Mixing different learning styles
When putting students into groups. Put students in the group with different learning styles so they could feed off of each others abilities and strengths
i think it's good to mix them up also sometimes the same ones will be the worker. so on other times i will put the same learners togeather
I tried that to some success in a management course that I taught. I was able to maximize the students' learning abilities based on their learning styles.
I always try and locate students who could face challenges and pair them with outgoing students. This has worked many times for me and the more challenged students have a more pleasant experience in class and lab.
Hi Roy,
Good strategy and one that helps both types of students to learn how to work with others. It is a win win situation when you see how benefits are coming to each student.
Gary
Its very important to address all learning styles when it comes to teaching. Therefore in addition to lecturing, we should use videos, hands on, field trips if possible as everyone does not learn the same. Our goal is to meet all learning needs.
Hi Andrea,
Good point. By addressing the different learning preferences you are giving each student and opportunity to work within his/her area of intake comfort and style. This enhances both engagement and retention.
Gary
I suspect we all would agree that it is difficult to identify the learning styles of all the students in our classes by mere observation. By the time we have a "fix" on each student's learning style, there is little time remaining in the class to actually use the information. I would like to know how successful others have been using the standardized evaluations mentioned in the course.
I actually assign different learniques in my classroom. It is satisfying to see which students apply different learning styles.
I have not used one of the standardized evaluations but it might help me identify learning styles among the students quicker because of time constraints.We
have a limited amount of time in which to get the information to students this could help to maximize the effectiveness.
Hi Gilbert,
Is it possible for your school to do the a learning preference assessment as part of the intake and share that information with the instructors? This way you would know the preferences of your students prior to the class starting and you could plan accordingly.
Gary
This methodology works great in the technical learning environment. By mixing learning styles students can tutor each other to emprove the learning experience
I have done this exact thing. I will always build groups for projects around the types of learners I have in class. I find that this helps improve their chances of success.
Having students that show signs of needing extra time and assitance when being paired up with a stronger person, I have noticed they seem to try harder to keep up with the stronger students.
And the stronger students enjoy helping others and setting the example.
I will usually pair them the same way unless I feel the student needs development in a certain area. Like leadership or maybe a more submissive role not as a leader.
Students often claim they learn "hands on" for example but I teach a technical field and I wonder that they are just resisting the reality that they have to know operational theory as well and sometimes theory must be obtained through lecture to truly know how or why something works.
Albert,
You make a good point. I feel I am a hands on learner but I as probably you as well have had many courses in our backgrounds to give us the foundational knowledge required to be successful in our technical areas. Students need to have both if they are going to move forward in their careers.
Gary
I like what you said. I have put students into groups with different learning styles and they do a great job at learning.
i've noticed a postive outcome when pairing students with varying learning styles.
Rickey,
This is common because they have similar approaches to the material. The more of these kinds of connections you can make the more engaged the students are going to be.
Gary
