Understanding different learning characteristics allows an instructor to tailor their teaching to variety of different learners. This is important because it keeps the entire class engaged and focused. By breaking up lecture with activities and group interactions every students needs can be meet.
It helps to understand all of your learner characteristics as it can help you monitor who will do well with a certian delivery and method and who will not. I try to tailor my tutoring sessions to the specific learners attending.
Jacqueline,
You have a great plan for seeing the big picture for your course. You are student centered and content focused in your approach and this results in engaged students. A win win for everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As an instructor, it is crucial to learn and assess the learning characteristics in one’s classroom from the first day of class. If you have weekly lesson plans in place, it will be easier to diversify your teaching materials and adapt to the students while still following the course syllabus.
In my experiences, it helps to incorporate tools that include a combination of visuals, print materials, a weekly agenda, lecture handouts where students can actively take their own notes, and even bringing in a guest speaker (when possible) who is currently working in the career field/topic area that would be beneficial towards the course study.
Caroline,
I teach the same format. I go for three hours (4-7pm) and then teach the same course again for three hours (7-10pm). I have to be very organized so I can remember what I have said to each class. It is a challenge but I really enjoy my students. You make a good point about how different they are and as a result require customized planning to meet the needs of each class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach the same course back to back one right after the other. I teach the 1st class at a different pace and expand more than my 2nd class. I found that the characteristics and dynamics between the two classes has forced me to make instructional planning adjustments to accommodate learning styles.
Carlos,
Both are so important in the learning process. So the more you know about students the more accurately you will be able to plan for their instructional needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Leslie,
Good points about the value of knowing the characteristics of your students. Yes, the challenge does get greater as you increase the number of students but for the most part the students end up fitting into general learning groups and you can plan for these groups.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dexter,
What strategies due you use to learn about the students that you have in class?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Marita,
The outside of classroom/lab experiences do as you say help the student to connect the dots between course content and the real world. They also give the students opportunities to use their knowledge and expertise to reinforce the choice they have made to enter their selected field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Marita,
This is so important if you are going to keep all of the students engaged in the learning process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
learn and understand backgrounds is only a part, letting them know how can they apply those experiences into their learning method is the other
I think that the understanding of a learners characteristics is a critical part of the instructional planning process. By having an extensive knowledge of the learners background, personal motivation and learning style, you can begin to formulate a plan best suited to the capabilities of the learner. I think, as an educator, the biggest challenge is to be able to diversify the instructional process to incorporate all of the characteristics of each individual within the classroom environment. That challenge multiplies as student population increases.
This may help you address certain issues the student may have.
I think this is a very good point. Going on Externships or clinicals aids the student in putting 2 and 2 together.
I find that using a variety of approaches aids in learning. You must approach learning by appealing to the kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learners. Class lectures, power point and hands on lab experiences all aid in learning.
Being able to understand the diverse population in your class, such as being from multiple different races and/or age groups can determine your plan of teaching method. Not everyone can be taught the exact same way because someone may be left behind and not understand the objective at hand.
Seth,
I agree as to the value of field trips and guest speakers. They help to reinforce the content we are sharing with our students. In addition they give ROI to the program in which the student is enrolled.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Janet,
Good point and an important part of instructional planning. The more you know about your students the more you will be able to target your instruction to them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
If you understand the learning characteristics of your students, you are better able to focus your teaching methods towards those characteristics. For instance, if one of your students is very visual, it would be a good idea to incorporate pictures and diagrams into your lecture.
