In this last of our three-part series, we will discuss how instructors can get everyone engaged in the classroom.
To accommodate a diverse audience of learners understanding learning styles and how each style prefers to learn is important. This information is critical to building a successful program through ensuring the content meets the different styles and the activities and projects are focused on the goals of your training.
Visual Learners
Content delivery should include videos, presentations, documents, whiteboarding and images. These visual learners gravitate to what they see and incorporate/absorb data from the various visual aids. Demonstrations and hands on activities make them think and process the information.
Being able to actively give their thoughts, discuss options and work through problems are key. Small group learning with different types of visually focused content is a great way to get these learners actively sharing, leading discussions and resolving problems.
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners benefit from hands-on learning and often do better with smaller groups or individualized instruction. Instructors don’t need to change their teaching style to accommodate these learners unless it’s a lecture-based program. Using hands-on activities and project-based learning is very powerful with this group.
Engaging the auditory learner requires creating an environment conducive to learning. This includes incorporating technology, including time for collaboration, using small group learning, and using project and activity-based learning are all ways to get auditory learners engaged.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners respond to demonstrations, simulations, and other activities, where they come in direct contact with the subject matter under discussion. Kinesthetic learners gain the most information by doing. This group responds particularly well to hands-on activities, experiments, and real-life examples.
This includes incorporating technology, including time for collaboration, using small group learning, and using project and activity-based learning are all ways to get auditory learners engaged.
Interestingly enough, all learners want to be involved in their learning. The key is to provide a learning environment that’s inclusive, engaging, collaborative and activity-based.
Jigsaw Interactive is the only virtual classroom that was built specifically for training and learning. It encompasses all the tools necessary to get all types of learners actively engaged and learning. With easy-to-use customizable break out rooms, Jigsaw provides a powerful way to have small group learning be effective. Regardless of the learning style, Jigsaw offers tools that will meet each learner’s needs.
