Strong (2002) states, “Teachers who successfully employ a range of strategies reach more students because they tap into more learning styles and student interests” (p. 43). Has this been your experience as a student? Give an example to either support or refute this statement.
Strong, J.H. (2002). Qualities of effective teachers. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
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I support this statement. I feel as that the more variety of instructional strategies used within a class, the more the students will learn. This is because through the many instructional strategies the teacher can present the class with, the more likely those students will have their interest/needs met. All children are unique, and different in their own way. This is not only based on learning styles, but also individual interests. Having a classroom that implements many learning strategies will better the students in their academic involvement and success. In my class here at UNI; Health for Elementary Students, the teacher introduced many learning strategies and ways of using them in the classroom. What I loved about this class, is that not only did the teacher introduce these strategies to us, but she also actively partook in them. Meaning, she implemented these strategies throughout her class for our own personal use. The many strategies she gave the class helped keep me on tract and motivated to do well. They made it so I was interested in the material being taught to us. For the papers we were expected to do in the course, she would assign the requirements, however, let us students decided how we wanted to meet "those" requirements based on the strategies given to us in the class.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the learning strategies implemented should be motivating to the students. Motivation increases the learning of students. The interests of the students play a big role in this. Your professor's use of the instructional strategies being implemented into the actual classroom was a very good idea and probably taught most of the college students how to implement by example.
DeleteThis definitely describes my experience as a student. I have learned that hands-on activities tend to teach me more than lectures. I feel as though a lot of people feel this way, although some people prefer to be lectured at. I have also learned that if a PowerPoint presentation has pictures incorporated in it, I learn better than a PowerPoint without pictures. The visual learning definitely helps. Young children are still trying to figure out their learning strategies so the early elementary years are crucial in implementing a variety of strategies. The older students tend to let you know what helps them, or they use their own strategies in their own time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Ms. Miller. You point out that young children are still trying to figure out their learning strategies, so it's important to include a variety of strategies. This is extremely true, and it is why it is crucial for teachers to implement many strategies during their instruction. I also agree with that hands-on activities seemed to help me more as well.
Delete-Miss Katie Wencl
I highly agree with the statement that Strong (2002) states based on my personal experience as a student and from what I have learned in my university classes. It's crucial for teachers to share many different learning strategies in attempt to reach all of the students and to help them better understand the content at hand. In the younger years, I think these type of strategies are more implemented into the instruction of the classroom. As for high school students, they may be aware of what strategies they like best; however, a teacher should still share new types of learning strategies rather than basing instruction off of preferred learning strategies. There are many learning strategies in the world, and if teachers don't share these in an upper education setting, students will never know about them, and they will never know if they could have helped them out. In my personal experience, learning strategies were implemented in the lower level and upper level education setting. I was often shown devices to help me remember certain material, especially Spanish vocabulary and ways to remember Spanish conjugations. I think this idea of always showing students new ways to do things, helps them not get stuck in the old ways and helps them broaden their views on education and learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important to help students learn the information by using a variety of techniques but also that you said so they can learn what techniques work the best for them. I think it is important that we teach students how to learn so in their future they can continue to learn new things especially in the world today that is always changing.
DeleteI think this is a very true statement. Every student learns information differently so it is the teacher’s duty to help the students in any way they can. Differentiating instruction is a huge part of being a teacher. Some students are hands-on learners while others are more visual learners. Using a variety of these techniques can help get all the students engaged and learning the needed material. In many of my liberal arts core classes it is only reading from the textbook and listening to lectures. While this is one way to get information it is not the most effective way for everyone. I like when teachers have us do hands-on activities such as projects or has us discuss topics in small groups. For me, those activities help me to remember the information much better and for a longer time than lectures and textbooks do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the part about hands-on vs. visual learners. The use of different techniques will help students learn the information quickly and efficiently. When you work more closely with the material you are going to remember it more. When reading a textbook or listening to the lecture you may not find the information important. When you are working hands-on you make the information important and organize it to stay in your long-term memory.
DeleteI believe that this statement is true. When teachers use a variety of instructional strategies they get more students interested. I believe that people do have learning styles but, some information cannot be shared in their learning style. I think that when teachers use different techniques they make students more interested. If a teacher constantly lectures for the entire class period they will quickly lose students interest. I really enjoy my classes and learn more from my classes when my professors take the time to do something different. It makes the material fun and easier to learn. I believe that it is hard for many teachers to come up with different strategies to use in the classroom. This is something I want to be able to do when I become a teacher.
ReplyDeleteGreat response! I agree, lectures do not keep my interest during an entire class period. Hopefully through our experiences, we will gain a variety of teaching strategies that we will be able to implement in our future classrooms. It's exciting to think about all the experimentation we get to take part in as educators.
DeleteI completely agree with you Ashley. I have a few lectures that are straight from the notes; sitting in your seat for an entire hour! As you have stated, students have different learning styles, and this is not one of mine. I am not motivated when I am a part of a class that is being strictly lectured. I enjoy, as well as get more out of the class if I have a hands on experience, or visiuals to go along with the information be given to me. There are some teachers who struggle with forming a variety of ways to motivate their students. I do not want to be one of those teachers in the future. I want to learn as many teaching strategies as I can.
