Learning Styles vs. Teaching Styles
I have found that just as the students find it easier to learn in certain ways, it is easier for me to teach to certain styles of learning. It is a constant effort to make sure that I consider the students' needs before mine.
That is most often the case Luis. It is more natural to teach in the style of learning we prefer ourselves.
That is true, we do tend to teach to our personal learning style. To get feedback, I discuss with another instructor how I plan to present the lesson material. He/she can see if I'm following a trend. If so, the other Instructor may be able to offer suggestions on how the material could be presented to the other learning styles. Two heads are better then one.
Wonderful, Steven! It is always good to solicit feedback. Too often experienced faculty get stuck in their old patterns of instruction. A great instructor constantly looks for ways to get new ideas to incorporate into their lessons.
Given that our natural tendency would be to teach to our own preferred learning style; what strategies might a teacher use to expose themselves to alternate instructional strategies? In my experience, I try to observe experienced teachers and pay attention to varying strategies.
I find that I am weakest in my presentation in my weakest area of learning which is from written information. I love to read and have learned a lot from reading on some subjects. However, when it comes to tactile activities I have never been good at reading manuals and technical texts.
Teaching at a vocational school I find most of my students are visual or tactile learns. So when I run into a learner who prefers to learn from written material I am really stretched. I find it very tedious to read the periodicals and new texts. Luckily I teach a very archaic subject, wooden boat building, so there is not a lot of new information coming out.
Instructors like everyone have their preferred learning methods,yet need to cater to all methods. How can we learn to teach to our weaknesses?
I feel it is important to understand that we all learn in different ways therefore we must provide different tools and techniques to try and reach everyone. This is done with hands on activities, team discussions, power points and other media format. We must also be willing to change of your style of teaching is not effective.
Steve, I like your point and agree that it is important to get feedback or help from students and other instructors. Why reinvent the wheel? If someone has tried a technique out and it is very effective than why not try it our for size yourself. As always it is important to listen to the students to hear what they have to say. If they are struggling that maybe change is necessary.
Recently I have begun to ask my class if there was something omitted from the course that they feel I should have demonstrated or been more thorough in explaining .Some times i can elaborate more clearly, other times it makes me more aware so when i address this topic in the next class i can alter my teaching style or make the class aware that the topic is or is not to be addressed.
You are wise James. A good teacher knows that they can always learn from their students.
I agree completely. I try to incorporate as many of the four styles of learning into each class session as I possibly can. The more that I can incorporate, the more successful class seems to be not only for the students, but for myself as well.
I have found that in my life I am very flexible. I enjoy change and enjoy a new way of teaching each day especially with young students. I play games with teaching spelling and the next day I teach it a different way. This works well with children. Older students like certain procedures/activities to remain the same. I enjoy changing styles and as a student I know the way I learn best so I adjust to the venue.
Josh
i find that i teach certain way because i am more confident with that syle and must make a constant effort to cnsiderwhat the students needs are.
James,
I also do this at the end of my courses. I pass out an anonymous survey I created which asks them several things. I ask them what they expected to earn as their grade and what their current grade is. I find that this can help figure out how to reach the students who struggle. I also like to ask what lessons they found most helpful, what lessons they disliked most, and ask them for suggestions to improve the class the next time I teach it. I have found that a number of my students offer valuable feedback, and often I see if I can fit that into my teaching schedule.
Hi Erin - It can be useful to ask students at the beginning of class what grade they hope to receive especially if you are teaching in a program where you will teach the students for several classes. It serves as a talking point in conversations about how students can improve their grades. Why didn't they make the grade they had expected and how they can change the way they study and learn?
Putting all the emphasis on the students' active role in my class makes me deversify teaching strategies and styles to a large extent;be flexible,let students make their own choices,that is my perspective;I always come with a plan that I keep only is learnig is being achieved.
