I found the fifth question on the quiz about concrete vs. abstract application of knowledge problematic. It stated that "The instructor of a culinary arts program asks her students to identify the differences between natural and processed cheeses." I realize that concrete thinking involves the 5 senses, but the module defined abstract thinking as "seeing connections and applications." Had the instructor asked students to define or list the qualities of each type of cheese, I can clearly see it would be concrete. But identifying differences between two different things, to me at least, sounds like an example of "seeing connections," which would constitute abstract. Would you clarify this problem for me? Thanks.

The module discussed the fact that this type of learner needs music for a learning environment. What are some practical ways of applying this in a classroom setting? Playing music in the background may work for a few students, but once when I tried it, some of the students asked me to turn it off because it bothered them. Another time, I allowed a student to listen to his own music (privately on a CD player--this was before the ipod) while he was writing an essay in class. Ironically, I was unable to use that time to grade papers as I usually do because I found the music too distracting (yes, I could hear it despite the fact that he was several rows away from where I sat). Obviously, I need help in developing ways to teach to this type of intelligence. Thanks!

I notice few good student, that do good when the other student is not present in class. I observed the changes on his grades and attitudes when he is around with this clown student, he become totally different person. I don't know How to approach this type of situation, because I don't want to be misunderstood by him and the other student too, any help and suggestion are welcome.

I find a great way to make sure the students store the necessary information in the correct area of the brain is by various methods. I tend to put very important information on the board, and then describe it to the students. I also tend to remind the students that if I repeat a topic/fact/detail, it is likely a very important thing to remember as well. I will go back to this important information again and again to the point were the students know automatically what I am talking about.

get them activly involved with the project (hands on!)

Usually our student is so diverse, often times 50% of our student has experience and 50% is a novice learners. I often talk to the student that have experience to the subject on the sides, prior from discussing it to the rest of the student. This way I can set up the discussion in more interesting face, by using the student talk about their experienced on the focal subject, the negative and positives are discuss in more dramatic ways, by allowing them to hear it based on a real experience. Then we can add all the positives points to remember as well the negatives that we can avoid in a long run. This way the experience student learn it twice and retained the information even further better that before. After giving key point to remember, negative and positives.

I believe we all have a basic intelegency that we fall to first but that we also have sub intelegencies that we understand but are not as attracted too. We can learn in all these intelegencies but maybe not as quickly as the dominant one. I like the idea that sometimes these intersect and multiple intelegencies can be taught the same way.

How is the best way to clearly assess a new class? Is it better to generalize a classroom as to whether they are more visual or more practical and then attend to their needs as a whole or individuals?

The decoding method is such a useful tool in lecturing by breaking down your discussion into bits of content that students can understand and prepare for storage in their memories. Typically, I always use diagrams and visual graphics representation to show the relationship or association between what I am lecturing and what they’re looking at when I’m speaking. This will connect between visual and message/point that I’m trying to get across. I believe this technique shows my students that I can help make them successful learners as well as reducing frustration for myself as well. K. Boodparset

Through my experience, students are usually waning to bring their life experiences to the learning environment such as their work-related activities, family responsibilities and previous education. It’s a way for them to see a reason for learning something. Throughout their learning progress, it’s a natural progression for them to feel the need to connect their past with the present. Perhaps this is the reason why they are constantly asking and seeking to see how what they are being taught is relevant to their career goals. Before I begin my new day’ discussion, I usually explain to the students how today's topic fits into what has been covered days before. I believe it’s sort of refreshing their memories before new information will be taking in. A brief enthusiastic summary of what has been previously covered will help them to see the relevance of the new material. It’s the best way to build a bridge between previous work and the current topic each time I start a class. Certainly, this is the way that I always like to be taught when I was a student. K. Boodparset

I have found by letting the students help with lecture and demostration helps with the student understand what I'm talking about. Let me give an example if a student tells me he doesn't understand or does not know what that means I will find another way of presentation. I have used noises hand gestures I have incorporated bring up students and making them part of the lecture. I usually get through to the student the one thing I want to emphasize is do not embarrass the student. I have told the class if you do not under stand if I have gone over it ten times I'll go over it another ten times when I look around the room asking if you understand just give me a signal a nod a hand gesture and I'll go over it again because you're probably not the only one. If I need to tutor I will do that too.

