Understanding Learner Characteristics
How does an understanding of learner characteristics help in the instructional planning process?
Tiana,
Well said and such an important point in relation to instructional planning and delivery.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Cynthia,
Good example of customizing and targeting instructional delivery. You adapt as needed to the current students while continuing to offer the essential content and moving their learning forward. This is a win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If you understand learner characteristics you can better plan your day/class/etc. to suit your students needs. This, in turn, will help improve their performance in the class.
There are all types of learning characteristics, and its imperative to have the "right" techniques with the "right" student. If you can match learning characteristics with the individual personality the studnet I feel will be more successful.
Alicia,
So true and such an important part of planning as you get ready to launch a new class. We need to know as much as we can about our students and we can do this through introductions and ice breakers at the first class meeting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Lucinda,
Good point because this is how you are going to reach each and every student enrolled in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
When I am preparing my lectures and class time activities, I often "tailor"the objectives, content and length of each according to the knowledge, background of subject matter, and importance in the student's overall training. For example if a chapter contains material worth reading for a general background of the subject, I will include it but spend less of what I call "emphasis" time on it in class. Likewise, if the majority of the students have a background knowledge of something I am to be lecturing on, I will treat the material as a "refresher" for them rather than over spend my class time. Knowing how students view and value the subject material allows for more diversity in presentation and in turn I believe, more interest in the subject matter by the student and also more retention of that material.
Understanding learner characteristics is a vital part of having effective delivery of information. In order to even begin to get students to engage and gasp the information you are going to present you have to know your audience and understand their characteristics. I think if you do not take the time to understand this then your whole reason for presenting the information becomes lost and may even be pointless.
Thanks
Alicia Ryan
Understanding learner characteristics is a vital part of having effective delivery of information. In order to even begin to get students to engage and gasp the information you are going to present you have to know your audience and understand their characteristics. I think if you do not take the time to understand this then your whole reason for presenting the information becomes lost and may even be pointless.
Thanks
Alicia Ryan
As an instructor it is important to understnad the different characteristics in the class and adapt the class to those styles so the class gets the most out of your instruction.
Robert,
How do you do that with your students? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
to make sure you relate to each student and it help you plan bettter class retion
Susan,
Your last sentence captures the value from offering varied instructional delivery to students. By doing so you will engage students at some point along the learning pathway and enable them to be successful and excited about what they are learning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Having the awareness and knowledge of each individual's learning style is the key to his/her success in the classroom. It not only helps me understand how I need to approach them with my materials, but it also gives them a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses in learning. Thus, they become more confident in their self and skills.
Crystal,
This is so important because you are trying to customize your instruction while engaging each student. The more you are able to target their learning needs and provide support on a regular basis the more engaged your students are going to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Understanding the different learner characteristics and dynamics of your students can help instructors plan for student success by such examples as pairing students of different age groups and ethnicity together for group projects as well as planning for any accommodations needed for documented disabilities.
Bonnie,
You are right it is a challenge to be able to identify and then target each the learning needs and preferences of each student. By offering variety in instructional delivery and applications you will be providing learning experiences that benefit each of the students' preference areas.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being in the medical profession, alot of our education is hands-on. We encourage our insturctors to identify within the first week of class to determine thelearning for each individual and adjust to our teach technique to accommodate the class, very difficult to achieve.
It is important to understand each student's learning style. This will help the student reach their goals.
