Planning for daily classes may include quizzes, handouts, media presentation, demonstrations, and etc. Understanding the learning characteristics of my students helps me evaluate their progress based on my presentations and I may add additional information in one format or another to complement the student's characteristics.
This sounds like Howard Gardner's Muliple Intelligences!
Hi Daniel,
Good point, thanks for sharing it with us. By using your approach you are able to customize instruction for the entire class because you are looking at each student in light of his/her needs and learning preferences.
Gary
I try to make sure that my class plan is broad enough so as to be inclusive of all learner characteristics, so that no one gets left behind.
Einstein supposedly did not speak until he was 3 or 4 years old. At that time he was thought to be retarded. What was not understood was the physical characteristics of his brain were different than most peoples. The area of his brain that we most often associate with spatial response such as not getting lost and math was larger than the area that dealt with speech. I try to view all of my students from the approach that we do not all have the same abilities and recognizing the different learner characteristics in my students allows me to tailor my presentation such that all have an equal opportunity to learn the necessary material, regardless of which area of my brain is smaller!
The instructional planning process, I believe must work hand in hand with the learner and their characteristics. I can't plan something that is over their head or to slow for them. I need to know what type of learner they are.
learning each individuals needs for the course
Make a better lession plan and course, each student has their own way of learning and understanding this help not only the instructor but the student as well
You will learn if they are auditory, hands on or visual learneers. ONce you learn this you will have a better understanding to accomodate them.
I learned this a few years back and was amazed to discover that I am definitely a visual learner. I try to incorporate the different types of learning characteristics into my plans (hands-on trips, activities, vocabulary "bees"; PowerPoints, movies, etc.). My students read aloud and silently and are expected to take notes, which I check. This insures that all types of learners will be more successful.
I first ask leading questions in my student introductions and the first discussion. I create a note card for each student in each of my classes, with 10 classes this can get tedious but time consuming. Then if I have students that have concerns or contact me with situations I can track that on the card. I also highlight a corner of the card if there is something I need to be aware of.
There are so many characteristics that set individual learners apart, just as there are some characteristics that seem to pervade disparate age groups. (Example: younger students typically react to a class cancellation with joy; adult learners may feel as though their tuition money has been stolen from them. Dialogue, experience, patience, and a willingness to get to know and understand the fears, frustrations, and motivations of each student where possible is vital.
I believe that learning is not the passive storage of information but the active creation of knowledge and one way for me to achive this is to fully understand my students learning styles which in turn helps me to develop effective lesson plans.
Hi Scott,
How do you go about identifying the characteristics of your students? Do you use a form, profile sheet, or some other method?
Thanks.
Gary
it helps us to determine a positive and attainable goal set for our class
Thanks for the ideas, Gary. That's a great approach.
Hi Julie,
What I do is try and get a class profile from the Student Services Office. This gives me a general picture of the incoming class. At the first class meeting I have the students fill out a general background form and this fills in the missing information for me so I then can see where I need to make adaptations or adjustments in my course content and delivery.
Gary
Understanding of learner characteristics ensures that the needs of each student are being addressed. By understanding the characteristics of each student, the instructor is able to tailor his/ or her lectures so as to maximize the retention of information. Becoming aware of the needs of each student allocates a mutualistic respect between instructor and student.
First of all, understanding the learner helps me to adjust my content to their needs. So, if an adult learner hasn't been in a writing class for 15+ years, I know that I will have to review some things that I might not have to for a student just out of high school. So, knowing my learner's characteristics and needs will help me to teach at their level and meet their academic needs.
Second, understanding the learner helps me to be more sensitive to their fears and frustrations as they enter the class and work through the material.
What is difficult about this question is it refers to the planning process. While I could have some general idea about the students, I will not know their individual characteristics and needs until I begin the class. What are some ways to anticipate these needs prior to class?
It helps me to be more patient with each person's individual needs.
