The why I understand learners characteristics is by giving a test on peoples learning ability. Once the students and myself know how they learn then I lecture and teach on all different learning abilities.
I think it is important to address all 9 learning styles when engaging students.
Understanding your student helps with learning by knowing how to teach them in a way they can comprehend. Also, knowing their backgrounds you can see what type of learner they will be. Maybe using a different type of terminology will help them to learn a different way too.
Lawrence,
Well said and your definition of your role is made clear as well. This is why we are in the business of teaching. We are impacting lives and helping individuals achieve their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
For me its all about passing along information to career minded students that will assist them in obtaining their career goals. Understanding our diverse student population helps me in providing the best education for each student.
Vaughn,
Your last sentence says it all in relation to the value of knowing the characteristics of your students. The outcomes from knowing them better are tremendous in relation to earning their respect and establishing rapport.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Roberta,
Yes, you are because you know the population you are working with as a result of introductions and the investment of some time in getting to know each student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding your "audience" is necessary in order to achieve success. You wouldn't provide a speech on sewing to welders would you, no. Knowing your audience or in this case characteristics of your students is very important. The sooner you learn them the better off the student, class and you will become.
You are better able to meet the needs of the individuals and therefore the outcome of them better understaning the content is greater.
Kristopher,
Yes it does. Knowing this helps with instructional planning and delivery. You know how to target your students more effectively as a result of this knowledge.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It seems to me that knowing the way the majority of your class learns can help you make the most of your instructional time. For instance, if you know a big chuck of your class learns best through text-based visuals, you can inject more bullet-point slides into your lecture. Then place those visual-verbal learners with the kinesthetic learners during your lab.
