Get Your Students Hired
Errol,
Yes, that is true, so long as instructors remain engaged and acting as guides throughout. Self-directed learning requires instructional support for effectiveness.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Lyle,
Indeed! All learning styles and preferences can be supported through blended delivery...although we still require instructor intervention and flexible instructional design to accomodate the level of diversity that results.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Todays students grew up with computers and like to use them to look up information. By using a blended learning the stundents gets the oppertunity of learning with the systems they are going to be using in the field.
Using a blended delivery will benefit a variety of student learning styles and previous experiences. This will aid in the presentation of the material and how quickly the students will be able to adapt to the learning process and the information presented. It will also aid me in observing if the student/s have obtained the required information and on track.
Blended course delivery that includes in class presentations and discussions with students and instructor, along with group and individual lab projects guided by the instructor, and online activities with extra study resourses will help all kinds of learning styles.
With a blended learning program students with different learning styles can choose what works best for them. When their engagement in the material is greater increased learning is possible.
Steven,
Yes, so processing information as well as managing the entire process of learning is different for each student. New technology can help customize the learning environment for each student. Great points!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
I like the way this module went beyond the four basic learning styles and used the different model's interpretations of individual types. It gave me a much more detailed description of how different people process information and learn new information.
A blended course delivery which includes in class presentations and discussions, group and individual lab projects, online activities and resourses will help maximize the learning process for many different kinds of learners.
David,
I like your point about your having more time as students take on more responsibility in their own learning - while age does make a difference in many ways, my experience has been that success using new technology depends on an innovative mindset rather than technology knowledge - the latter can be acquired if the former is in place or being developed.
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Younger students will benefit, because they have the opportunity to learn through the use of modern technology that they are already accustomed to. Older students who might not be as technologically savvy will still be reached. With the integration of web based learning, I might have more time to help students who require one on one contact.
John,
Blended delivery provides opportunity for both face-to-face and group learning. This supports maximum results...
Dr. Ruth Reynard
Yes, i find that this one-on-one helps and bildeds up the students confadeance.
The blended learning delivery will give the instructor tools to help capture all of the varied student populations. The use of technology can be very helpful with the younger students but is very difficult for the older learners. The use of a blended learning with technology and specific class objectives will help the learners take control of their own outcomes. Class size and availability to computers and technology(wireless access) will limit the successes of these new methods in a technical environment or tech school. Use of blended delivery will also need to be more outcome oriented especially in a technical environment to succeed.
bob,
I agree that career and vocational schools have an advantage over more conventional programs as they are more experiential and hands on which is the more successful way to learn. This must also be balanced, however, with developing research and writing and good communication and presentation skills in our students. Employers still look for the all-round employee who can both do and explain; describe and apply, in any situation. Good discussion!
Dr. Ruth Reynard
This is nothing new to us that teach in trade schools as we have been doing this style of teaching forever.When explaining a technical aspect of a certain system or procedure, some students can learn by an explanation, others by a demonstration, and still others by a combination of both. It is not unusual for me to use the one on one technique either.It seems as though no two school systems teach the same either,so having a vast array of styles and techniques can only help the student and instructor.
John,
Good point - do you find that blended can increase the opportunities for those one-on-ones?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
You have many different ways of leaning and using the blended delivery will help but, you still can’t beat the one on one for the student that is having issues.
james,
Can you be specific regarding how the technology and your instructional design help address the various learning styles of your students?
Dr. Ruth Reynard
it helps so you dont have students get behind in class and you try to keep them on a level field. i deal with a wide varitey of age groups and they all learn differently.
Dean,
Do you think it also enhances the learning process for students? If so, how?
Dr. Ruth Reynard