Everybody is different and learn in different ways. In a typical class of 25-30 students, there is no way that one single strategy can reach every student. If I stick to one single way of teaching, I will lose about 90% of the students. Some strategies include:
For auditory learners - lecture, class discussion
For Kinesthetic or hands on learners- I bring playdoh to class and use toys or something they can play with to learn the concepts.
For visual - powerpoints, pictures,
Hi Judy,
This understanding is going to work well for you as you plan your instructional delivery. This way you can "target" your content more and help your students with a higher level of knowledge retention.
Gary
definitely try to communicate information in various ways in order to reach students and keep them interested. I use videos, group projects, role play, guest speakers, and lecture. I'm always on the lookout for new methods to keep things fresh for my students as well as myself!
While much of my instruction can be lecture, I need to provide the students more time to digest, discuss the topic matter to reinforce it and possibly look at short exercises that will involve/use the other senses to assist with retention.
I am looking forward to discovering more about the basics of learning. I noticed that some of my students did get a little overwhelmed because they were not able to filter out the information as well as I expected. I will keep in mind the “deletion†filter when planning my future lectures. Although I feel that all the information I present is important, I need to remember that they do not have to retain all of it to be successful in their programs.
Understanding the basics of learning will benefit us as instructors by allowing us a basic understanding of the basic process occurring and the differences in different individuals and the way they learn. We are able to adapt our instructional strategy or teaching methods as a result of understanding how the brain functions and how learning occurs. We are able to offer information in varying formats and/or approaches depending on the individual learner.
Hi Stacy,
I know you are going to enjoy enhanced learning in your students as a result of these efforts. You are going to be more connected with your students and they with both you and the content. This is what learning is about.
Gary
Moving forward I will integrate a combination of teaching methods to address learning effectiveness through the sences 9tactile, visual and auditory).
I also plan on intitanteing the coure to ensure students can see the value of the learning objective. I want to ensrue the buy in starts at the begining.
I will continue to diversify my teaching style. I already include some videos & some tactile experiences (play-do & sculpting with pipe-cleaner)... but now I want to have several of these per hour: 15 min lecture, followed by 10 min activity/review. Repeat!
This way I can introduce new content AND apply it quickly, while trying to expose each learning style to an accessible format.
Well I am teaching web design/visual communication so what I would try to do is include some samples of how the end result would look of function to get the individuals curiosity and excitement up wondering how does that do that and I want to know how to do that as well. The object of the assignment almost becomes investigatory trying to pull the code apart and understand the inner workings of things.
Hi Ann,
Good point about the need to bring variety into the classroom so the students can make the new knowledge and skills a part of their working memory. When they do this they are truly engaged and progressing as students.
Gary
Understanding the basics of learning will be beneficial as an instructor because it allows me to organize my lessons to reach the many different types of learners I encounter. I apply this knowledge in my teaching by repeating information in a number of different ways. Firstly, I will make write the information on the board appealing to visual learners. Then, I say the information for the audio learners. However, knowing that 70% of information is learned when applied kinesthetically, the highest percent of retention, I always try to incorporate an activity that allows students to apply what I am teaching.
Hi Dynlene,
Thank you for this great information on learning preferences and knowledge acquisition. This is why helping the students to "connect the dots" between content and application is so critical to the learning process.
Gary
Brain-based learning
According to Jensen (2008), research on brain-based theory in relation to the roles between learning and the brain now encompasses the role of emotions, patterns, meaningfulness, environments, body rhythms, attitudes, stress, trauma, assessment, music, movement, gender, and enrichments. Brain-based education is not a new topic in regards to educational research. In 1983, a new paradigm was established in connecting brain function and traditional educational practice, thus focusing on the cognitive process. Researchers later proved that there is a correlation between brain function, models of thinking and student success.
As a classroom facilitator, it is important to differentiate the levels of learning in a classroom setting, and modify the curriculum accordingly. A unique mixture of assignments that incorporate brain development activity and learning experiences would benefit the learning community. Effective facilitators, as cited in the learning activity are able to integrate translated semantic memory needs of their learners into episodic memory components within the lesson.
Jensen, E. (2008). Brain-based learning: The new paradigm of teaching. (2nd ed.). Thousand, Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.
By using various techniques such as visual demonstrations, vocabulary on board that must be copied by students and various student discussion groups.
Hi Eon,
Well planned. Your students will benefit from your instructional plan for how to use their memory banks and make application with what they are learning.
Gary
Now that I have a greater understanding of how the brain works, I plan to use more activities that make the students use a combination on long and short term memory capabilities. An activity I will use is that getting students to read and understand an instruction booklet on how to operate an item, then 5 days later and let them use memory to operate item without booklet.
Hi Frederick,
Good point. This is why we need to work at making the learning environment supportive and comfortable so the students will see learning opportunities when they are there.
Gary
Helps to match teaching techniques with learning processes conducted by the brain. For example, if the reptilian portion of the brain is engaged, then the learner is not focused on the material but of the "fight/flight" situation. So comprehensive analysis of the audience and constant evaluation of teaching techniques, classroom settings, etc is required to prevent "threats" being perceived by the students.
Hi Deborah,
This is a good strategy because of all that the night students have encountered during the day. They are generally tired, often hungry and involved in trying to keep up with life. They are dedicated because they are enrolled in school but it is easy for them to get distracted from why they are there and their course work. Anything we instructors of night students can do to help them stay engaged is a plus for their career goals.
Gary
