. I do like to change the students seating, so they get to know each other better and have new experiences with other people in the class. My students are in a cohort together for 60 weeks, so I think it is good for me to change the seating and group arrangements.
Yes, with hand made posters we can create personalized environment that supports the Ideas and concepts for the class. Music and seating arrangements will help the environment. Seating will get the students to interact with each other as a group rather than look at someones back.
I typically use music as students are settling in at the begining of the day. It lightens the environment and eases pre-class discussion time.
There is also a bit of conditioning, when the music goes off it signals that class is about to begin.
Kimbely,
these are all great ideas that bring creativity to the classroom.
Dr. Ryan Meers
It would be nice if we could arrange seating at my school. The administration basically decides how the classroom should be set up and we (instructors) just have to make do with it.
I think that color coding new information will help the student learn the information better. Visual aids such as diagrams, charts and pictures help the visual learner understand. The seating of a clasroom should be directed towards the type of learnimg that will take place in the class. I also believe in integrating outsisde resources (creative supplies) to teach. When I was teaching a class on communication, we used cell phones for an activity that helped people understand the concept that I was teaching.
since I teach nursing it might make the content gel more if the students made various posters of the systems and disease processes and share them with the class
Harriet,
this is a great, easy technique we all can do, thank you for sharing.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have experimented on the using color and not using color to see how the students repond. When I do my power point presentation,usually I present in colors to capture my audiences attention. I have used less vibrant color an found that the student do not respond as well, they appear less interested, almost bored, so every week I have to come up with a better idea to capture the audience.
I totally agree. I teach in a school which consists of visual learners. I always have samples made of all the projects we will be doing as well as ones that I was able to keep from past students. I also play clasic rock music since it is a sewing class. The machines drawn out the music for the most part but they really enjoy having it in the background.
John,
thank you for sharing ideas on using multi-sensory methods even in the online environment.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I upload the powerpoints to the student access website prior to class, I think this helps with keeping them engaged. I also use the white board and case presentations.
