Instructing towards the four different basic variations is something we are trained to do. Typically, the majority of students in the automotive environment at our facility are tactile/visual learners. However, since the need to understand theories of operation and diagnostics cannot always cater to this style, I'll make efforts to push each student into a little bit of adaptation. An emphasis is placed on expanding and developing the other learning methods for each student, while still allowing most of the educational process to be delivered with a focus on the student's preferred style. To assist with the auditory method, simply walking around the classroom at times while conducting a lecture seems to work well in this regard.
Miyuki,
My daughter-in-law is a trilingual person as well and as a result I really appreciate your comments on understanding and working with ELL students. She had wonderful teachers that gave her the support she needed when she needed it and as a result she is a successful professional today. Keep up your efforts and the offering of your support. You are making a difference in the lives of many people as a result.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding multiple intelligence and preparing individualized lessons will initially be time-consuming but as you get used to identifying the multiple intelligence of your students, it will be easier to plan your instructional units and activities towards having an effective learning among your students.
Being that I am trilingual and come from two completely different ethnicities in addition to having lived in the United States for the last ten years gives me incredible insight into dealing with different cultural and intellectual backgrounds. My experiences in living in both Latin and Asian countries allows me to personally relate my own experiences to my students in ways they can understand. Recently I had a student that did not speak English very well. I refused to speak to her in Spanish during class time but prior to or after class I was able to translate my instructions. This student felt so at ease that she gave me a glowing review on the end of the quarter survey.
Jonathan,
It is so important to offer variety and change of pace in our classes if we are to keep our students engaged. These strategies will also keep the students focused on the content they need to acquire and skills to develop.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The obvious thought is to vary your method of delivery. Using lecture, followed by group work , independent study etc. will give you a good idea of the methods each individual student can best thrive in.
Shannon,
Good sequential strategy of progressive introduction of leaning steps. This way at the end of the class the students can see clearly how they have expanded their knowledge and skill levels.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In culinary I write the process, dicuss what I am going to demo, demo the procedure and then let the students taste. Review
I feel that this will only enhance my ability to work with students more effectively. I will utilize the strategies in clinic and classroom to allow the students to shine in their own way.
In our program there is a basic concept. Each student interrupts it in a different way. As the instructor, we must adapt to how the student learns and keep them on track with the basic concept.
Jackie,
I commend you for your strategy of customizing a standardized course to meet the needs of your students. This greatly enhances learning and supports their career growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
James,
Yes, it does. They are able to absorb more content through their preferred learning preference format.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I found that if you teach each student as a individual in their type of learning style it helps that student to grasp the task
I begin each quarter of the course by asking my students how they prefer to learn. Then, I take the syllabus I have been given by my school, and, with the objectives listed on the syllabus, the course materials listed, etc. I tweak my lesson plans to meet the needs of my students.
Samuel,
You have a very effective instructional strategy for reaching all of your students. The ABC format reaches out to the different preferences in terms of learning for the students and gives them varied ways to learn if they are willing to put forth the effort needed to be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think understanding the multiple intelligences that students possess enables me as an instructor to plan what delivery strategy will "reach" the students most effectively. Granted, I have yet to see a class of students with exactly the same multiple intelligences (not sure it's even possible), but I know that the variety of students presents a wealth of learning opportunity - for me and the other students.
I typically consider several factors (such as environment, experience level, motivations for attending school, etc.) to help influence my delivery planning. I basically create an ABC plan for each class. The plan, based on my investigation of the student population and historical feedback from students, becomes the 'A' plan (or the one I would most likely execute first). The "B" plan is an adapted version of the 'A' plan (covers the same content and objectives but includes different exercises and technologies to reach different intelligences). I would execute 'B' if the evidence of trying 'A' suggests that the original approach is largely ineffective for most students.
The 'C' plan is essentially a bare "framework" of the class objectives where I can deliver the instruction with a methodology that is 'created as I go'. This is for those occasions where there is a significant variation in student intelligences present or a desire by a number of students to explore less familiar intelligences - thereby developing a dynamic shift to new, multiple intelligences......
Fay,
Step by step information sharing is how you get students engaged and using their learning preferences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If someone is an auditory learner, you would speak to them, if they were a visual learner, you show them pictures,if they are kinesthetic, you let them learn by doing and so forth.
James,
I like this strategy because it spreads the learning venues out beyond just what you are sharing with the students. Also, they get to know their other classmates better through the sharing of their discussion board projects.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Barbara,
Good point and one that I think will work well for such students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
