Learning Style vs Instructional styles
Learning styles of students and instructional styles of teachers are important aspects that needs considerations in teaching. These are big challenges on the part of the teacher. Firstly, the teacher must be adept in implementing the instructional style he/she is going to use. Secondly,teachers should not just use any instructional style for the sake of variety, but rather use an instructional style that would maximize the achievement of the learning goals set. Example; in teaching skills to be learnt, the best instructional style for me is demonstration. Role play for me is excellent when demonstrating attitude/affective domain in learning.
Hi, Maria-
You are so correct in suggesting role playing to demonstrate concepts in the classroom and allow students to exhibit their individual learning styles! In my courses, I ask for volunteers and then we each take an opposing viewpoint, with others chiming in why our points are valid or invalid in the argument. This helps engage students in the subject matter and understand why their peers either agree or disagree. It also helps me as an instructor to observe the different lines of thinking used by students.
When you demonstrate ideas, do you ask for opinions of your students?
Yes I do ask students for their opions. It is one of my primary methods of feedback to make sure the student understands the concepts.
