Understanding the basics of learning will help instructors teach a lesson properly with the learner in mind. I would chunk my lectures and allow my students to process the information in small amounts.
Tammy,
This is a great way to bring about course improvement. The more input we have the more accurately we can be in making changes that will make the course even better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree over the last five years, I have changed in so many way. One thing I do in my classes is let the students write down all the things that they enjoy about the class and all the things they dislike and why. I review this information early on and ask again and mid point and towards the end of the semester to see if my adaptations have helped.
Julie,
This is a very comprehensive way of looking at your instructional delivery. You are able to offer a sequence of thought in terms of moving from concrete to abstract as the students gain more knowledge and expertise. The end result will be individuals that are able to identify and cope with different situations in terms of problem solving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding the basics of learning can benefit every instructor. This understanding gives instructors an insight into how different students learn and the best ways to approach and teach these students. As we learned, students learn through concrete and abstract thinking. Some students prefer concrete, some abstract. Knowing this, instructors can plan lessons and activities that help the students understand concepts through both methods. For example, in the medical field, a physician may order physical therapy for a patient (concrete). The Physical Therapist devises a plan of various exercises, massage, and stimulation to provide the therapy (abstract).
Kelsey,
Thank you for the good analysis on how individuals process information and then store it for use later on. All of these factors contribute to how they internalize content and then make application of it as needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding the basics of learning is not only imperative within the teaching occupation, but essential. In looking or thinking on how one learns it is important to know and understand that first off, learning is life long and continuous. With that said how one learns and retains information does change with age, not that just because you are x age you learn less, but you process the information differently.
Understanding the different factors such as family, environment, culture, etc can help instructors in developing class lessons.
As a career college instructor, working with adults, I am hoping that my students use working memory a combination of both long term and short-term memory. This would help in students being able to retrieve the information and then apply it using critical thinking and formulate solutions.
Thanks so much,
Kelsey
Genaro,
Listening is a powerful learning tool and you are using when you ask your students questions. By listening to their responses you can determine how they are doing in the course and what strategies you need to employ to enhance their opportunities for success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is true, I give examples of past experiences to my students to show that what is being taught makes better sense and they seem to understand much better.
Asking questions to better understand the students needs and where they are struggling.
Thomas,
These connections are powerful reminders. I think you are going to achieve very good results through your efforts to connect your content with the episodic memories of your students. The retention of content is going to increase as will student engagement.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Recalling information is one of the toughest things to do even if you have just read or seen something. I find that if the information pertains to me personally or has an Episodic Memory trigger - I will remember. I think I will see how I can use my students personal experiences to help create "working memory".
Understanding the fact that learning is an ongoing process throughout the lifespan, helps an instructor approach each student with the awareness that he/she comes with certain knowledge and experiences that will impact his/her learning. In addition, understanding the filters that students use to process incoming information will help me to emphasize key material and important facts during facilitation.
I think that by getting student feedback it helps to plan your lecture. Use what has been working or change things students say is hard to follow or that didn't help them learn the topic.
Butch,
By creating such a balance for your students I know both you and your students are going see enhanced learning and great retention of the content. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I sometimes forget the importance of concrete learning skills. I personally do well with abstract reasoning. This course has encouraged me to close the gap with my students.
The students I Teach are typically very visual. I like to use the actual items they will be working on so they can touch and visualy inspect them as opposed to seeing a 2D picture on a screen.
Carolyn,
Great to hear about the information you have received from this course. I am excited about what you are going to be able to do as you create your instructional delivery format and select the activities that will keep your students engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Knowing how the brain accepts and processes information will be very helpful in helping me design a lesson plan that will stimulate the students and not overwelm them. I will also know how to structure my classes in a way that will keep everyone involved. Lastly, I will be able to meet the learning level of the majoriy of the students in the class.
Colleen,
Yes you do. It is an ongoing process as the needs of the class can change at different times and instructors need to be able to "read" the class and then respond with the appropriate supports.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
