I believe that understanding a student's learning characteristics keeps teachers alert that there are different learning styles, so in presenting the course material each session the basic learning styles are taken into consideration, i.e., visual, tactile, audio, etc.
Understanding things about students from their personal profile alerts an instructor to be aware of cultural differences, disabilities, etc. in preparing examples and homework assignments that may need modification at times.
It has been about 10 years since I had a course in learning styles, what are the current labels for these styles today?
By understanding the learners characteristics help the instructor to decide what would be the best way to present information to the learner.
Gary I would love any help in this area that I can get, I'm very curious about the "Talent Key " assesment,I feel if there was better way to identify the learning or comp issue it would make my job as an instructor alot easier and be able to help the students by being able to identfy their particular issues sooner, and at the very least be able to help them at an earlier stage by having the ability to identify their,I hate to say disability, and really instill confidence in themselves and confident that I was able to give them the information they need to succede...Only question is ....how do we start,or better said,How do I start???...
Hi Christopher,
I have been researching the assessment of the different multiple intelligences as identified by Howard Gardner. I and my research associates have develop the "Talent Key" assessment for identifying the three highest processing formats within the seven intelligences. This information gives up insight on how people process and internalize new information. The example you site is dead on in terms of people being able to respond verbally with the correct answers and have a difficult or impossible time with writing responses to test questions. Those individuals are verbal/linguistic and see things in word form. The musical and spatial individuals see and hear things and then translate them into order and form. By knowing the three primary intelligences of your students you would be able to help them with their processing of new information. This is why the students are receptive to tutoring, they want to succeed as you well know. I think you have a great idea in terms of helping your students. If I can be of any help to you in your efforts please let me know.
Gary
GARY I READ THIS RESPONCE AND WAS VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR REPLY,AS I SAID EARLIER I WORK AT AN INNER CITY SCHOOL AND HAVE HAD SOME STUDENTS WITH READING ISSUES I SHOULD SAY.IHAVE HAD STUDENTS WHOM I'VE WATCHED BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK BUT CRASH AND BURN ON TESTS, I HAVE AT TIMES SET UP TUTORING FOR READING AND COMPRHENSION IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE WRITTEN EXAM AND FOUND AT TIMES WHEN I HAVE GIVEN THEM AN ORAL VERSION OF THE EXAM THEY HAVE RATTLED THE CORRECT ANSWERS OF WITHOUT DELAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT BUT THEY HAVE PROVED THEY KNOW THE MATERIAL AND EVEN AFTER THEY "PASSED" I ASK THEM FOR A COMMITMENT TO ADDITIONAL TUTORING SO THEY'LL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THINGS AFTER THEY'RE I THE REAL WORLD...I HAVE YET TO HAVE ONE SAY NO... DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA??? I'VE BEEN DOING THIS ON MY OWN AND HAVEN'T REALLY SAID TO MUCH TO OTHERS WHO JUST MIGHT WANT TO PASS THEM THROUGH IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN....THANX CHRIS
Hi Jason,
An essential part of being a teacher is the establishing of rapport with your students. From your forum response it appears that your are very much attuned to noticing what the students need to keep the engaged and focusing on their learning.
Gary
I have found that observing students behaviours during lectures and labs allows me to formulate a strategy of interaction with them.This helps me relate to the students when class is in session.I can adjust my teaching to reach all the students without leaving anyone feeling neglected.This allows the students to be comfortable and learn easier.
Hi Christopher,
Good model of using student learning groups. I to use learning groups in my classes and find them very valuable for getting content across to the students. The students that aren't as willing to speak up in class will take part in the small group discussions. Also the students translate a lot of the information into understanding for themselves through talking it over in their groups. Your last point is a good one as well. By being focused on progress and the future failure becomes an option they don't consider. Thanks for sharing.
Gary
I FEEL THE BETTER I UNDEERSTAND THE LEARNERS GOALS,INTERGRATE THAT WITH THEIR PAST EXPERINCES I CAN BETTER TAILOR HIS/HER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIAL AT HAND, IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS EXPERIENCED I CAN BYBPASS SOME OF THE BASIC STUFF AND KEEP THEM INTERESTD IN THE SUBJECT MATTER,IF THEY ARE INEXPERIENCED THEN I TRY AND APPLY A SIMPLER TECHNIQUE AND MORE BASIC LANGUAGE SO THEY HAVE A BETTER MORE COMPLETE GRASP OF WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT.I'M REAL BIG ON TEAM WORK WHICH THEY WILL NEED TO SUCCEDE AND I FEEL THEY WILL LEARN FASTER AND RETAIN MORE INFORMATION IF THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER AND SHARE THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR LACK THERE OF TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS SET BEFORE THEM,I TRY TO INTEGRATE THIS WHERE POSSIBLY FAILING THE COURSE IS THE FARTHEST THING FROM THEIR MINDS AND KEEP THEM FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND.IF FAILURE IS NOT AT THE FOREFRONT OF THEIR MINDS THAN THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT AN OPTION...
Hi Donna,
Well said and right on. As an instructor we have to be flexible with our delivery as we learn more about the learning needs of our students. It sounds like from your forum response that you are very sensitive to your students' needs and are striving to help them learn in the best way they can.
Gary
Hi Larry,
There is a balance that needs to be maintained between the two groups of learners to be effective with both. You see how the two differ so you can work to reach both. I like to group my different age groups together to use the skills of both groups while helping them to develop respect for what each group brings to the classroom.
Gary
it helps you plan how you will teach and the pace to set the class
What I have found works very well is at the beginning of each section to be taught, I ask the class, what do you already know about the subject? What would you like to know about the subject? This seems to help with the planning process. It gives you an idea of how and what each student is thinking, and what they think they should achieve from your class. If you are familiar with your material you should have no problem restructuring the course content to meet the needs of the students.
Hi Jack,
Right on about needing to know the needs of your students. You can't help if you don't know the needs. By getting constant feedback from your students you can keep your finger on the pulse of the class and then respond to the emerging needs.
Gary
When dealing with students from the work force (more mature) and students just out of high school ( no life experiences) understanding the learning characteristics of each group allows the instructor to better understand the learning level of each group of new students. a more mature class would better understand lectures base on life experiences verses a younger group that might need more hands on demonstrations more than lectures
if you know your students characteristics you develope a plan of action to best instucte you students. the students will benefit from a good plan fo action more than if you do not know what the students needs are to be sucessful
Hi Scott,
What you are doing that many instructors miss is to use the human resources that are in your class. By using those that learn at a faster pace or have had previous experience you are enabling those students that need some additional instructional support to have that support plus benefit from getting to know a fellow classmate better. This will help with their networking for use later when they are out in the field.
Gary
It gives the instructor a basis in which to set the tempo. When i taught electrical i started off each class with the attitude like they have never seen a multimeter. by the second day of lecture you can pretty much figure out who "got it" and who needs improvement then i would base class on the slower guys not the faster. Then when my fast guys would be done or aceing the class i would have them team up with the slower guys to help mentor. this also builds confidence in the better student by him feeling he really does have it.
Hi Dennis,
You are right about needing to know the differences between and among your students. Also, by knowing their learning preferences and offering instruction within the different modalities an instructor will be able to keep students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
Understanding the learner's needs is very important because many learners retain information differently. Knowing each student's needs can guide an instructor to the correct modifications to make for each student. Please also keep in mind that some students may not convey these opinions about themselves, to you.
