Deanna,
I think this as well. As learners students need to see how they can "connect the dots" between abstract concepts and realistic applications. The more examples we can give them the greater their skills will be at doing such.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Cecilia,
With your experience as a student in using different learning styles you are able to adapt your instructional delivery to incorporate these different styles. This approach helps your students to achieve success and learn how to learn through different deliveries.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that if you try to make abstract information relate to something that occurs in everyone's everyday life it would be easier to understand and to remember.
Wow, I think that's a great idea. It probably also serves to keep students awake. I think a lot of times people aren't fully aware of what their learning style is. I believe I'm a visual learner, but in my long educational career, I had to learn other styles to survive academically.
Steven,
By following this format I know you are going to see great learning outcomes from your students. You will be using their learning preferences so they can connect with the content.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Understanding the basics of learning will help guide my instructional process. It will help me to better manage the flow of new material presented to my students, while constantly reinforcing material already covered. During the delivery of new course material I will be more attentive to using all four major learning styles.
Amer,
Great plan you have developed for yourself as you strive to increase your instructional effectiveness. I am sure with these strategies you are going to be able to maximize your time with your students and they will take away both the content and skills needed to be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Part one of this question on how will understanding the basics of learning benefit you as an instructor?
I understood that learning is a process resulting from interaction with a setting in which one finds oneself at any given time.
As an instructor I will make the most of my student’s interaction and on going participation in a classroom setting and lab (Machine Shop) by:
Objectives that are clearly stated on the board every day and on the shop floor, a list of the new terminology that will be introduced throughout the lecture, and I will be using my lesson plan as a road map to my lecture and adapting to my students learning style.
I will connect with my students and engage them throughout my lecture.
To generate enthusiasm to the subject being throughout, I will always draw the connection and relevancy to my student goals and to their career advancement.
In my 6 weeks 5 hours a day module my students learn about CNC (Computer Numerical Control). These machines require a programming language as well as people who are qualified to set-up and run the CNC machines.
Therefore as an instructor the training of CNC programs and people to set-up these machines is my job.
I truly have more respect and appreciation for my responsibly and my job after I have read this paragraph about learning.
“Learning as trying to take a drink out of a fire hose without being scared or knocked down by the streamâ€
(Not being able to process the content)
This vivid picture is a good reminder for me when I see an inquisitive look on my student’s face when they don’t get it.
My response, in turn, will be representing my material in a different light so I can bring the point across.
I will assess in their understanding through benchmarks of the content of my lecture. Then move the lecture forward according to the lesson plan (road map).
My benchmarks are projects to be made on the CNC machine through program writing and program verification on the CNC simulator and eventually by making the part on the CNC machine, one project for every week.
(This process may involve more then one program every week for a period of 6 weeks.)
Weekly grading system
15 % for Homework (mathematics, blue print reading and
machining fundamental theory)
25 % for Weekly Test.
60 % for CNC Project.
My mission throughout every week is to trouble-shoot with my students on their programs, guide them in set-up skills and executing the program safely, and make the part without any injures to the student or any machine crashes.
In addition to the daily lecture I also answer questions in regard to the homework 20 minutes before the end of the class (all homework are due on Monday, so Friday I allow 30 minutes for the homework questions).
Part two of the question.
Would you give example of how you might adapt your instructional strategy or teaching methods as a result of understanding how brain functions and how learning occurs?
With approximately one billion cells in our brain, called neurons, using axons for sending chemical charges in the form of electrical impulses to other brain cells, this transmission process is called synapses.
Since our brain is like a serious of networked computers linked together, these computers (brain parts) are working simultaneously throughout the life of the owner.
Different tasks, such as breathing, heart beating, smelling, hearing (survival), intellectual processing (learning), emotional response (behavior), and social interaction (relationship).
Information during the first 18 months of a baby’s life are gained through senses such as smell, touch, and mobility challenges.
The second spurt occurring in the brain takes place before puberty giving them an eagerness to learn. The last take spurt takes place at the ages of 24 – 25 (This developmental phase completes the maturation of brain).
I work with adults at the age of 18 and older.
Attention and retention of information learned is a key to learning. While adults are challenged in decisions, teenagers are dealing with intellectual maturity and development.
The life making direction decisions are made while developing intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.
I will adapt my instructional strategy and teaching methods by representing the information in progressive steps from simple to complex while assessing throughout the process my students’ level of understanding.
At the end of each lecture (lesson plan) I will present key questions. From my student’s answers I will be able to determine what part of my lecture needs to be revisited and to give a clearer explanation of the newly learned concept.
I think that this information will greatly help my as an instructor to pay closer attention to the assessment of my students so that I can compensate and build my classroom plan around those varying styles
I think by understanding how students learn is very important in the classroom. I know personally that I have incorporated many different styles of teaching. I will use power points, lecture, wrting on the whiteboard as well as calling on students to come to the board and do basically diagrams and fill ins for questions asked. I know the other students in the class enjoy the feedback from their fellow students.
Teaching all different ages, some students just got out of school so they are in a better or more practiced learning mode. When teaching a student that has been out of a school setting for a while, I will have to be specific on what they need to remember or take notes on. I believe this will help along with making sure they get the hands on training they need so they will retain the information longer.
Victor,
You are right in terms of your comments on how to engage students. Variety and activities really helps to keep the students moving forward with their learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Edward,
I agree with your comments since I teach from 4 until 10 pm. I have to get them engaged, relaxed and active if I am going to be successful. This way all of us get through the long class sessions.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have learned that the age of the student plays a big part on the learning abilities and retention.
The way the lecture is constructed using not only semantics but integrating it with action, color as in visual and manual where possible will enlist the best mechanism for retention and understanding.
I have understood how the brain fuctions for sometime now and being primarily an evening course instructor I definitely see the difficulty
in their brains being full when the get to class.
I have found that they always learn better when they are laughing and having fun, it also helps when they have more hands on lab time.
Christine,
Yes, it is. What are some ways that you develop an understanding of your students need for success? Thanks for sharing with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Michael,
Using this method I think you are going to achieve very good results. Your students will remember the content as well as see the applications that can be made of it. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Diane,
This comprehensive approach will yield good results for both your students and yourself. They are going to be engaged and focused on the content being offered.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Wayne,
Well said. I have been teaching for a long time and I am still amazed at how little I know about how the brain works and how students acquire information. This what for me makes teaching so much fun because I get to be creative in my delivery each time I enter a classroom.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
