James Dorr

Blog

Retention is a major factor for student success

Having completed course 102, I have been reminded of all the facets that need to occur in the classroom in order to keep a student's interest and motivation. How a student learns best (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) is important; but, equally important is why the student has chosen to be there, and how do they imagine this course will help with attaining their goal. The instructor needs to interact with all these aspects as the course progresses to completion. I have gotten some deeper understanding of what I need to bring to each student, and some valuable ideas to put into… >>>

James Dorr

Discussion

New thoughts for motivation

ED112 has some great ideas for tightening the approaches to class activities and instructor support. It was good to be reminded about an adult student's need for security and autonomy, and that these may be provided easily and with comfort. Adults may make more of the daily and course decisions, and add input to which direction they want to go. I got a good insight into intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.

James Dorr

Discussion Comment

New thoughts for motivation

ED112 has some great ideas for tightening the approaches to class activities and instructor support. It was good to be reminded about an adult student's need for security and autonomy, and that these may be provided easily and with comfort. Adults may make more of the daily and course decisions, and add input to which direction they want to go. I got a good insight into intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.

James Dorr

Blog

Transcending Learning "Types"

If the insructor is passionate about the information being studied, there will be a genuine attempt to present the material in as many ways as possible. By doing so, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning needs are met, and retention is strengthened. I question the premise that an instructor needs to know each student's learning strengths; however, I do imagine that there may be a significant advantage to a student knowing his/ her's learning strengths, and requesting the material be presented in a way that he/she may best understand, and, hence, retain, the information being shared. In college, one develops the… >>>

James Dorr

Discussion Comment

Motivating through personal professional experiences

How often have you answered a question by relating an experience you had in your career? And how often have you helped a student see a situation in another way or a more meaningful way by sharing your personal experiences in that same, or a similar, situation. I find that bringing in a personal experience, be it my own or a students, is more powerful than just discussing the situation from a strictly mental viewpoint. Usually, a class will grasp the answer faster, and will become engaged quicker, adding their own thoughts, or bringing up another concern or question, perhaps… >>>