Teaching is one profession that allows you to follow mutual communication in its most effective manner. For the communication process to be more fruitful, it is imperative to have instant feedback by inculcating active learning strategies. The same is very much possible in the case of teaching. As a teacher, you are aware that all students are not the same; in the way they behave, think, and perceive things.
Additionally, there is a considerable variation in the learning styles of your students. You may find that some of your students get to grab a concept just by reading it. Whereas others need a practical demonstration to understand what you teach them in class.
To cater to these distinct needs of your students in gaining knowledge, you have to provide them with various learning options to choose from. To practice this, you need to understand what type of learning is suitable for each student of your class.
Thus, you can conduct a class-survey on the learning needs of your students based on the different categories provided below. Then you need to record the data and form groups accordingly.
By allowing your students to select a mode of education by themselves, you give them an opportunity to choose their way of attaining education. The introduction of this teaching technique does not not only benefit your students, it is beneficial for you as well. This is because, rather than struggle to make your students understand your explanation, they learn in the most appealing way to them.
You just have to help your students go through the concept once. Then provide them with the freedom to explore it using a medium of their choice. This article focuses on different learning options that you can offer your students, to select from, as means of study.
Hi-Tech and knowledgeable platforms:
This forms the first group of your class, where you foster learning through technology tools. The worldwide web has provided us with access to plenty of information through the internet. Most of your students find it exciting to use the internet as a hi-tech means to gain subject knowledge. Through the use of various technological tools such as laptops, iPads, and Mobile phones.
Whether it is English, Political Studies or any subject of engineering, a multitude of YouTube videos, Podcasts, and educational blogs are available on the internet. This enhances their knowledge on almost every topic related to the respective subjects.
Thus, you can provide your students with an option to use these technological tools to access various hi-tech means of gaining knowledge, like the aforementioned. By allowing your students to use their technological gizmos for study purposes, you also help utilize their screen time in a more positive and productive manner.
Experiencing hands-on work:
Some of your students may find getting their hands-on work to be the most appropriate way for them to learn. This is because these practical means of learning provide your students with direct exposure.
To perform things on their own and visualize the results, right in front of their eyes. This becomes your second group of classes, where students get to learn from the real work scenario.
Moreover, it has been scientifically proven that our power of retention increases considerably. Especially, when we experience things on a visual level as compared to an auditory level.
Therefore, while teaching subjects such as chemistry, physics, and robotics, you can let your students perform various experiments on their own, under your supervision. This way, your students not only get to retain things in a better manner but also develop a keen interest in these subjects.
Traditional but phenomenal educational tools:
Despite the availability of numerous technological means, the importance of conventional ways of learning cannot be ruled out. This is because many of your students may still find it more engrossing to use conventional means of education, such as books, research papers, and journals. Therefore, based on the choices of your students, you can help them actively learn through this medium of education.
Moreover, these means of studying are known to help your students learn to concentrate in a better manner. If you teach subjects like Legal studies, Geography and History, you can give your students an option to visit the library.
Also to search for books and journals which cover the topic you have taught in the class. You can also assist your students in this task by providing them with a list of books, research papers, and journals, which may be very helpful for them.
Exploring Human Textbooks:
The fourth group can be formed of people who are good at grasping from discussions. There are many students who tend to learn better when things are taught to them using a debate. Being a teacher, you can facilitate the process of learning for your students.
You can provide them an opportunity to consult human textbooks such as you, their seniors, and other professors. Discussions on subjects that are related to advancements in modern technologies, such as automobile engineering, IoT, and Data analysis, are also known to promote your students’ sense of reasoning and logic.
It is because these discussions stimulate their mind to ask questions. And analyze the answers which they receive for them. You can also arrange some expert talk sessions after a regular interval of time. It will provide your inquisitive students an opportunity to discuss various topics in detail with experts from respective fields of study.
Agenda of Playful Learning:
This group would consist of the students, who are more inclined towards playing and fun learning methods rather than the core educational ways. For such students, you can devise some fun learning activities to learn better in a fun-filled and playful environment. Let us consider that you are an English teacher. You have to teach your students a lesson on ‘Teamwork’ by telling them a story on “The farmer and his four sons.”
To instill a playful environment, rather than dictating the story, make your students do what the farmer made his sons do in the story. You can first tell your students, to break a single stick each.
Then instruct them in trying to break several rods that have been tied together in the form of a bundle. In this way, you can grab the attention of your students in the class. And help them learn while they are engrossed in play.
It is a must for you as a teacher to address the varying learning demands of your students. It not only helps your students learn more effectively, it also helps you to achieve self-satisfaction. And most importantly, an inner joy for having been successful at fulfilling your purpose as a teacher.
