Hi Joseph,
Your approach to being an educator has to be of great comfortable and support to your students. By knowing their names from the beginning you are showing them you care and then by being available you are reinforcing it. This is what will keep your students coming back to your class throughout the phase.
Gary
Hi Marc,
You are right about adult learners. They are there for the expressed purpose of receiving an education that will enable them to achieve their career goals. As educators we need to zero in on the methods that will enable these students to see relevancy and application to what is being taught.
Gary
Hi Edward,
You make two very good points about increasing your teaching effectiveness. The second point is critical in keeping students engaged in learning. The tie between their personal experiences and what they are learning is key. This helps them to identify with what is going on in class each time it meets.
Gary
Hello Dr. Meers, Great Question! I see from my experience that an individual's "Best Method's" for learning are often the key to helping them succeed. I would propose that many people like myself are not as successful with the standard lecture presentation that occurs at many learning facilities around the world. When I can connect with a student in a practical way, then I see the proverbial light bulb switch on. The lessons must apply to the real world in some way. More importantly we as educators must be able and willing to find a practical application to the lesson that fits our student's learning style.
Understanding a learner's characteristics and style is key. Being an instructor at a vocational school, I must hone in on each student. I have some students that are intellectual learners. Some students are hands on learners. Some students can handle anything that I throw their way and I also have students that have learning disabilities.Within a few days of observing students while teaching class, an experienced instructor should be able to identify most of his students needs, passions, attitudes and learning styles. He can then structure and plan the rest of the course to fullfill the needs of the class. He should, also, be able to identify who his key players are so that he can utilize their talents with peer to peer learning activities which will allow him time to help the ones that need that extra hand or push.
I have made a huge priority to learn every students name by the end of our first session together. Another thing that works for me is the "open door policy." Reassuring students that I will be there for them is a great way to get fearfull students to come out of their shell.
If they need a mentor fiqure or just an open ear I will always make the time.
Since the goal is to facilitate learning, having an understanding of the characteristics of the students is essential to the instructional planning process. Adult learners typically require examples/references more relevant to their own experience than others do and having that understanding helps the instructor create the most effective examples to illustrate their point.
I find that determining a students learning characteristics allows me to adjust my teaching approach to suit the needs of the student.
It makes for a better educational experience if you can find something the student can relate to through thier own personal experiences.
I found this interesting and very applicable to the students I teach.
Hi Misty,
That is correct. Instructors need to know their students so they can plan their instruction around those needs. What are some of the ways that you use to get to know your students better?
Gary
Hi Manuel,
Customizing instruction is a need for all instructors. This process allows instructors to be creative and exciting with their delivery.
Gary
Knowing what is important to students, as well as how they learn, is key to planning curriculum that will meet these needs.
Instructors can better plan their day and tailor the course materials to the students in the class. It not a "one size fits all."
Hi George,
Good strategy. As you have said you have to be flexible if you are going to be successful as an educator. Things happen that dictate that you modify the direction you were going to go with the lesson. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Being familiar with and understanding most of the elements of learning help the general or specific planning for a given course or a single class.
Based on this understanding I can greatly reduce the unexpected to happen, and with this knowledge/experience I am able to deal with it promptly and effectively.
Hi Lawrence,
Well said. You have to be flexible if you are going to reach the majority of your students. This is the sign of a dedicated professional educator. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Hi Terry,
This is a good use of the students as resources. By using the life experiences of your students they can use each other as learning helpers.
Gary
I believe that it is very important to remember that our students are in class to learn. I use daily lesson plans and timelines to prepare for today's class, but I know that I need to be flexible and adjust them according to the class. Not every class learns at the same rate, nor are they always as motivated or committed to learn. I try to make it real or as current as possible, to help the younger students comprehend the material better. Bottom line is that you need to know your students early on and prepare your class accordingly.
You break the class up into groups,so some students that are better at certain things can also help the ones that are strugling, building the nedd to work as a team.
I have students that are both ways, and I pay close attention to who needs what.
