Merging Teaching and Learning Styles

April 3, 2006

This is the third tip in a three-part series on learning and teaching styles and the use of technology to adapt to different styles. February’s newsletter introduced you to learning styles and gave you a chance to determine your own learning style. March’s newsletter addressed teaching styles and included a resource for you to discover your teaching style. In this month’s tip we look at how teaching and learning styles can be integrated and how technology can help.

There are several teaching techniques that you can select from that fit different teaching styles and different learning styles at the same time.

Motivate student learning by tying content to what students have learned before, what they will learn in the future, content in other courses, and students’ own experiences. Using images, videos, learning objects, and even discussion boards can all assist you with motivating students.
Provide illustrations or concrete examples that a theory describes or shows how a theory can be validated. There are a variety of digital resources that can be used to provide illustrations and examples.
Use pictures, schematics, graphs, or other visual material before, during and after the presentation of verbal material. Such material can be placed in myWPI for students to review before and after a lecture, but it can also be displayed during a lecture.
Use learning objects or simulations that give students hands-on experiences with a concept. Link these items in myWPI so they can practice with them until they feel comfortable with the concept.
Assign drill exercises to provide practice in the basic methods being taught. Self-tests in myWPI is one tool you can use.
Give students the option of cooperating on assignments. Use myWPI to set up “groups” where students can share documents and discuss among themselves outside of class.

These are just a few of the teaching strategies you can use to address different learning styles. Pick strategies that feel appropriate for your teaching style. If you are looking for more ideas on how to merge your teaching style with the learning styles of your students, contact the ATC at atc-ttc@wpi.edu or 508-831-5220.

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Last modified: Mar 31, 2006, 09:52 EST

Merging Teaching and Learning Styles

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