Some people may think that learning styles cater to students too much and create too much hand-holding with students today. Many think that it should be the "survival of the smartest". I am not one of those people.
Lets think of it this way: if you and your family of four were headed out the door for a family dinner and your five year old was having trouble getting their shoes on, would you simply say "oh well, Billy wasn't fast enough so we will just leave him here"? No, you would not (or at least I would hope you would not), you would help Billy get his shoes on and get him up to speed with the rest of the family.
Students (both adults and children) learn differently and at different paces. We would be failing at our jobs as educators if we were to let a student lag behind the class simply because they didn't learn as fast as everyone else. Some times students may need a little extra help or an opportunity to sit down with an instructor or teacher to seek clarification on something they may not quite follow.
Teachers and instructors must be well prepared to recognize the needs of their students. They must be able to have the ability to see weak spots for students and work to help those students overcome their weaknesses. Would you be able to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day if you took the approach, as an educator, of learning is the survival of the smartest? I, for one, would not...
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I love your analogy of leaving the house and not getting your shoes tied as fast as the rest of the crew. I will use that one in the future! Makes me think of all the times we sometimes leave others in the dust at meetings or whatever it might be. We don't give them a chance to catch up to the rest of us in a particular area. We all have strengths and when we are in need, we hope someone will help US tie our shoes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian...
Jason
Okay, I liked the analogy too - although my mom threatened me a lot when I wasn't ready on time... And Jason brings up a good point too about leaving people behind in meetings - but where do we draw the line? We can't always teach to the people who aren't getting it - the ones who do get it will get bored and frustrated just the same. How do we strike a good balance? Is it possible?
ReplyDeleteGood point! I do think we can strike a balance by using the strength of the whole group. The teacher can't do it all so why not try and bolster those who DO get it by partnering them with someone who is struggling. In my experience, small groups of two, three, or four help tremendously. Especially with adults, we all come at a workshop or course with vastly varying experiences and degrees of knowledge of the material. Depending on the learning style, this technique may work as well as having other resources for them to rely on on their own.
ReplyDeleteBryan:
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you regarding the importance of teachers recognizing the needs of students. Although some needs may go undetected, I believe it's crucial for facilitators to make the effort to recognize learners’ preferences to better understand their learners. I don't think that we, as facilitators, can ask learners to expand their way of thinking if we don't. We must walk the talk to enable opportunities for learners’ growth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Okay, I will raise my mouse and add a toast to this conversation! Is it possible for any student to excel in all facets of learning? Doesn’t everyone falter somewhere along the learning trail…or is it just me! Watch it! I heard all of you say “YEAH!” ;) We can’t always teach to the people who aren’t getting it, but aren’t they the ones who needs teaching the most? Would it not be a great tool for another student’s toolbox, to offer the assistance Jason suggested? You see, some students are fast learners and exert strength in a lot of learning techniques. Some students may already excel in the subject matter and may need the course for promotional or other benefits. But what about the student that is really in it for the learning, the know how….the student that know they are having a hard time comprehending , but wants to learn the material, no matter what it takes? They have the crazy idea that school is where they can come and be taught…or is that not the case in this new millennium? That’s sorta like, two patients going to the doctor; one has a remedy for his ailment in his hand, and the other one doesn’t. Which one should the doctor focus on? Okay---this subject struck too close to home! :)
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