I believe this is one of the most important parts of the day. A recap of the days events, learnings. Just last night a student was in the class room I asked what was new today (learned)One student said he didn't know how to remove the second gauge set now he does. And of courses you have the one that didn't learn anything. I thought you had never used a fish scale? answer I hadn't but I figured it out. So if you learn how to use it on your own what it doesn't count? It's funny sometimes how a student thinks and justafies his thinking process. But getting back to reviews you are correct it does give an idea of how the student absorded the information from the day. Reviews need to be done each and every day.

I too have a hard time teaching to the different styles some times I think the learners change the way they like to get the information For example I had a student tell me he had no idea of how we came to a certain conclusion. I went through the same process twice before and the student was successful. this time he bomded my test. I first lectured and explained what I needed for an out come asked question to make sure every one understood. I demostrated the proceedure then the students did the procedure 1 week later the students had to do the same procedure again and was unable to perform the task successfully. All in all the student observed the task once by me three times in his lab group over three days and four days later it was all foreign to the student I need to add one more thing the students had to write down the procedure . SO they listened to lecture wrote down the procedure watched a demo by myself then by their lab parterns and themselves. Needless to say I was dumpfounded. I was positive I covered every base.

it has been my experience that first I introduce the subject we do some discussing then demostration then the students do demostration we have more discussions to make sure we are on the same page if I have to reenterate I will if demostration have to be redone we do what I don't want is to leave any question unanswered or any doubts about how it works are how to trouble shoot a problem.

This information will help me understand the different ways people are interpreting the information I provide. I have always tried to implement tactal, and verbal, and hands on training through out my courses. I'll be more aware now of my delivery methods, and preparation before lecture.

The higher education instructor needs to develop his/her or stratgies that will help the student improve their decoding skills. In order for a student to succeed these skills need to be further developed as an on going process.

Perhaps one of the most important things an adult educator can do, is to develop and implement curriculum that the student will be able to immediately apply in a community setting. If the student sees immediate value to what they are learning, student learning success will follow.

Gardner believed that intelligence as most theorists define it does not adequately display the abilities that humans show. In his theory, one child more superior to another in a mathematical learning process may not necessarily be more intelligent than another child who struggles to learn this process. The other child may simply be stronger in another type of intelligence. It would be advantageous for the other child to learn using a different approach. Gardner theory challenged the traditional thought in most educational systems that everyone can learn the same material in a uniform way. I have over 20 years instructional and curriculum development experience in English as a Second Language instruction. I have learned that there is no uniform way to teach a second language to a group of students. An instructor needs to incorporate several different methods into a successful lesson plan. This is where Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences began its development.

How can an instructor through careful analysis of using memory sources further understand and develop better course programming and curriculum. The more we understand about these things the better we can develop more effective educational programs.

While not specifically mentioned, I feel it's important to note the sensitivity required when teaching adults who are, in some cases, signficantly older than you. I, personally, am 23 and an instructor, while many of my students are in their 30's and older. I find it very important to maintain a balance of equal respect when guiding my students through the course. They need to feel that you are trustworthy despite the fact you are so young, that you are knowledgeable in the field of study, and that your youth is a strength, not a potential weakness. It is easy for your students to look down on you because of your lack of experience. I find as long as you treat them with the respect and dignity you expect to receive from them in turn, you are much better off. Ultimately, I feel you want to avoid treating them as inferiors, but as equals, especially if you, yourself, went through the very program. The key word these modules used is "guide." You are a guide to the students, not necessarily an older, wizened dictator of the classroom. You want to share your common experiences.