DeleteI agree that learning becomes more enjoyable when teachers use of variety of teaching techniques. Using different techniques is also a great way to get students more involved and motivated. I hope I am able to learn as many teaching techniques as I can before I start my career.
DeleteThis comment goes along with Ashley Haugen's post. (I really don't understand why this computer won't allow me to click reply!) Anyways, I agree with what you said about how it may be hard for teachers to come up with different strategies. I think a lot of teachers, especially in upper grades, find one or two ways that work well for them to present information and materials and stick with them. I feel like some may think, well I have one way to do this, why do I need another? They stay in their comfort zone. But for us, as future teachers, it is very important that we vary our teaching strategies and the ways we present information so that we can reach all students. There are many ways to present information; we just have to be creative and find them.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the idea that the more instructional strategies a teacher uses, the more students he/she will reach. Every person learns differently and absorbs information in different ways. As teachers, it is important to vary our instruction and find new and creative ways to educate and engage students. When a teacher tries different things that keep the students active, they are more likely to reach the students and help them learn more. The more instructional strategies a teacher uses, the more learning styles are reached. Some students may like just listening to a teacher for an hour; others may need visuals or hands on activities. As a teacher, one needs to incorporate all the different learning styles in the classroom so everyone's needs are met. Using multiple strategies allows students to figure out what works best for them and how they learn as a student, and that is very important information that will guide them for the rest of their lives. As a student, I have found that multiple teaching strategies have helped me learn and understand more information. For example, whenever I am in a math class, I need visuals; I need to see the problems being done. In English classes, I like it when my teachers allow for class discussions and the chance for us to work with our peers. That strategy allows us to work together to come up with ideas about our own learning. We have the chance to hear what everyone thinks. There area many different ways of teaching and many different teaching strategies and it is important for teachers to incorporate as many as they can in their lessons.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a great point! "Using multiple strategies allows students to figure out what works best for them and how they learn as a students..." That is such a huge part of being a successful learner is exactly how you do it. Students cannot become successful learner when only one way is taught to them.
DeleteWe also have the same feelings towards math. I need to see how a problem is being done before I can actually do it. Being that we are all students once we know that we learn one way in this subject and maybe another in another subject. Our future students will be that way too!
I would have to agree with this statement based on my experience as a student from elementary, to middle school, and then through high school. I was always a very successful student in school, but there have been many instances where the teacher only taught one way and that way just did not adhere to me as a learner. In high school I had a teacher who had a set routine where she gave an assignment as homework and then the next day we would go over the assignment and learn the material. In other words the assignment given to us the night before was over something we had not learn yet. I think she thought it would make us read the book because we had to in order to figure out what we were doing. Math is one of my hardest subjects, so reading it from a book is not how I learn it. I need to see how to do it and then practice myself.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, when I had teachers who used different teaching strategies, the class became easier to understand otherwise difficult tasks, and made learning exciting. I firmly believe that switching things up in the classroom not only peaks interests, but may also reach those students who struggle in school.
Now as a college student I have a totally different opinion on this topic. I enjoy classes where their is routine, the teacher teaches the same way every day, and I know what to expect. I get extremely frustrated and stressed when the teacher tries to change things up because she thinks it will benefit the students. For me personally, it does not. I have enough on my plate as it is, that my goal is to learn the material and not have to adjust to learning it a differently.
I think as a future elementary teacher it is key to learning new teaching strategies because today's kids are learning in a whole other light. Providing different ways to teach allows for different ways to learn.
I agree with this statement entirely. It would seem merely impossible for a teacher to go about every day using the same teaching strategy. It is important to keep students of all skill levels interested and engaged. I have found through my experience as a college student that I enjoy small group discussions that transition into whole class discussions. This allows me to open up to the people I'm comfortable with before sharing my ideas with the entire class.
ReplyDeleteAnother teaching strategy that I have found to be successful is creating authentic activities. Allow for students to construct meaning and work towards discovering answers on their own.
But, contradictory to that statement, it is important to implement some structured instruction as well. Overall, variety seems to be the key here! Why not give your students a list of approaches and perspectives to learning!
I agree with what you say about it being impossible to do the same thing every day. I also agree with what you have to say about transitioning from small group to whole class discussions because I am the same way. I think your idea of creating authentic activities is great! I agree that there should be a little instruction, but giving them a little freedom with their learning.
DeleteI completely agree with that statement. I say that because each student learns differently, and if we as teachers only teach using one instructional strategy, we aren’t reaching the other students. By using different methods of teaching, it engages the students in different ways. It keeps them engaged in class instead of being bored from doing the same thing over and over again. Students tend to learn better when there is more variety in the classroom. I know that I am more of a visual learner so I love when professors have power points or handouts because then I can actually see or read what they are talking about. I also like activities that are hands on because I actually am participating, which helps me remember what I am learning better than just hearing, or even just seeing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement. I am a practical learner, meaning I learn best through hands on activities and visuals. I know from certain study groups, and study sessions with friends, that I have peers that learn better in lecture. Every student has a different style of learning, which is why it is important for teachers to use a variety of techniques. If teachers use a variety of techniques they will be able to accommodate all of their students. -Miss Dyall
ReplyDeleteI agree that using multiple learning strategies helps students to learn the lessons. If the student learns through multiple means, than they will be able to make more connections to the material and instruction. This will help them to employ the skills better later in life.
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