I like to begin my class with a game, something where all my students can get involved and give opinions. Not only are they learning in a fun way, but this also gives me the opportunity to understand their learning styles.
you must learn how each student learns the best such as visual, hands on etc
Learning different characteristics helps you become a more effective instructor in recognizing and assisting individual needs of your students.
Understanding learner characteristics is essential for providing a classroom environment which will enable a diverse student population to succeed. For an instructor, understanding student focus based upon age differences will impact on the classroom organization.
The fact that different age groups need different learning environments makes a lot of sense to me. i see this daily in my classroom settings and found this information to be very helpful to me regarding that.
I think this is extremely important. I have had students who simply are terrified of group activity and discussion, but who, through seeing the cooperative environment I promote, end up being some of the most vocal students in the class.
I think a part of my success in doing so is understanding how they learn, and what it is about learning that makes them feel important. Some like to discuss. Some like to provoke. Some like to impress. And they learn by reviewing, relating to others, relating to me, etc.
So, the learning aspect is extremely important, not only in successfully conveying the material to them, but also to finding how it is they find learning rewarding.
I agree that it is difficult to teach traditional and non traditional students in the same class. That is why it is necessary to recognize all students need and to vary teaching methods to reach the entire class.
Hi Richard,
This is a good question about how to relate to and engage students in larger classes quickly. I teach the format with some of my classes so I only physically see my students once a week for 15 weeks. Hard to stay on top of their situation if they are on the bubble of leaving school. What I do is communicate with them via email. I ask them questions and interact in discussion with them. This gives me a very good picture of where they are at in terms of the course and their stability in achieving success. Then I can chat with them before or after class during our weekly meeting. This seems to create a connection that helps to keep the students engaged on involved in the course.
Gary
Hi Suzanne,
Good points about how an instructor needs to connect with the students. Through the establishment of rapport students and instructor can develop a relationship that enables career growth and development to occur.
Gary
I totally agree. Sadly, I have lost students because I did not catch their learning behavior quick enough to help them. Depending on the size of a class, this becomes quite a challenge. I have found that any class larger than 25 students becomes almost impossible to quickly learn what motivates the students and what is their learning styles.
How about some ideas for large classes, over 25 students? How can an instructor learn what needs to be learned in such a short time? My courses, for example, are held once a week for 10 weeks. Students are here are gone so quickly if I do not catch what motivates them.
Any suggestions?
Dr. Meers:
The classroom mimics a lecture hall in many ways. Understanding the characteristics of the learners is similar to knowing the audience. If the instructor knows what issues the students have that may prevent them from listening effectively, what intrinsic motivations the students bring to the classroom, what background of past success or failure students are bringing that may affect expectations and what inherent interest these students have in the course content, the instructor may more effectively create a positive and successful experience. The instructor may modify the lectures or even the delivery of the lectures to meet those types of unique needs. Instructors may identify any special needs or any particular challenges that may or may not involve the actual course content. Regardless, these types of issues may influence the probability of success that is correlated to learner characteristics. It is the role of the instructor to not just be a rote lecturer, but to create a relationship with the learner as a unique participant in the classroom.
Suzanne
If an instructor fails to understand the learner's characteristics they may have constant problems with the student in class. They will recognize the student is motivated and willing to learn, but just doesn't seem to get the material. The result will be frustration for both the student and the instructor.
By understanding their learner characteristics an student will be able to adapt their lessons and lectures to maximize the opportunities for the students to learn. In return the increased learner will build both the student's confidence and motivation to continue learning and continue in class.
Understanding the learner's characteristics will also enable the instructor to better assistant the student with any problems or questions they have with the material, also critical to effective student retention.
Hi Charles,
Plus the students don't panic because it they only have to write for 60 seconds so the paper becomes much lower risk for them.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
The "60 second" term paper is a great idea. It gives you the feedback you need to not only evaluate the effectiveness of the delivery of the lecture but also the students understanding of the content. Both are critical to the success of the student.
Because in some trade schools there will be poeple not only in different age groups but also different races ect being able to adapt to there learning is very inportant
Hi Richard,
Students like variety in instructional delivery. By recognizing this you are meeting a host of learning needs through the variety you are offering. This is a good strategy to follow and will keep your students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
you can give the student a complete course with multiple learning styles and activities.
I have found that a group of students with varying backgrounds are difficult to teach in ONLY one fashion. When I learn about each student I discover ways to reach out to them. As stated in the module, a student that has little time to study at home may need extra tutoring assistance at school. A student who can memorize papers of school work may need extra challenges to succeed. Could be that these two students may work together and assist each other, helping them both succeed.
an instructor may have to vary their teaching techniques based on the diversity of the classroom. a prime concern for me has been the age diversity of a class group. the younger students learn and test differently than older adults that have been out of school for a time. i am not inferring that one group is more intelligent than another, but different when giving information and testing.
helps to better prepare instructor for which learning techniques andy materaials may be required for this class
