Do students 'self-select' areas of study/careers that employ their main learning style? For instance, I teach in the Fashion Design area. I assume that few students are auditory learners while most are visual learners. Does anyone find that to be true in thier experience?

What is an effective way to evaluate student learning styles? How effective is the shotgun approach--presenting information in all styles?

I have always tried to make my student feel at ease,because a relaxed student will accept knowlede more easily them if he feels pressured..

After reading through the first module, I thought to myself that I would have no problem implementing the strategies presented. Well, all of them but one! I have always felt that if I wasn't talking, the students weren't learning. I plan on practicing this technique in class on Monday and see how it goes. I am always up for anything that will be beneficial to the student's learning. Has anyone else implemented this pause for effect technique, and what were the results? I look forward to hearing from you. Anne

One technique I have used to get the attention of a class during the first meeting is to do something unexpected, and then surprise the class by showing how this unexpected thing actually demonstrates a key lesson. For example, in the first meeting of an Intro to Game Design class I had every student talk about why they chose to pursue a degree in game design. While they were talking I brought out a small plastic dinosaur and played with it on my desk. I kept this up for about fifteen minutes until I felt the class was about to question whether I was actually a teacher, then I sprang up and asked. "My playing with this plastic dinosaur; is that a game?" The class looked blankly at me for a moment, then one student shouted out "No!" I asked "why not?" and he replied "there is no objective." "That's right." I said, and continued. "What if I see if I can toss this dinosaur into that trash can? Is that a game?" "Yes! there is an objective now." Said the same student. In this way I had the entire class very focused on my lecture, always wondering what I would do next. I got more participation from that class than any other I've ever taught. Does anyone else have an example like this?

It seems the best way to help students is be able to learn new ways of instructing a course. How does one do a self-check to keep from becoming to stiff in a classroom?

I have used this technique with students who are struggling. I show them the reading they should have and ask them to explain it to me on the wiring diagram.

Currently, I am having some difficulties in keeping learners motivated in a team project. The main problem is communication. One of team members currently is stationed in another country. The remaining members are living on the west coast and the east coast. In keeping the discussions active, I am using Skype. Do you have any suggestions in keeping the team motivated? Dr. Sandy Braxton

I believe it is important in delivering lectures, to ensure you take into account the fact there may be students with learning disabilities. If a student shows signs, either through their responses or questions during class, this should be addressed properly.

how do you construct matching tests that are easy for the student to enter their choice and for the instructor to grade the test?

Working with students with disabilities has a number of benefits for the instructor as well as for the student. The student gains competency and confidence in his/her progress, and the instructor gains the appreciation of that student for the individual attention as well as a feeling of having helped a motivated individual dealing with a life-long challenge strive toward a satisfying career goal.

I always try to correct the wrong answers before they set in the minds of the students, by reviewing the correct answers after the test.

I have found that reading your class and reteaching immediately is very effective

I found that I maybe asking too much in one question.When this happens break the question up into smaller components.

helped me with generating new ideas for presentation to give the students more of a variety.

As an instructor, it should be expected to teach a diversity of learners. I feel that we want our students to succeed. We know the goals and objectives of the course we are teaching and so we can manipulate the learning track and set all students up for success without them even knowing it. Therefore, it is so important to consider this when designing curriculum, projects, content...etc. I feel that if the course is carefully set up to address this from the start, then the issues that stem from a diverse group of learners can be diffused before they escalate to frustration or boredom - depending upon which side a student falls.

How do you handle outdated text material if that is the text assigned by your corporate organization?

My best man has a son, Scott, who is in 9th grade, and has a learning disability. The High School he is in has gone away from textbooks and everything is done via a lap top. But because Scott has a LD such an approach is not working for him, for a multitude of reasons. He really needs to have a good old fashion textbook, and an individual plan to meet his individual needs.

I use focus/learning groups a lot in my classes, because it helps in the overall learning experience. Additionally, I found that keeping them in the same group for the entire term is the best approach. They have the opportunity to learn from other by learning about one another. But I also found that some students just hate this approach, and these seem to be the engineering students. The thing is this - what job does one really work all alone with no contact with anyone else.

I good friend of mine told me that when something is miscommunicated, the problem mainly resides with the sender and not the communicator. If we accept this presence then the first step in becoming a better instructor is to accept the responsibility that we may not be doing a good job of getting something accross. Once we acknowledge that important fact/tenet then we can work on other skill sets. One involves empathy, patiences and understanding. Another is we need to become better listeners.