Different Learning Methods and Approaches - Essay Example

STR Learning Methods. Department Different scholars people acknowledge that every individual favor different learning methods and approaches. Learning methods cluster general ways that individuals learn. Everybody has a blend of learning methods. Some people might discover that they have a prevailing approach with far less application of the rest. Conventional schooling applied and still maintains mostly used logical and linguistic teaching it further applied limited mix of teaching and learning techniques. Many learning institutions still depend on book based and classroom, pressured tests for fortification and evaluation and some repetition. Consequence of this is we sometimes tag learners who use less preferred methods as “bright’ while those who apply most like techniques as dumb. These kinds of perceptions can cause and create negative and positive twists that emphasize the conviction that a person is bright or dumb. A research on student Learning methods indicates that interesting lecture is not essentially good teaching. Even though students are entertained they might not have grasp anything. Better methods of learning are most probably been improved through an integration in the lecture of illustrative skill and other communicative approaches. Lectures are delivered by a teacher to great number f students. In most cases in person but sometimes conducted through a film or video broad cast. The advantages of applying lecturing as a learning method are; students acquire an overview of the topic quickly, continent of a subject can be controlled, allows for use of recognized, it is cost effective, it’s a common method of delivery, expert in the subject of study and students can be motivated by the lecturer. Drawbacks of lecturing are it doesn’t permit for various learning capabilities or speed of learners, it mostly viewed as boring by students, location and time are mostly directed by the lecturer. Student learning is also hard to gauge. Communication in a lecture is monologue. Audience is always passive. One needs a concise introduction and summary of the intended topic of discussion. Preparation requires time and content in order to be successful .Presentations pursue a similar approach to lecture however they are more likely to be conducted beyond formal education surroundings such as the workplace. Presentations are sometimes brief and often integrate high tech visual aids. Advantages of presentations are it can be done simultaneously. Before preparing for a presentation always keep in mind that the human brain has a typical concentration span of ten minutes unless the coach has does something to break monotony and stimulate the brain. Stimulation approaches can include changing the speed when delivering the message, pausing questions and showing slides. Human brain is most likely to recall the start and end of an incident. The main strength of using presentation as a learning tool is it involves audience even after the address. Further students are in a position to challenge question, explain the presenter. Limitations are time might be limited during the presentation period thus the instructor must be brief and concise with the content. Second disadvantage is that quality of discussion and questions is limited. The speed of presentation can be limited also it can be viewed as uninteresting if the presenter doesn’t break dullness. Presenter must remember that the brain recalls strange occurrences quite well, (Bill 2010) One on one tutorial is viewed by many learning consultants as the core of education. It is the exchange involving student and teacher and is highly individualized. Tutor connection that can grow motivates the learner study more. The main advantage is that one on one presentation offers a learner nowhere to hide, approving the students lack of interest or preparedness to learn beyond the classroom set up where academic duties inevitably separates within the populations. Student and teacher ought to believe in each others commitment. A teacher can set out rigorous rules that during each sessions while being aware of every students weakness and strengths. Skills acquired through tutorials are transferable whether deliberately or involuntarily, (Arun Alagappan 2005). It also offers a great opportunity for tutors to instill academic discipline. Weaknesses of tutorials as a learning method are tutor might sometimes indicate impartiality showing unequal interest towards a group. Equal opportunities are not offered in tutorial groups. There are some learners who control the group. Another weakness is there sometimes are feelings of distrust and suspicion. Moreover the timetable assigned for tutoring is impossible at each and every step. In some cases due to overcrowding tutors are unable to tend to each learner. Group discussions can be described as dialogue about a subject or theme between groups of people partakers assisted by a trainer. The trainer responsibility is to assist set the platform, helps the dialogue moving and get all participants involved. Strengths of group discussion as a learning method are they improve learning in cognitive and affective areas. Group discussions are topics are centered and learner focused as well. Discussions further encourage students to look at problems and issues. Learning process is further active and less separating. Lastly group discussions offer students a platform to share views and concerns. Shortfall of group discussions is; some learners can dominate the conversation. Second, it is easy for learners to deviate from the subject of discussion. Third shy students