Hi Kathy,
Way to build a scaffold of learning between episodic and semantic memories for student use. This sequence will enable the students to retain and apply the needed information in a effective and efficient manner.
Gary
I plan to develop teaching strategies that help the student make connections between their episodic and semantic long term memories. Since my courses require that a student learn technical terms for a particular industry and then apply these terms to a particular process, it is important that both the semantic and episodic memories are entertained. For example, in a textile course for merchandisers, the student must learn the properties, care and end uses of fibers. These fibers are then translated into fabrics and then into products. A merchandiser must be able to make a connection between the semantic knowledge and the practical end use of the product, the customer perception, target market and price point.
I know that visual learners like to see information presented in picture type formats such as graphs, plots, idea maps and such. Because of this I add many visual items to my presentations rather than just words on a page.
Hi Joe,
Like your last sentence. It really puts into perspective the opportunities we have as educators. We get to teach, prepare the next generation of people for our field, be creative and get paid for it. What's not to like?
Gary
By understanding the basics of learning an instructor can identify the phase of mental development of the class and tailor the learnign to the appropriate level. Refining it into abstract and concrete divsions in your students will allow the instructor to better address content delivery. Different apporaches to the same material may allow maximum learning if the class has a mix of these attributes. I often address these differences by conducting a guided discussion followed by a project. The project can be a ssimple as a summary of a reading for a concrete learner, or narrowing the possible choices by an abstract learner. Imagination is the only limitation.
By understanding the basics of learning an instructor can identify the phase of mental development of the class and tailor the learnign to the appropriate level. Refining it into abstract and concrete divsions in your students will allow the instructor to better address content delivery. Different apporaches to the same material may allow maximum learning if the class has a mix of these attributes. I often address these differences by conducting a guided discussion followed by a project. The project can be a ssimple as a summary of a reading for a concrete learner, or narrowing the possible choices by an abstract learner. Imagination is the only limitation.
Hi Wayne,
Good point about the need to offer variety in our instructional delivery. In many ways what we do as instructors is to offer a learning buffet to our students. With the variety of delivery they pick different ways to learn at that fit their preferences.
Gary
As instructors I feel we need to take advantage of how learning is processed in the brain. Knowing that the student will retain a great percent of information presented using audio, visual, and tactile learning experiences should alter our teaching. Some students have a learning style preference. Using all three, audio (lecture), visual (PowerPoints and pictures), and tactile (lab activities) will enhance learning and benefit all student in our classes.
As an instructor, I need to know the different ways students learn and retain information so that I can prepare my lessons accordingly. I need to make sure every student has the opportunity to learn and retain the day's lesson. Therefore, I must hit the visual, the auditory, and the tactile learner in my planning.
Hi Karen,
Reading the learning preferences of your students and then offering a variety of instructional deliveries helps to keep the students engaged. You are right on with your strategy to offer these different methods.
Gary
Understanding the benefits of learning will help me as an instructor because I'll be able to adapt my teaching to the specific needs of the students. For example, with some students I might give a visual/literal demonstration of how to complete a project, where with other students, if I understand that they receive information in a more verbal way, I might then give a more in-depth verbal description of how to complete a project.
I can use a lot of this knowledge to find new and better ways to teach. I am going to try to use the "3's" concept in my classd.
Understanding the basics of learning will benefit me as an instructor by helping me to better understand students and how they learn.
What is of special benefit is to realize that each student is unique because their experiences are unique to them and their learning process is unique as a result.
One example of adapting a lesson would be to teach new concepts in a concrete fashion first. Then follow with review and summary and feedback. Then follow with an abstract application of the concepts which calls upon the student's own experience. It always helps when the students can relate to the material.
Understanding how a student learns helps the instructor better prepare to teach the student. If I found that I have mostly students with a tendency to learn best through kinesthetic means, I would focus my class on hands-on work rather than on a straight lecture or research.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the kind words about the module. Yes, you are going in the right direction with your approach in working with older students. They have so many life experiences and want to make sure that they are successful in their studies that they have a tremendous amount of content stored in their memories. They are trying to make sure they sort it out and are able to find that content when needed. You are assisting them in their efforts to do so. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Having identified the differences in learning in adults in my MS, I have noticed the inability of older students to filter the information into important and deletable pieces. I add trivia into my history class to keep it relatable and fun.
I find returning adult students are trying to note every word I say and become extremly overwhelmed.
I have added a componant to the class that consists of handouts with picture examples with a place to take notes as well as a list of vocabulary words. This adds the element of concrete learning and creates a focus on the critical material.
I found this to be a very interesting module and confirms I am going in the right direction.
Susan
Hi Donald,
You have a number of really good strategies you are using with your students to bring variety to the classroom. Your approach is enabling your students to use a number of different learning preferences in acquiring the needed knowledge.
Gary
Understanding the basics of learning will benefit me as an instructor by helping me to identify the ways in which people learn and adapt my lessons and discussions to benefit them as well as the rest of the class. I do know that most people are visual and hands-on learners and I try to have my students look at the task at hand and then try to accomplish it together through a hands-on learning experience.
I 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!
I tend to learn by hearing so I enjoy the lecture enviornment. As a result I have the tendancy to lecture alot in the classroom. This will not reach all students effectivly though. So I plan to start using more visual aids in my lecture as well as trying to relate the information to things the the student has already been exposed to in their life. I also try to repeat information to stress it's importance but use different illistrations or come at the information from a different angle to keep it from being just repitition. Giving the students hand-outs so they can follow along as I lecture helps to keep them involved. The addition of hands on training, if possible, should also help.
