I agree more examples you give students that reinforces course material and how they can also make momey at it excites them.
John,
Good way to share valuable information while keeping the attention of students. This is a major part of being an effective communicator.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As I teach my class I pay attention to how the students are reacting. If I see I'm losing someone in the lecture I engage them in a more hands on approach of the subject matter. I routinely flow between teaching styles until I find a balance that satisfies the class as a whole.
John M.
Robin,
Students really like hearing from graduates. They can see themselves through the graduates once they are out in the field. Also, the graduates by telling their stories reinforce the value of the content you are teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I love to bring in a graduate that is working in the field to be a guest speaker. It reinforces the reasons why some students are there. I think they really enjoy it as well because I find they all open up to them with questions and with entusiasm.
Doris,
If we are going to be able to target our instruction to our students we need to understand them. So the more we know about them the more accurately we can plan our instruction around their needs.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jeannette,
What are some strategies you use to incorporate the learning styles.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Tim,
Variety in instructional delivery really helps students to stay engaged and use their learning preferences. Planning for alternative deliveries should be a regular part of our instructional selection.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being able to understand an adult learners characteristics are very pivitol, simply because the instructor needs to be able to reach that specific student on their level to ensure the student can comprehend their work, not just pass!
You should incorporate all three types of learning sytles to ensure that you meet all standards of learning
Learner characteristics include learning style. If an institution does not teach to various learning styles some students will struggle and some will think they lack the intelligence necessary to attend college. Instructors and administrators can adapt teaching styles to learners and help them utilize specific techniques to gain the most from lessons and from their homework assignments.
learning style differences require a variety of instructional methods to assure that all srtudents are being reached and motivated
CAROL,
Well said and shared. It is important that we consider our students in this context if we are to reach them and keep them engaged in the learning process. This is both the technical as well as human aspects of teaching.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Khayyam,
Your approach is a great way to show value in a gen ed course. I teach a gen ed course that is required for students to pass in order to get state certification. I work very hard with my students to show them the value of what is being taught and how the content can be used in their personal and professional lives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a Marketing instructor and a Marketing practioner. So it may be my "discipline" in Marketing that leads me to looking at students as "customers" for the educational information I provide. My mission is to deliver information successfully and to the satisfaction of my students.
It is important to understand why the students are in my class: is it a requirement or an election? will this education help them achieve certain goals they have set in addition to education? etc. etc. With this knowledge, I know better how to deliver "satisfaction." It is important to understand the background of my students (are they recent high school grads or have they been away from school for a long time? have they had any exposure to business or marketing? etc. etc.). This information will help me to shape how I present course content during information exchanges. The more I know about the students, the better I will be able to structure how I communicate with them in order to ensure their satisfaction.
Beyond this, it is important to keep in mind that people are people. They have feelings, fears, assumptions and perceptions based on their backgrounds and their life experiences. In order for their experiences in my classroom to be positive and productive, I am responsible for figuring out how to deliver education in a manner that satisfies the need of my students. If I doo not accomplish this, then I have not been an effective instructor.
Depending on the school I teach at, my students are either adults or a few years out of high school. They either want to move forward in their career or begin a new career. With my classes being a Gen Ed. required class, it is often necessary to connect the course material to both their lives and future career goals. I attempt to do with examples and discussions. After discussing an idea and providing an example or two of my own, I then open up the floor to my students to provide their own examples.
In my eighteen years of teaching, understanding the characteristics of the learner helps in bending the content to fit the learner through stories and examples that could benefit the learner. It gets their attention and helps keep their focus on the content.
Chloe,
I call this strategy "connecting the dots" between theory and application. The more we can connect these dots the value the students will see in the content we are sharing. In addition, they will see relevancy as a result of the examples that are brought forth in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It's important to include practical examples and applications along with the theory in a course (as someone else mentioned). Guest speakers from the industry is a great idea, and in addition to that, if having a speaker isn't an option, making sure to qualify complex theoretical concepts with practical situations in the industry is an good strategy to tap into students different learner characteristics.
James,
As an instructor in a hospital setting what are some strategies you have found to be successful in working with your students there? How does your approach differ from the traditional classroom instruction? Thanks for your input on this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
