Sybil,
Good way to help make math a part of their total educational process. The more connections they see and applications they make the more value they will associate with the content you are offering.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to teach by explaination of the math, and then solving problems. When Possible I will show a few different ways to solve them and let the student know they should start with the method that is most comfortable for them. I try to use a variety of visual, auditory, and tactile techniques to each problem when possible.
As an administrator at a career college, it is so very important to take the time to learn the individual student's learning styles. Many of the students are older and were not given IEPs in high school. By talking and tutoring these students, I can learn the different learning styles to accomodate their learning styles and test taking strategies can be met.
Lora,
Good point and a valuable one to remember as you prepare your instructional delivery. The more you know about them the more accurate you can be in your information sharing.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Hi Gary,
If you have a good understanding of the characteristics of your learners, then planning will be easier. Maybe some students are more visual learners and need visual aides to help them grasp the materials. For example, adding more slide shows for a science class would be a very helpful for this type of learner.
It helps because you can plan your lesson around the different types of learning and not on just one.
Jerry,
Good way to get a "read" on your students. With information like this you can target your instructional content and delivery more accurately and with greater impact for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sean,
Good point and one we need to remember as we select and structure our instructional delivery. By customizing our approach this way we will be able to reach a wider range of learning preferences in our students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach at a private technical learning center and most of my students come in with predefined objectives relating to the subject material being taught. By asking each student before class begins what they have done career wise to date and what they expect to do once they have completed their course of study greatly aides me in better relating the material being taught towards their expectations and needs. During the presentation I very frequently ensure what they need to know in a real world scenario in order to be successful.
Each person learns at his/her level independent of other students. I have to keep in mind that I must focus on the specific learning needs of each student while trying to help the remainder of students at their own cognitive learning styles.
Conchi,
This is not uncommon on the part of adult learners. There are many reasons for this but one of the main ones is what you have listed. They are fearful of being judged or if not judged at least seen as not be ready to be successful in the course. They have been out of school for a number of years and their self confidence is low because they don't feel that they have the skills in technology needed to be competitive in the course. So anything that instructors can do to help students be successful early in the course so they can build their self confidence and when they do this you will find that they start to share more and contribute at a greater level in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One of the challenges I have faced a few times with adult learners is them not wanting to share their personal experiences with others. I always thought it was because some people were simply shy; however, in the recent years I have started to think they are fearful of being judge, not particularly by their fellow students, but surprisingly, by the instructor. Is this something that somebody else has seen in their classroom? does it have to do with the "old" (before the 70s) education system that they went through?
Thanks!
Conchi
Michael,
This is how you coordinate all of the components of the course into a targeted delivery because you know the characteristics of your students and their learning preferences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding student learning characteristics will aide in determining the use and balance of materials: books, video, guide online review, lecture / discussion.
helps in giving information in a way it is understood
Joel,
They need to see this connection. By doing so they see the value of the content and skills being acquired and how all of this new knowledge impacts their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is important to relate course material to students degree programs to help ensure understanding
to the students I teach, it is essential to know their needs and expectations of the course I offer.
Jacquelin,
Right you are about needing to know the learning needs of your students. Keeping a "read" of your students will enable you to make adjustments as needed so your students will continue progress in the course successfully.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have noticed that different learns can require different ways to present information. I have some students who are not as in touch with technology and require more instruction which I am able to provide during independent study hours. Other learners require very little instruction during labs and prefer to be left alone but usually have more technical questions. I think it is important to know when to either give more attention or less attention as needed when teaching on a one on one level.
