I feel like it keeps instructors motivated and involved with their students when you adapt to the students learning style. I sometimes start a lecture off one way and end up changing my whole approach based on what I observe from the students and when I see that "light bulb" go off it is very rewarding.
Sounds good, i will give that a try.
Thank you Dr. Meers
As an instructor, I often informally assess students through questioning and classroom discussion to determine if the current lesson plan should proceed as is or be adjusted accordingly. Each student reaches and moves beyond the Zone of Proximal Development differently, so scaffolding techniques are often necessary, including differentiation of instruction to reach each student on an individual level.
Fedele,
Set some specific plans for yourself about how you are incorporate these instructional efforts. This way you will be able to make small sequential changes in how you deliver your content while enjoying your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I could benefit by using the different learning strategies in my class, such as adding more auditory instruction in addition to the visual instruction I give. Or possibly even more writen instruction.
Shannon,
Good to hear. The more life connections you can make for the students the greater the cognitive retention.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
As an instructor, it has been natural for me to relate concepts to common life experiences. Now that I know a bit more about how the brain functions and learning occurs, I can adapt by making sure that I use more of these episodic references to make the link to their long term memory that much stronger.
Nancy,
This is why customizing your instruction is so important. You are reading your students and then planning for their learning. Good job!
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Steven,
In relation to your point this is why we need to have use reinforcement and repetition to get the students to retain the content. So the more examples we can share and applications they can make the higher the retention will be.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I consider the group I am teaching, adult learners mixed with younger students, then I adjust my teaching agenda to meet all of their needs.
understanding that the brain has a minimal capacity to aborb information as instructors we must make sure that the students have the ability to retain what is taught.
Richard,
How would you do this?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
In all areas it would be a benfit
Thadeus,
One of the laws of teaching is that there are no constants and your comments support that. Effective instructors are flexible and are able to adapt to the needs of the currently enrolled students. This is what instructional planning is all about.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Learning the basics is important as a foundation and it reinforces past concepts that has worked well for me.
Very true, adaption in your teaching strategy must be done because you must be able to adapt to your students needs/skills/talents. Just like any good football coach adapts his offense to his teams specific skills on a daily, weekly, yearly basis.
Understanding adult learning basics will help me be a better instructor by helping me understand how adults learn new material & adapt /incorporate new knowledge & skills in their course of study.
I will try to help build links with students to use new information to translate into understanding & application and build critical thinking skills.
I will best do this with clear presentation of new material, hands on application during lab skills performance and help the students connect & apply the information through problem solving excercises.
Nia,
For me one of the benefits of teaching is getting to know new students on a regular basis. They bring such rich backgrounds and I learn so much from them. We establish rapport which is a the foundation of growth for both of us as we get to know each other.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Michelle,
They will. You will be building some very strong connecting points for your students using this approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Nia,
Thank you for your comments about methods of creating learning strategies for your students. These approaches are engaging for the students and help them to maintain focus throughout the course.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
