My Learning Journal...

Strength

Throughout the past few weeks we have learned a lot more about learning styles. One strength that I will take aware from this course is the ability to identify how my students learn. In my opinion, it is extremely important for me to be able to identify the proper ways to reach students in order for my teaching to be effective.

Improvement

I have found that one of my weaknesses that could use some work is developing specific assignments to tailor towards my students’ learning styles. While I am a creative person, I have never had to directly develop my teachings to suit a specific type of learning style. I am going to try to learn more about how to tailor my teachings more towards my students.

Insight

In addition to learning about my students learning styles, I have also learned more about my learning styles. I have gained a better understanding of how I learn and what keeps me captivated in the classroom. Understanding my own learning styles will help me to get a better understanding of how I teach as well.

Relationships and Learning...

One item stuck with me when reading Victor Hugo Rojas' blog Learning Styles Theory at controversy?, was when he wrote about when a teacher's teaching style and a student's learning theory match, the student has a greater experience in the course and they will have a better attitude towards the course.

I could not agree with this theory more. I have been through many classes, seminars, and training sessions than I care to count and I am always more engaged, curious, and susceptible to learn when the instructor is teaching or speaking in a way that matches my learning style. Sometimes I prefer a lecture and sometimes I prefer a more hands on approach, it just depends on what I am learning. It is very easy for me to lose interest if I am expecting hands on training and all I get is a lecture or vice versa.

I would tend to think that many students feel the same way as I do. I would imagine it would be hard to find a person that would not want an instructor or teacher to teach the way that most fits their learning style. To me it would seem like being in a relationship with a person that you have absolutely nothing in common with. There would be no substance or foundation to that relationship and would be incredibly difficult to make the relationship last.

Just like in a relationship, there must be a foundation and substance to learning that fits both the student and the teacher in order for there to be a great learning experience.

Survival of the smartest...I don't think so

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...

Welcome!

Greetings to all visitors! I have set up this blog to share my thoughts, feelings, and insights as I travel down the path of obtaining my degree in Adult Education. I hope you enjoy!!!