Learner-Centered Teaching Tutorial Chapter 8
Workshop Objectives
At the completion of the workshop for chapter 8, the reader will be able to:
1. Give an example of how an instructor can incorporate a multi-sensory approach into a lesson in order to increase student learning and retention of the information.
2. List and explain the five different principles of using multimedia in the classroom.
3. Explain why authentic learning is a multi sensory experience.
At the completion of the workshop for chapter 8, the reader will be able to:
1. Give an example of how an instructor can incorporate a multi-sensory approach into a lesson in order to increase student learning and retention of the information.
2. List and explain the five different principles of using multimedia in the classroom.
3. Explain why authentic learning is a multi sensory experience.
Chapter Summary
Chapter 8: Teaching To All The Senses
The purpose of this chapter is to explain how using a multi sensory approach to teaching can improve student learning (Doyle, 2011). By utilizing this type of approach when teaching, an instructor can enhance the learning experience of students in addition to meeting students' needs by teaching to their preferred learning style. As discussed in previous chapters, planning is the key to enhancing the learning experience for the students- it is up to the instructor to integrate the different senses into the lesson content.
Helping Your Students
We have all heard the saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I tend to disagree- it is possible, but very hard to do. In the case of students and their study methods, they have been conditioned over time to commit everything to memory, but what is interesting is that students will actually learn more if the instructor uses a multi sensory approach in his/her teaching (Doyle, 2011). Doyle mentions that research over the years has yielded similar results- when the instructor teaches so the students use more than one of their five senses (e.g. sight and hearing) they will retain the information better. The sense of smell can also add to the learning experience as long as the smell is one that fits the learning experience- the smell must be a positive one, and, when elicited in the future, will help the student to recall the memory as the sense of smell is located in a part of the brain that is next to the place where memories are stored (the piriform cortex).
Helping Your Students
We have all heard the saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I tend to disagree- it is possible, but very hard to do. In the case of students and their study methods, they have been conditioned over time to commit everything to memory, but what is interesting is that students will actually learn more if the instructor uses a multi sensory approach in his/her teaching (Doyle, 2011). Doyle mentions that research over the years has yielded similar results- when the instructor teaches so the students use more than one of their five senses (e.g. sight and hearing) they will retain the information better. The sense of smell can also add to the learning experience as long as the smell is one that fits the learning experience- the smell must be a positive one, and, when elicited in the future, will help the student to recall the memory as the sense of smell is located in a part of the brain that is next to the place where memories are stored (the piriform cortex).
Using Multimedia
Multimedia can be a very effective way to improve student learning in the classroom. As previously mentioned, an instructor that incorporates the different senses into a lesson will help the students to learn and retain the information better. By utilizing multimedia, that instructor is adding visuals to the learning experiences which can result in a positive gain by the students. In using multimedia, there are five things an instructor should keep in mind, these principles are:
Multimedia can be a very effective way to improve student learning in the classroom. As previously mentioned, an instructor that incorporates the different senses into a lesson will help the students to learn and retain the information better. By utilizing multimedia, that instructor is adding visuals to the learning experiences which can result in a positive gain by the students. In using multimedia, there are five things an instructor should keep in mind, these principles are:
- Students learn better when they hear and see something. When adding a visual to a verbal description, students better understand a concept or idea rather than if the instructor were to just explain something to the class.
- Student learning is increased when they are presented with a visual and a verbal description at the same time rather than one after another. Seeing the picture while the description is given helps the students to relate the big picture to what they are being taught.
- It is better to present words verbally to students rather than simply asking them to read a chapter and hope they understand it.
- It is also better to avoid using wordy descriptions and too many pictures as that can take away from the learning experience.
- Summaries should be short rather than too long- the short version will summarize the main and most important points, so students will grasp the most important information better through a short summary.
