I believe that learners have individual learning style
preferences. I also believe that content
lends itself to being taught a certain way.
For example, it would be very difficult to teach art without using
visual, music without sound, or something like CPR without demonstration and
hands on. I think students should
understand where their strengths lie, but not be handicapped by them. We use many different evaluation and assessment
methods in our program. We would be
doing our students a great disservice if we only evaluated them based upon
their learning style preferences, as the text describes. Upon completion of our program, the students must sit for a national registry in
order to become registered technologists.
This is a 200 plus, multiple choice question examination. The answers to the questions are not up for
debate. There is only one correct
answer. According to the text, this is
great for the auditory learner, not so good for the visual or tactile
learners. However, because the students
have been exposed to these types of evaluations throughout the program, they
are prepared to take this examination.
We have had 100% first time pass rate for the previous five years or so,
and this year we were 95%. I think
because the students are evaluated in many different ways, as described in the text,
they are prepared not only for the registry, but for work in the “real world”
setting. In conclusion, I do not think
it is a good idea to only evaluate and assess based upon a student’s learning
style preference.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post on this subject. I think that you did such a wonderful job highlighting examples of how, "content lends itself to being taught a certain way."
I also agree that it is because you use many different modes of teaching to prepare your students that they are all able to perform well on their national registry.
As a student, I have found that I benefit the most from a teacher who uses a variety of methods of teaching and that the lessons allow me to connect with what I am learning.
Becca
You were up bright and early!! Thank you for the comments. I appreciate the feedback!
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