Getting to Know Your Students and their needs
Some time ago I felt that I could be more effective if I offered the students a brief questionaire pertaining to their work experience, reasons for choosing our school, and hopes and aspirations after graduation. Now I'm going to integrate an assessment of their learning preferences, beginning with those offered in the "Learning Preference Module". Have you used such an assessment, and how has this benefited you and your learners?
Marshall,
I have used it for many years with great benefits. By having such information I can group my students as I present different topics. As you know some lend themselves more to cognitive processing and others more tactile. By knowing how my students prefer to take in new information I am able to select the instructional format that will enhance both interest and content retention. I think you are going to really like the results you get with this effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do think it is a good idea to get to know some things about your students such as their previous education and work experiences without getting too personal, that way you understand more about their thought processes.
Sonja,
This information is very beneficial as you do your instructional planning and selection. This information helps you to be more accurate in your delivery and support to and for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree on that, knowing their personal experiences, we the instructors, can personalized he teaching/learning experience. It makes it easier for the student to understand the content.
Carlos,
Having the information really helps with customizing and targeting instruction. The more we know about our students the more accurate we can be in doing this.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to ask the students why they are here and what they hope to learn. I also ask about their experience with the subject matter without expectations of any kind in the dialogue. This serves as a good ice breaker and is also informative for me to steer the class forward at the correct pace.
Mary,
These types of exchanges are great ways to gain insight in terms of the current group of students. Helps everyone get to know more about each other and then connect their experiences to the course content.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is an excellent idea. We must learn as mucha as we can about our students.
Joseph,
We need to work at this as we start a new class so we will be able to plan how we are going to reach our students in the most effective and efficient way possible.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to ask students questions to find out different ways they learn and what interest them. I can then use this information to connect with them during the lesson.
Wendi,
Questioning is a good form of feedback for instructors. As you mention the answers you get from the students help you to shape the direction you are going to take the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sounds like a great idea. I appreciate your input because it makes sense for the Instructor to identify the areas you listed for instruction purposes as well as introspection and identification on the students part as to methods to employ in order to maximize their own studies and goals.
I think a questinaire is a great idea, I will add that to my curriculum.
I have tried this before with mixed results. Maybe it's time to try again. Thanks
I will be trying this questionnaire with my next class.
