Get Your Students Hired
Billy,
I think you are going to like results you get from asking these questions. These questions are going to help you to know your students much better so you can customize your instructional delivery to meet their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like this approach. I am going to use questions like (What do you want to get out of this course? What are your fears and frustrations? What are your career goals?) I feel that these questions will not only keep the class engaged, but also it will allow me to see which parts of the course that I will need to expand on. Also it will help the students over come fears. So that the student can over come those fears at class rather than in the field.
I think it is important to understand that almost everyone has a differnt learning style and that in order to run a class that reachs everyone you need to be able to present the information in a multitude of ways. On any given topic I lecture, give homework, have group projects and disscussions, and show videos related. In this way I can be sure to reach everyone.
Dr. Fu-Sen,
Good way to provide support to and for your students. By knowing all that you can about them as individuals and their life experiences you have a starting point from which you can customize your approach to meet their learning needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe understanding learner characteristics is crucial in helping instruction in the classroom, since different types of people have different learning methods. I always aim at trying to see what would be the most effective teaching method to apply in the classroom so that the majority of the students will be able to understand the material more quickly. For the other ones, I always tend to provide tutorials that would cater to their specific learning styles so that everyone on the classroom would get the needed teaching style that would help them learn the material.
Edwin,
This is a good point because the more you know about your students the more accurately you can target your instruction. This will result in more engaged student and a greater level of student satisfaction.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding each students characteristics helps determine the way the instructional material is delivered. I query the students about what they learned in the previous course and where they had difficulty. I use visual aids to promote better understanding where needed to enhance the technical aspects of the instruction along with real world application.I find some students have trouble understanding why they need some of the material that they are getting.
Michael,
Good way to set the stage for the upcoming course. The students have the opportunity to get settled into the course and learn about their classmates. Then they are presented with the course requirements and expectations so they can see what they are going to need to do to be successful in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Meeting students on their first meeting is extremely every important. I always prepare all copies and all papers work for students. I must learn all students name at the first meeting by introduce myself to the class and asking students introduce themselves, and what's do they do and what is reason they attend my class? What do they expect when they finish the course? Most importance you must be prepare and be on time. I try to explain to students all the questions they might have in their mind. First impression very importance. All students all to learn from the best, and you have to do your best to make your students happy to come and enjoy your class.
Thomas,
This is a good way to connect the dots for your students. By having them list their goals at the beginning and then reviewing them at the end you complete the learning circle for them. This way they can see their growth and development as it has occurred during the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
There are some good resources that survey student preferences in terms of learning. I've found they can be helpful. At the very least they keep top of mind for me to vary my delivery methods.
Understanding my learner charachteristics helps me anticipate the various challenges any particular group presents. I teach in a "Joint" environment which includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine personnel from all different types of specailties. Understanding their backgrounds, their specialties, and their years of experience helps determine in level and depth the subjects will have to be taught at. Some grooups are very senior and experienced while other groups are considerably younger with less experience and from various specialties which don't have a lot in common with the class material. Every now and then I end up with a foreign military service person in my class which brings about yet additional challenges. Another question I like asking of all learners in my class is "what are you hoping to gain from this classroom experience?" I ask them to write it down on a piece of paper with their names on it and turn it in to me. Before doing so, we discuss what each wrote to help others think about additional goals to achieve in the classroom. At the end of the course we discuss whether they achieved what their goal was.
Jonida,
The more information you have about your students the more accurately you can customize you instructional approach. You make a good point about the accommodation factor in relation to knowing the characteristics of your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
An understanding of a learner characteristics is very important in the instructional planning process. This way we will be able to adjust the learning material to accommodate each of the students.
Angella,
Thank you for sharing this strategy with us. This is a good way to get students to think about the value of the course and why they are enrolled in it. I know you are impacting the lives of your students in many ways. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding my student is my basic outline for instruction. Sure, I follow my lesson plan, but the intricasies of instruction are based solely upon who my students are and why are they there. During the first class, I pass out an empty form letter to my students. They are asked to write a letter to their future selves. A letter of inspiration that details their goals and what they think they'll have to overcome to reach those goals. When I encounter a student that is struggling with one of those obstacles, I have them read that letter again. It truly helps them to regroup and refocus on the prize.
Stephen,
Bring your years of experience and understanding of how to relate to individuals to the class and you will do fine. Humans of all ages relate to someone that cares about them as individuals and is there to help them be successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
it was an interesting course in that I am entering the teaching areana later in life and share the age diversity concerns. Having this brought out like this, I hope to be able to relate since I have been both the young and older student.
When they come to class they feel a bit insecure to say that it has been a long time since they were in school- but they take courage to say because they desire change and better future, better life for themselves and their children