Natasa,
Great self-awareness! Thank you so much for elaborating and sharing your experience.
Dr. Jean Norris
It has really taken a while for me to learn my own preferences and to feel confident enough to set my daily schedule based on these preferences. At times I need my door closed to focus, but that sometimes leads to feelings of guilt for not being there for students or colleagues. Realizing these preferences has enabled me to set a schedule and follow it without feelings of guilt because I know that I am most effective with that schedule and I will be more helpful in the long run to others if I acknowledge my own needs (so that I can be successful) while on the job.
Thank you for sharing Natasa. Knowing your preference and being able to identify and adapt to another person's preferences is a great way to improve your connections with others.
Dr. Jean Norris
Now that you know this about yourself, how does this impact you in your role?
Dr. Jean Norris
I find this description to match my learning style, too. I prefer to work independently on a task and then discuss with others how to implement the results. I value feedback as long as it's constructive and not someone simply saying "good job."
I learn best when I have materials in front of me for reference or a note pad to keep track of what a speaker is saying. It is very easy to misinterpret the speaker’s ideas, requests, and thoughts (at the time of a conversation and after that conversation has happened), so I prefer to write down what I hear and work from there. I prefer a direct approach with clear explanations and direct requests. I don’t require constant feedback or instant responses, but critical feedback is very valuable. Although I believe my learning style touches all generations that we have learned about, I believe that my learning approach most resembles that of Traditionalists (T) and Baby Boomers (BB) because aspects of face to face meetings (BB) and hard copy communication (T) are present as well as direct approaches (T) and open discussion (BB).
It's interesting to learn about our learning style, isn't it? Maureen, how do you think knowing this about yourself will help you both at work and in your personal relationships?
I feel I would be considered generation X. I am willing to take risks and I'm agreesive as well as competitive. My personal time is mine and when I'm at work I give it everything I have
Congratulations for adapting and making the attempt to connect with your Gen X students. The more flexible we are and the more we learn about the other generational styles can help us and our students at the same time. What do you do to stay up to date on generational preferences?
My learning style was traditional when i was in school and very structured, compared to the teaching style I apply to my students today, i teach the generation X and Ive learned to adapted to their way of learning and Ive tailored my teaching methods around that.
It looks like you have a solid understanding of your strengths and the importance of keeping up with the ever-changing world. Recognizing the different learning styles and adapting your communication can help you connect with more people. Thank you for your post!
As a Baby Boomer, I do prefer very direct and open communications. New information can come in the form of phone, email, text,(basically anything written) or in person.
Thriving on personal interaction, it has been important to adapt to the changing communication options available to learn information. Learning is happening constantly as the day moves very quickly in the workplace and the luxury of time isn't present.
Whatever the reason for the need for new knowledge or information, the individual will bring their unique learning style: auditory, kinestic, or visual to the process.
Baby Boomers embrace change and I absorb information visually and kinestically.
I learn best through demonstration as well as hands on. It shows me that I not only learn in congunction with my generation style but also with the generation style of my children.
Thanks Karla. How do adapt your approach with other generational styles?
Coming from generation X, it is all about technology and grasping your attention on creativity.
Thanks for sharing Rosemary. It sounds like you have a handle on your learning style. What do you think makes the 'authority' figure help you learn?
I learn best by actually seeing a demonstration, a lecture with notes, or actually being in a classroom setting. It is harder for me to personally take information in when there is not a form of authority present. I enjoy learning in an actual classroom setting versus online.
Judie, thanks for sharing this. So it sounds like you will share your personal experience in order to build a connection with your students. If done in a sincere way, this will certainly gain relationship equity and help you move into a stage where you can share your opinion with your student.
Dr. Jean Norris
When I can talk with prospective students or current students about my learning style and then have a conversation with them about their learning style, it opens up a new way to identify and communicate with the students. It makes it more personal. And, when we know more about our students it makes it easier to work with them if they're struggling in any one particular course.
Judie, these are great points and it sounds like you fit well in your role. How will being aware of this information help you connect with more students?
Dr. Jean Norris
