Hello Dr. Meers
I think it helps in the intructional process in the sense that not all students are the same. Every student has an individual way of learning or assimilating information. In the technical college I work at we have a wide range of students, from young high school graduates to displaced workers in their 60's. I have found that a 60 year old student does not learn like the 20 year old student. So in my classroom I try to pair up two different age groups as classroom & lab partners. This seems to really make a difference in their learning abillity. As one may help the other. One comming from a technological high school environment & the other coming from a hands on workforce. At the end of my class these two students have helped each other tremendously. Two students from different eras working together that is a sight!
It allows better flexibility in providing learning opportunities. Understandig gives me the individual measurements for customtailored suit to fit that student.
By understanding learner characteristic the
instructor is able to plan activities
that will benefit the individual learner,
tactile learners could be given hands on learning
projects while auditory learners may be
given videoes to help them understand what
is being taught.
at my school we teach both long time workers and people right out oh Hi Sch. This makes it hard to meet all their needs so I try to steer the middle road when trying to meet so many different needs
Understanding the different learner characteristics our students have can help instructors set up their lesson plans. Coming from a vocational school background, our students range from those that haven't finished high school due to personal and family problems, teen pregnancies, impoverished families, to those that have been out in the workforce and now want change. In order to keep these students wanting to learn we need to meet their personal and academic needs.
I would answer that an understanding of learning characteristics would help in the instructional planning process because you are prepared for all your students. The module reminded me that my students are different, even though I try to see them as equals.
I teach at an automotive trade school. Students are all ages,backrounds,and social structures. Its hard to treat them all the same because they all learn at different levels and paces. And some have no social skills at all. So I guess I teach more than auto.
This is the starting block of a learning plan. In general you will have a ideal on who is in your class, and how to go about teaching them. you can also learn from the students as they follow the plans.
An understanding of leaner characteristics help you to identify the needs of each student when planning your instructions. This may include using various means of delivering the information so that all students are able to grasp the lesson. ie; lecture, show and tell, question and answer or review the lesson during hands on excersise
Understanding characteristics is very important. I my class I may have recent highschool graduates who dont know a wrench from a screw driver, adult students who are working in a dead end field and looking for a career change, also they may include adult students who are already working in the automotive field and are looking to hone their skills and aquire certifications in the field. these different characters will required specific attention. We have large classes, so we break into groups for hands on activities. I will mix the groups so that they do not include all strong students or all weak students. That way I can have the stronger students assist me wit their group. This gives them a feeling of accomplishment and they are still learning as they are assisting. As for the weaker student they feel more confident in taking on the challenge by knowing that there is a stonger student in their group to assist them if I am involved with an other group at the time
The understanding of learner characteristics will be helpful in the instructors planing.i like to change up my way of teaching. i try to make it simple and easy for all to learn.if someone does not understand,i will explain it differently.if that works for 1 class,i will try it in another.every class is different.
The learning characteristics of a class can really change from one class to the next one. For instance,the morning class might have students fresh out of high school while the night class might have ahigher average age. You might spend more time controlling the enthusiasm of the morning class while the night class might need some refreshing on how to study and how to adapt to a school environment which they probably haven't been used to in a long time.
In many cases the biggest obstacle to student learning is language facility. In our school students will be employed in the "real world" doing testing on infrastructure(nondestructive testing), detecting hazardous materials or HAZMAT, and construction/repair with Saturation Diving equipment. In any of these fields the stakes are high and so too should be the performance. I cannot allow students to "slide through" when public and personal safety could be an issue. I think students should be better screened and tested before entry into these classes is allowed.
Knowing that everyone doesn't learn the same way or at the same rate indeed helps. For my classes in general I cover it the same. Lecture, reading, and hands on. This covers the three basic ways people take in information. The few who I find are struggling are basically the ones who are not putting forth the effort to learn. Always late, not attending class, and not studying the material for one reason or another. Of course, when confronted about it, these people have every learning disability known to man. The most common one is the "This Stuff Is Boring" Syndrome. I have found that simple motivation, inspiration and attitude is the key to get anyone to learn. Young, old, or "challenged". Even on a day or two that I am in a bad mood or really don't feel like teaching I walk into that class everyday and with a roaring voice fire at them, "Are ya'll (cause I'm from Texas) ready to continue the adventure!" If they don't hoot and holler and raise the roof I give them a disgusted look and go monotone. I tell them if thats the way they want me to be then so be it. I then ask them again in a roaring voice and even the sourpuss people having a bad day do not hesitate to show some excitement in order to fire me up to teach and from there they are mine. It seems to get rid of or overshadow all the anxieties and worries during class. If I really act like I want to teach, all of them pretty much want to learn. With that and learning how to relate what I am teaching to other things that interest them, they seem to pay attention and take the time to learn, because if their "idiot" teacher can be successful, "so can I".
It gets everyone involved at all levels
It allows us as teacher to assess the individuals in our classes, to understand who needs more close personal attention; such as the student who needs directions explained twice, as opposed to the student who just needs materials and a critic of finished work. By having an understanding of all of our students we can make the class run smoothly and benefit all involved.
Understanding learner characteristics is the key to modifing the lesson plan to accomadate different students. i.e. their age, background, ethnicnicity, etc. Though our lesson plan is already written out for us and we must follow it, administration (in their wisdom) has also given us the green light to extend or add to the lesson as much as needed (within reason) to acomadate our different students. We can then focus on learning and gaining expirience at making these modifications.
well i believe it is very important to understand the different types out there and i like to blend them together .it seems to make it a bit more intresting for all the learners.
By tailoring the lesson plan to fit there needs. Make the lesson interesting to them and leave plenty of time for questions and answers. Then when all in understood, move on to the next lesson.
Understanding learner characteristics is important . It allows the instructor to understand where the students are coming from , what their fears are , and what challenges (real or perceived) they may face . Adult learners sometimes may feel pressure because of their age or the fact that other people depend on their skills for income .