Using Games to Enhance Learning
In this age of technology, it is safe to assume that students are familiar with using multimedia and games. Technology advances have provided us with many different forms of learning, including the use of games to promote learning. Doyle (2011) mentions that there are many different educational games that have been produced that aim to promote cooperation, higher level thinking skills, problem solving skills, among others. Utilizing educational games can be entertaining ways for an instructor to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. In physical education classes, games are the best way to see if students are able to apply the skills they have been taught during the lessons.
In this age of technology, it is safe to assume that students are familiar with using multimedia and games. Technology advances have provided us with many different forms of learning, including the use of games to promote learning. Doyle (2011) mentions that there are many different educational games that have been produced that aim to promote cooperation, higher level thinking skills, problem solving skills, among others. Utilizing educational games can be entertaining ways for an instructor to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. In physical education classes, games are the best way to see if students are able to apply the skills they have been taught during the lessons.
Authentic Learning
Doyle (2011) mentions that students will learn more from engaging in the content (whether by simulations, virtual reality, etc.) in multiple ways than they would by simply hearing or seeing the information. By allowing students to engage verbally, physically, and through sight and hearing, these students will be able to remember more simply by doing and will be better able to apply that information in real life situations.
Doyle (2011) mentions that students will learn more from engaging in the content (whether by simulations, virtual reality, etc.) in multiple ways than they would by simply hearing or seeing the information. By allowing students to engage verbally, physically, and through sight and hearing, these students will be able to remember more simply by doing and will be better able to apply that information in real life situations.
Concept Mapping
Concept maps provide a great way to engage the various senses of the students during a lesson. A concept map is a visual aid that students can create to help them organize knowledge or course content. In order to create a concept map, students have to transfer the written word into visuals and arrange them in a hierarchical order; general concepts at the top of the map, and specific concepts toward the bottom. The following diagram shows a concept map of concept mapping. This map explains how the mental (or concept) map is designed to help students to organize information and to also reconstruct ideas, and from that then being able to answer specific questions or explain ideas.
Concept maps provide a great way to engage the various senses of the students during a lesson. A concept map is a visual aid that students can create to help them organize knowledge or course content. In order to create a concept map, students have to transfer the written word into visuals and arrange them in a hierarchical order; general concepts at the top of the map, and specific concepts toward the bottom. The following diagram shows a concept map of concept mapping. This map explains how the mental (or concept) map is designed to help students to organize information and to also reconstruct ideas, and from that then being able to answer specific questions or explain ideas.
Personalized Connection to Physical Education
Mental imagery is something that is commonly used in the sport world, and it is something I use on a regular basis when I compete onstage or run a marathon to help me envision what I need to do in order to complete the task at hand. This chapter discussed utilizing a multi sensory approach when teaching- incorporating all the different senses and how that can influence learning. As imagery has helped me, it can also help my students, especially in helping them to remember important information about a skill or a sport. For example, I teach several sport related classes, and I have the students watch video clips of themselves performing each different skill. In this way, they are able to do (perform the skill), see (watch themselves execute the skill), and hear (we discuss the positives and negatives of the performance). It is one thing to be able to perform a skill, but if a teacher is not able to watch someone else perform the skill and analyze the performance and then correct via feedback, then that teacher is not doing his/her job in the physical education world. This goes for in the gymnasium when teaching children, as well as in the higher education setting when I am teaching my undergraduate students. Every person is an individual and they all have their own individual learning styles, so it is up to the teacher to determine how best to present information to the class- whether by telling them, showing them, or having them do the skill, we as teachers need to be prepared to do all three when teaching skills to our students.
Suggestions for Implementation
The best way to use a multi sensory approach is through a well thought out lesson plan. Keep in mind that all students learn differently, and the more ways they can experience the information, the better. When presenting information to the students, be sure to provide visuals such as pictures, power point slides, or video clips to help them see the information as well as hear the information you are sharing with them. Even better is to add a component such as a role play or class discussion where the students are also able to take an active part in learning the course content. As mentioned in Doyle (2011), the more senses that are involved in the learning process, the better chance the students will retain the information.
References
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner centered teaching: Putting the research on learning into practice. Sterling, VA: Stylus.