Converting Your Learning
August 18th, 2008 at 9:52 am (Articles, College Students)
By Shelly A. Meyers, Ed.D.
When students are in the K-12 atmosphere most teachers consider it their job to teach to all learning styles, particularly when there is an IEP to consider. This is not the case in the college atmosphere. There will be many more lecture presentations than discussions and in some cases PowerPoint is something very new. So how do students approach a course that is being taught outside of their preferred learning style? Particularly for students with ADD this is a challenge. The following are abbreviated steps that can be taken to convert the presentation of the professor to the learning style of the student.
Step 1: Identify your preferred learning style or modality and the professor’s teaching style. There are three basic types of learning modalities depending on the theorist. However, the most common are auditory, visual, and tactile/kinesthetic. For most students with ADD or traits of ADD the most preferred are the visual and tactile/kinesthetic. In college the teaching types are lecture, discussion, and hands-on or combinations of each. It is a good idea to ask upper classmen about professors and their teaching styles—they’ll be happy to let you know.
Step 2: Ask the professor about the best way to study for the class. Some professors will give students copies of their notes or post their PowerPoints or recorded lectures to an internet site. If the professor happens to teach the same course on-line those resources will most likely be readily available. Be sure to indicate your accommodations and how these tools will benefit your learning in the course. Also ask the professor to recommend a student tutor. When students speak in “student” language, the same information just comes out easier to understand.
Step 3: Convert the professor’s presentation to your style of learning. If the professor lectures—convert the audio recording into PowerPoint notes or form a discussion study group. If the professor provides PowerPoint notes—convert it into a hands-on activity. These skills can be difficult to build in the beginning, but by the time you figure out your best way of learning—it will be well worth your time. If you have an ADD coach, ask him or her to help you with the conversion during your sessions. Be sure to store all of your conversions to study for exams—especially the final exams.
For more information please contact Dr. Meyers at ude.enotsemilnull@sreyems.
