learning styles
I have noticed that students do appeal to different teaching styles. I have students interact with theory, some will interact and learn in workstations and some interact only through participation. Some students will even comment " I really understand now that I have put my hands on what we discussed". I see that exploring different learning styles greatly reduces sleepers and poor testing scores.
I agree and when teaching try to include several different methods of teaching.
Trying to address all learning styles in every class is a very big challenge, especially when you have a large class of seventy-five beginning students. However, once you have given them the test to check their learning styles, you can at least attempt to address most of them at each lecture.
Hi Marjorie,
You are right about the challenges of reaching all of your students' learning styles in a larger class. By using different delivery methods and a variety of activities you can reach the students at different times. This variety also keeps their interest up and motivates them to increase their learning.
Gary
As you have stated there are many challenges to consider with student learning styles. The question is how do we meet the learning/teaching needs of our students? How do we How do we improve their self confidence and self esteem with learning? How do we motivate the student to want to learn more? Each student has developed their own learning style by the time they enter our classroom. As instructors we have to determine their style of learning and teach the students according to their method of learning for their learning sucsess. As I work with students I have found students to be the visual and hands on learners. I do simulations and demonstrations for students which in turn they return a demonstration to show proof that they understand what I am teaching them. I am a Nursing Instructor, so therefore my motto is to demonstrate a nursing skill, the student does a return demonstrates and then the student is responsible to be able to do the skill.
Jan
Hi Janiel,
You are using the different learning styles in your presentation format. You are right the adult students have developed a level of comfort with how they prefer to take in new information. Student motivation increases when the students see value and relevancy to what they are learning. You are showing them both of these through your demonstrations and utilization of the new skills.
Gary
