It is important to be a good listener and reader of body language. By doing so one can adapt to challenges or concerns students may have who can't or won't verbally express them. This may be the opportune time to ask for point of reference feedback from students.
Clear communication of an instructors thoughts, visuals, and demonstrations. And it doesn't hurt to be animated in the instructions.
In my short time with teaching I find that slowing down and talk with the students apposed to talking at the students helps them alot. I don't so much lecture as I have a conversation with the students. This gets them involved and also gives me a strong acessment of where they are with the termonolgy and techniques we are covering.
I believe that being clear is one of the most important communication skill for a diverse learning environment. When you are clearly explaining the information in class, the students have a better chance of retaining the information. Then when you mix in the different learning styles and teaching to all of them, you start to see some real progress with students.
Speaking and non-verbal skills are most improtant in a diverse learning environment. This is true because much of what you are conveying is coming from within your speech to the class. You do have access to the board and other technologies but when push comes to shove they are only helping ro re-enforce what youare saying. Non-verbal communications is vital as well as your students can see how enthused you are about your subject through your non-verbal communications and you can see how well you students are getting it through their non-verbal communications.
I think it is important to be engaging and use a variety of tones to keep interest in the lecture. Try to include visual aides.
I find that the most important communication skill is being able to talk to the students. How is it possible to have students understand the lecture if you are not able to talk to them??????????
The most important communication skill I beleive is versatility which is an ability to take complicated information and simplify it such a way that each student is able to understand it. When I instruct I look at their facial expressions for signs of confusion at that point I will pause a few seconds and then clarify the information with real time examples. I encourage students to raise their hand and stop me when something is not clear. I try not to move ahead until I am comfortable with their understanding. If required I will make myself available to work with a student one on one. When I work with a student one on one I can better understand how he learns and further adjust how I teach.
Hi Regina!
You know, Regina, it's about making that connection with students that makes them know that we care about them and their learning outcomes. To instill in our students the love for life-long learning is so rewarding.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
Hi Gerry!
A very good point. I read recently that by the year 2025 that one third of the population will be non-English speaking. It is necessary for us to learn about non-verbal as well as cultural differences.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I think non-verbal communication is the most important. I think students can use an instructors body language as clues of what are being talked about. Students who may have a slight language barrier could hear you say something is "gargantuan" and have no idea it means big or very large, but if when you say it you spread your arms out over your head brought down to the sides of your body they are able to sense you are meaning something BIG!
I also feel that when people said their "good at reading people" is meaning they are watching what a person is doing, how they are moving their body, what their facial expressions look like, because it's the easiest way to learn if a person is sick or upset or happy to be someplace!
Online classes are a leveling environment which allows the diverse student more time and flexibility to do assignments and to learn. They are not exposed as in a normal ground classroom. They are not seen by others nor the teacher.
Software tools like Word can help them correct English spelling errors and grammar errors. The teaching is all done via powerpoint slides and writing on those slides and talking during the online live chat. The student can review the archive of these chats, stop and print out copies, reverse to replay, etc.
Communication with the instructor is done via email, mostly, which allows time between exchanges.
It's feel that it's important to float around the room, make eye contact, and individually visit each student. It let's the student know that you know they are there and allows for you as the instructor to get a glimpse of each student's learning style and if they are comprehending and utilizing the presented information.
I feel proper body language can be an instructor's best asset in a diverse learning environment. If arms are crossed and the instructor is frowning, the students will not be inclined to engage in the class. Positive body language can promote open communication within a class without any spoken words.
I believe the non verbal communication is very important to the student to learn in my profession of dental assisting. Most classrooms that have diverse backgrounds come with diverse non verbal communication cues and it is so important to learn other ethnicities cues.
I believe good voice quality and enthusiasm are important in a diverse learning environment. These two key qualities, together, grab the attention of the students and make learning enjoyable.
Give the students a clear understanding of class. Paint them a picture and offer them a outline that points out exactly what the class is going to be about. If needed repeat this information until they all under stand what the class is going to offer.
I feel that by using repetition you get a better understanding of what the students are retaining.
I believe that the best communication skills to utilize when working with a diverse group is to evaluate each students progress continually. This will help me to recognize areas in which students may need more attention and instruction.
I am new to teaching, this is my first year, I am a SME. I have had to think about communicating in a why that I am not the boss but the teacher, I am able to speak loud and sometimes clearly, I have to remember to unicate if I am in Demo and focused on the task and talking about it at the same time. I hold a strong presense in the class whick is good but at the same time I want the students to feel I am approachable. So body language plays a big role.
This is a very difficult question to answer, since I believe all aspects discussed are important. I think when I look back to teachers and professors in my educational past, the one aspect that I admired was their voice. The one who varied their tonality and pace, as well as, the clarity and punctuation were the most enjoyable. I think that in todays diverse learning environment this skill of making learning enjoyable is important. I must make note that this is a skill I struggle with and work at each and every class.
