Understanding of learner characterits of the students in the class, can be traced back to the fact that as an instructor we are the facilitators of learning. Through the understanding of what makes a student tick, the road to course objectives can be adjusted to fit the individual.
Roberta,
This is such an important part of teaching. It is also a reward of teaching because of the rapport we get to develop with our students while they are in our course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Alan,
I use guest speakers and field trips for the reasons you mention. They reinforce the value of the content that I am sharing with my students and that increases their motivation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find it so very important to know each student individually to be able to connect with their needs and aid in their learning process.
Guest speakers totally inspire class enthusiasm and and real world learning, I use every endeavor to make this happen frequently
Alex,
This is a very good point. The students need to see the big picture of patient care and how their field fits within the big picture. This will help them to understand and work better with other departments and personnel when they are on the job.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also feeled that exposure to other Hospital and their respiratory modalities is very essential. I am a Respiratory Therapist Instructor and other ideas are very essential so that students obtain knowledge of other Hospital protocols.
Understanding the learning characteristics of my students helps my instructional process by helping me to know how to relate to my students. I work in a culinary arts school in the restaurant so it helps me to know that some students can learn the classic call-back order fire system and others that have a hard time with memory may start by jotting down the orders on their respective stations until they feel comfortable enough to "shout it out"!
Robert,
You make a good point about needing to help students see the value of the content you are sharing. Your field is so valuable in so many ways in every field but I am sure the challenge is getting them to see the value.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have taught at the college level for years and find it iportant to understand the learner and what motivates them. For those who love the subject (psychology) that is easy! However for those taking it as a requirement I need to start off with telling them what they might get out of the course. Also, asfor diversity, the need to understand where the student is coming from as with Maslow,s hierarchy of needs
It is improtant for teachers to understand the characteristic of the student because it guides them on how to teach that student. If teachers make student feel comfortable and see that they care, then the teacher gain trust and respect for that student, which makes it easier to teach and learn.
Qadar,
I like the way you are blending the difference groups in your class as well as how you have them working together. You are creating a learning community for the students so they can learn, grow and benefit from each other.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Tracy,
You make a good point that sometimes new instructors forget. We can't satisfy everyone. We need to know we have done our professional best as we end each class and use that as our own form of accountability.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
The classes I teach are 90% lab and 10% lecture. Day one I give them a lecture about the rules and regulations of the class and the lab, although I put it in the syllabus. I have young, adults who were laid off, and veterans in my class. In order for them to tolerate each other, I created a team work between them. For example, if I am helping one student and another student has a question about the lab, I ask those that are ahead of the class to help that individual. Now, Adults and young ones are helping each other. I also try to held pot luck in class. So far it is working out very well.
I teach a class size of 30 and I always say that if 25 or more students are satisfied, then I did my job. It is almost impossible to please everyone!
It also makes the content more interesting and helps the students to retain information
Edward, I use speakers, too. In my change management class, I like to use a career counselor who helps the students think about transitioning from student to workplace professional.
By understanding the learning characteristics of your students you can focus your lessons so each student stayes engauged.
Kenneth,
That is a real as it can get. Guest speakers reinforce what we are teaching and bring value to the content. I use them a lot in my courses for the reasons you state. Great motivators.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I teach in the military field and guest speakers with recent and current experience in opearations add greatly to supporting the need for students.
