Susan Polick

Hi Tommy- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree, we need to lecture even though not all students respond well. I like the idea of giving the students an outline of what they will be doing in the lab (with key concepts highlighted) before the lecture to encourage students to pay attention to the concepts in the lecture that they will need to know in the lab. It really helps. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Chris- Thanks for your post to the forum. I really liked your "Chameleon" analogy. Changing our delivery styles is challenging but rewarding. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Fredrik- Thanks for your post to the forum. You are definitely addressing the learning styles of all your students -great work! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

HI Amanda - Are your students primarily auditory learners? Are you teaching them only one hour per week? Best wishes - Susan

HI Sara- Thanks for your post to the forum. I really believe that to be a good teacher is to be constantly learning and growing as well. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Nolan- Thanks for your post to the forum. Feeling comfortable with wait-time takes some practice but as you point out it pays off. Best wishes- Susan

Hi Denise- Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree - for example, even if I know the majority of my students are visual it still makes sense to add some auditory and tactile delivery just to have some variety. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Jay- thanks for your post to the forum. Students really do thrive when they feel that they are being understood and have an easier time absorbing instruction. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan

Hi Pamela- As I read through your post I had a strong feeling that your students are predominantly kinesthetic which you confirmed in your final sentence. Kinesthetic learners need to learn by doing so you are really doing a great job with them. It is of course often easier just to jump in and "do" it for them to quickly move on to the next step, but, as you say, they need to struggle a bit to really get it! Best wishes- Suan

Hi Tony - Thanks for your post to the forum. You make a very good point. Not all students will have the same abilities and still we need to be able to teach them. It is a delicate balancing act trying to teach so that the students who have less general education skills get it, without boring/frustrating those who can handle a faster pace. Best wishes- Susan