Dear Dr. Meers and Class, this is an extremely important aspect of any instructor's arsenal, not just for retention of those students, but also to facilitate learning of the subject matter. As we know, students come from very diverse backgrounds so an instructor must be prepared to devise techniques that will appeal to all students, not leaving any feeling left out. This would include students who may suffer from serious shyness, or those who have some form of disability, that instructors need to understand in order to address in a way that will not make the individual student feel exposed or left out. It is a tightrope that can be honed by knowing learner characteristics found in all teaching environments.
M. O'Connor
Carol,
This is a good point because students come from some very difficult situations and yet they are there every time the class meets. Knowing some about them will help when it comes to instructional planning and customizing delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding where students are coming from and the life situations they are influenced by helps the instructor to deliver worthwhile and relevant instruction.
Instructors will have a better understanding of how students will retain information taught to them.
Monica,
Right you are. The more we have to work with in terms of knowing our students the easier it is to customize our instruction to support their learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Mary,
Good plan and good way to reach each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The better you know your students the easier it is to cater curriculum to them
It teach's me to understand that not all students learn the same. So we need to develop our lesson to accomidate their different learning techiques.
I have to prepare each lesson so all the different learning techinques are covered.
Visual with tools, mechanical tools, and with having them read and reveiw what they read with me.
Mary,
Can you expand on this statement? How do you develop your lesson plans in relation to student learning preferences?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Maria,
With such small classes you can really get to know your students and then develop a specific learning plan for each of them. This is such a great learning opportunity for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
so you will know how to lesson plan for the students to learn.
Oh my gosh,it is extremely valubale.I will make written papers for some and presentations for others.Luckly my classes are 5-6 so this helps.
Yashama,
Good analysis of how you need to develop your instructional approach. With variety and change of pace you will be able to engage your students for the duration of the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It helps you underatand that you are dealing with all kinds of people,in turn different learning styles.I feel like you must be able to reach each learner on their current level.
Richard,
You make several very good points about understanding the students that are enrolled and how you can be supportive to them. This knowledge enables you to customize your instruction in a way that will keep the students progressing in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding the learner helps to understand what motivates him/her to learn. That enables me to modify my instructional style to more effectively reach the student. I look for ways to relate material to things that are relevant in my students' lives. It helps keep them interested in the subject matter.
Donna,
Well said and important reminder for all instructors to remember.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When you are teaching adults you must understand the different types of learning habits and skills. You must see the different learning styles and adapt to each student differently.
