Every time I come across an injured animal, I always thought to myself, "I would make a great veterinarian." But I am not one.
Here's why I didn't end up being an animal doctor: My biology and science teachers from primary school all through college were BORING to me. They managed to make every fascinating thing in science and biology a dry, dull, and drab drill of rote memorization of Latin terms that never came to good use in my daily social interactions. So, I strayed away from science and delved into the field of communications.
I now find myself working for the past few years as a Program Strategist for an institution of higher learning. As I reflect on my surroundings - the students, teachers, classrooms - I said to myself, "If I was taught by a teacher who understands how I learn best, my mind would absorb all that knowledge like a sponge to water." However, more often than not, students have no choice but to try to get something out of what's being taught by the teacher--at the very least, learn just enough to get a passing grade. It's like pouring water over concrete. Not much is retained by the mind. Imagine how many potential geniuses are discouraged from pursuing a field of their interest because of an unfortunate match between the teaching and learning styles.
So, here's a thought:
If we can customize our drinks and even our sneakers, wouldn't it be great if we can customize the teaching styles of our educators to suit the best way we learn/gain knowledge?
Some children go through psychological analysis to understand how they learn. But this type of analysis is usually done only on those with a gift or learning difficulties. Why not extend the use of this analysis by creating the equivalent of a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for learning styles?
As learners, we need to assess and understand our learning styles.
As educators, we need to identify our teaching styles.
As educational institutions, we need to help learners find their right match for optimized learning.
But Inggrid, what do you call Teacher Evaluations, then?
Teacher evaluations are just scratching the tip of the ice-berg. Some people learn best by doing, some by reading, and others by a combination of both. So a particular instructor can get rave or aweful reviews one year versus the next on their evaluations. It's not that the teacher is good or bad... it's just whether the teaching style suited the learner or not.
To compensate for this subjectivity, we need to be more intentional in this effort. We have to be objective when identifying the learning and teaching methods. The better we match learning vs. teaching styles, the more graduates and skilled-workforce we will produce who are happy doing what they do best!
Here's why I didn't end up being an animal doctor: My biology and science teachers from primary school all through college were BORING to me. They managed to make every fascinating thing in science and biology a dry, dull, and drab drill of rote memorization of Latin terms that never came to good use in my daily social interactions. So, I strayed away from science and delved into the field of communications.
I now find myself working for the past few years as a Program Strategist for an institution of higher learning. As I reflect on my surroundings - the students, teachers, classrooms - I said to myself, "If I was taught by a teacher who understands how I learn best, my mind would absorb all that knowledge like a sponge to water." However, more often than not, students have no choice but to try to get something out of what's being taught by the teacher--at the very least, learn just enough to get a passing grade. It's like pouring water over concrete. Not much is retained by the mind. Imagine how many potential geniuses are discouraged from pursuing a field of their interest because of an unfortunate match between the teaching and learning styles.
So, here's a thought:
If we can customize our drinks and even our sneakers, wouldn't it be great if we can customize the teaching styles of our educators to suit the best way we learn/gain knowledge?
Some children go through psychological analysis to understand how they learn. But this type of analysis is usually done only on those with a gift or learning difficulties. Why not extend the use of this analysis by creating the equivalent of a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for learning styles?
As learners, we need to assess and understand our learning styles.
As educators, we need to identify our teaching styles.
As educational institutions, we need to help learners find their right match for optimized learning.
But Inggrid, what do you call Teacher Evaluations, then?
Teacher evaluations are just scratching the tip of the ice-berg. Some people learn best by doing, some by reading, and others by a combination of both. So a particular instructor can get rave or aweful reviews one year versus the next on their evaluations. It's not that the teacher is good or bad... it's just whether the teaching style suited the learner or not.
To compensate for this subjectivity, we need to be more intentional in this effort. We have to be objective when identifying the learning and teaching methods. The better we match learning vs. teaching styles, the more graduates and skilled-workforce we will produce who are happy doing what they do best!
