I think what she is saying is that having to make an effort to teach to all 4 styles is too overwhelming to do while teaching.
It is easier if you create a lesson plan before you teach, and while creating that plan, you can work in different elements of the different learning styles.
It all comes down to planning. I try and plan on different ways to teach the same information because not everyone will pick up on it the first time.
Barbara,
I think you are going to really enjoy the success your students will have from using this approach. Your targeted approach is going to yield good results for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Barbara,
There a number of them listed within websites that deal with learning preferences. I don't have a favorite one. I select one that will work for that group of students so I bounce around the websites and select one.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My understanding of multiple intelligences will have quite an affect on how I work with students who are struggling. Once I determine how they process information, I can cater my recommendations to them more specifically. For example, if I have a student who is a visual learner struggling with memorization, I will ask them to write whatever it is they want to memorize and color code with differently colored highlighters the order which they want to learn it. That way allows them to remember based on color and by watching their hands write it.
Would you recommend using a short questionnaire to quickly determine where my 20+ students are as far as learning preferences? Do you know of such a questionnaire?
Emily,
You have a very comprehensive approach to including the different learning preferences of your students. You are providing them a balanced approach to learning and I know this results in more engagement.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree using all of the methods usually keep a class engaged.
Demonstrate and explain the process at the same time applies to all learners and showing what the end result should look like enables them to reproduce what was shown.
I try to apply instructional strategies that will reach different learning styles. For example, when lecturing on a particular chapter (auditory learners), I will use a PowerPoint for the visual learners. I encourage the tactile learners to write notes (this is also how I learn). I also allow students to peer review each other's work at times, which breaks the monotony of having them listen to teacher-directed lecture.
Shannon,
I am sure you are going to like the results you receive from using this type of instructional approach.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I love the idea of grouping like-minded intelligences together. In general, I find that most of my students come in knowing the best way they learn. Just by doing a simple survey, I could easily put the like-minded learners together. By grouping intelligences together, I could make sure to emphasize key points in the way each particular group would understand best.
I include the four teaching methods to reach all students and their multiple intelligences.
Recognizing that individual students have different learning abiltities and derterming those needs prior to starting the teaching component will enhance the learning experience.
Thadeus,
Great to hear. I think using these different applications will be not only effective but also make teaching even more fun. I know it does for me.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Understanding multiple intelligences enables me to understand that everyone's ways of understanding and learning varies very much according to what has worked for them in the past. This is what i have to adapt inorder to bridge the gap to include everyone.
Understanding multiple inteligences will help me create a more varied learning environment to help cater to other learning styles and add more texture to my classroom presentations.
Ted,
Great to hear and I know you will be able to enjoy even greater teaching success as you use your understanding in your instructional planning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Improved uderstanding of multiple intelligences will help my teaching by more clearly identifying learners dominant intelligences and delivering course material in a manner incorporating individual learners information processing styles.
Sharon,
Great way to instruct. You are hitting on so many different learning strategies that I know your students are able to learn the needed concepts and skills related to your course in an efficient and effective way.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Brian,
This is one of the challenges of teaching. We need to strive to find and deliver the different instructional deliveries so we can hit on the different learning preferences of our students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
