Teaching Styles
Given the different learning styles of their students, professors will often try to accommodate them by presenting material in a variety of ways. However, there are circumstances when a mismatch occurs between how they teach and how students learn. Teaching styles vary widely, so let’s look at some of them and ways you might adapt.
Teacher-centered Styles – Lectures dominate this style, as the instructor assumes the role of expert authority. Ideas are presented through notes, visual support, and summaries. Teachers who adopt this style are usually very organized and systematic and are able cover a lot of material in one session to large groups. While a minority of professors will confine themselves to verbal lecture, with minimal interaction, written, or visual support, others will write extensively on the board, post notes on a screen or virtual whiteboard, or display PowerPoint slides. They will usually open topics for discussion. Teachers who favor a demonstration style will model techniques or procedures and show students how theories can be applied. However, student participation can be limited.
Adaptation:
Brush up on your listening and notetaking skills. If you’re a visual learner, request additional sources for graphic materials, like diagrams, charts, videos or podcasts, and illustrations.Increase opportunities for contact with your professor! As an old, Danish proverb says, “He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning.” During lectures, ask for clarification of a point. When you submit assignments, request feedback about your work and make appointments for one-on-one consultations. If you’re a hands-on kind of learner, ask for opportunities to apply methods individually or with other students.
Student-centered Styles –This style might be rooted in this thought by Socrates: “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” Activities in these classes focus on students, rather than teachers. That’s obvious, of course, but student-centered styles vary. In general, class sessions tend to emphasize interaction and self-discovery. You’ll see this, for example, when teachers adjust seating arrangements to accommodate large circles or small group clusters. Active learning, collaborative work, discussion, and project-based work are liberally featured.
Adaptation:
Many students will say that they prefer student-centered teaching styles, but when there is a lot of emphasis on self-directed tasks, you may find yourself wanting more direction. Ask for it! Your teachers shouldn’t have a problem obliging you if you ask for demonstrations of tasks or models of projects and assignments. See if your instructor if he or she produces podcasts of lectures or can refer you to good sources. And if you work best solo but you are expected to work in a group, you still have chances to be a productive member. Volunteer to do work that benefits from independent activities, such as research, interviewing and surveying, fact-checking, editing, or web development.
References:
La Farge, Phyllis. “7 Keys to Learning.” Parents. February 1994.
Wilson, Leslie Owen. Eighth Intelligence: Naturalistic Intelligence. 1998
Felder, Richard. Learning Styles.