This is a very difficult one for me and I would appreciate any advice here. We cannot single out diverse learners, have to be very careful of the words we use as well. Fortunately we have a wonderful student advocate here who has been immensely helpful for me.
I would like to add that aside from getting additional training that the learners themselves can be a great source of information. Their past experiences and current preferences can help to shape the way that one can deliver educational instruction.
I try to cover topics in lecture and in hands-on activities for diverse learners. Occasionally I will have a student that I know has the knowledge but do poorly on written exams or quizzes. I try to speak to them one on one and find out what they think may help. Sometimes it is simply to hear the question out loud helps them to be able to answer the question.
Dr.PAVAN,
I like your idea of continually developing new techniques & methods to reach all learners.
Dr. Ryan Meers
By developing new techniques which are simple and easy to understand and find meaningful application
With constant interaction with a student you can identify his needs. Some students know they have a problem and will discuss them with you, others you will have to dig out the information as they are very closed and sensitive to their problem.
I try to relate concepts to things they already know. For example, I compare the circulatory system to a closed plumbing system with pipes and a pump or the nervous system as wiring in your house.
It seems to help them understand without using big medical terms that may be too confusing. This will also help them explain things better to their patients in their career.
Cynthia,
this is a great example of being aware of our students, their needs & what might best help them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I had a student who was difficult to reach. One day I notice how she interacted with a particular student and with their permission I put them together to study.
Obviously, the other student was able to introduce his learning style and she understood. Her grades improved to passing.
I think there are a number of ways to learn what kind of diverse needs are presented in a class. One way would be to look at any records that might be available. Another way is to give a simple assignment in the first class, and when it looks as if a student has a problem, make time to talk privately with the student to see what accommodations teachers have made in the past, or what the student feels he/she needs in order to succeed.
Eric,
I agree with you. Use those mentors & more experienced instructors that are all around you.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think two main ways are to speak with veteran instructors as well as do resaerch. The combination of these two methods will help instructors deal with diverse learners.
I agree. I seem to find a lot of challenges with this area. I often find it very helpful when I go to other instructors for advice and strategies. They tell me what worked and did not work for them. I go from their by making the strategy mine with my own techniques.
I agree with your method of directly asking the students their preferred learning method. This is also a great ice breaker. You will become familiar with the students needs while developing a rapport.
I have found from my past experiences that the majority of students are visual hands on type of learners. These learner styles prefer power-point slides and notes from the blackboard etc. They also like to actually perform the task or review a demonstration of the task.
To understand the demographics of diverse learners will help to effectively teach them .
Understanding their capabilities will help you to effectively promote their growth and development.
The students may be deficient in speaking and reading the English language. They may be a lack of understanding complex terms.
Therefore, the instructor should breakdown the subject matter/ topic of discussion into simple terminology that the diverse learner can comprehend.
I think that often it is a combination of techniques. Asking some direct questions combined with subtle conversation and doing some research on ways to bring them into conversations. I think that creating a learning environment that allows the student to ask questions and for help is the key.
Kelli,
that's a great idea & I'm sure a very helpful tool for you to use. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Ryan Meers
totaly agree. The students will see the new shared learning technique, as if that worked for that student then there is no reason why it should not work for me.
At the start of my program, I administer a learning style 50 question test to the students. From their responses, I am able to narrow down the prominent learning styles for the group.
Larry,
great points made here. I think the key in what you said is for us, as instructors, to be connected to all of our students as much as possible.
Dr. Ryan Meers