may hesitate to take part or might require a great deal of motivation. Group discussions are specifically challenging for he facilitator when student members do not relate easily. It also demands for tutors presence all the time and act as facilitator and resource individual. Discussions moreover require proficiency to sensitively readdress students who dominate or deviate without ruining their confidence. It is also time consuming for the broadcast of information compared to other methods of learning, (Triandis, Brislin & Hui 2003) Even though I performed better in my recent English papers, I tend to improve my grades even better. Guided by the learning methods above I plan to focus on my weaknesses. I will make certain that I become more attentive during lectures. I find it difficult concentrating during lecture due to distractions by other students. Grasping every teaching through listening is impossible therefore in order to remember issues taught in past lectures I intend to take notes and preserve a note pad. This way I will be able to put down the main ideas regarding the topic. I will also want to participate more during group discussions, this way I will able to grasp more of information as compared to lectures. Focus in group discussions is quite easier. However I plan pose questions during group discussions when uncertain about issues addressed. Further participation in group discussions will improve my confidence during class presentations. Time keeping is of essence and sometimes I am a sucker at it. Because I do not want to forget my tutoring schedules I plan to keep a reminder and a personal time table note book. This way I will be able to show total commitment in learning. Education is something I hold in high regard. I love study new things and share the knowledge I have gained with others. Leicester International Pathway College. Several factors I will highlight from my learning journey, being independent and zeal to pursue excellence. These themes match well with Business Foundation as my field of focus. Right from my early days in college learning beyond the schools curriculum has never been apart of me. However with the school applying almost all learning techniques I have grown to work indecently as well with other students. My main weakness interacting with others especially during teaching time. I found it very difficult coping in lectures from a few subjects. Choosing to focus on my favorite subjects. Private tuition and group discussions specifically At the onset of my learning process during semester I found it very difficult to concentrate during lectures. I would opt not to attend and pick notes from classmates read later. Lack of concentration was because some student population classes were hug. I grasped very little information of what the lecturer was discussing about. Sometimes I would choose to sit at the far end and wait for the sessions to end. In other instances some lectures were to fast I couldn’t understand especially complex English terms. Also small talk and use of phones by other students contributed to my lack of concentration. I developed a negative attitude towards some particular courses. As a result I never prepared much for tests or doing my assignments which affected my grades in the long run. However as the semesters progressed I was determined to pull up my socks. This I achieved by being more attentive during lectures, keeping time so that I would sit at the front row. I also bought a special notebook where I quickly write down words that I did not understand and looked them up later. At the end of the second semester my results were a little impressive. Having served as volunteer at a local church I found presentation quite interesting. Even though I was a bit timid during my first year of study my concentration during presentation was better. Because it allows for dialogue quite a number of students would raise their hands to pose questions. I never did that but I was able to benefit because the tutor would expound on topics that I do not comprehend. For some subject’s presenters would articulate issues well, speak moderately unlike during lectures? This way I was able to comprehend quite a lot and it eventually mirrored in my semester results. Having other students pose questions inspired to do the same. I developed the habit of rising my simultaneously amongst other hoping the presenter would single me out. With time I got more involved by engaging the presenter in issues I did not understand well, sometime even requesting the presenter to slow down. Although the presentations were somewhat interesting some were cut short because of time. This also encouraged reading further and picking up whenever the presenter had left. It was quite t easy in the next sessions because I was familiar with what the presenter was talking about. Since of my timid nature during first years I was very reluctant at joining or participating in any group discussion. Even though I found discussions more lively as different participants would give out their views I felt intimidated. This was because some students would take over the discussion and undermine the opinions of others; this drew me further into doing more of listening and less of talking. Nevertheless I was able to understand a lot of topical issue compared to lecturing and presentation which were time limiting. Some participants would choose not to attend some scheduled meetings consequently railing the group progress. However having a facilitator was beneficial as the students are given a warning that there grades would be divided by half, thereby encouraging full participation by everyone. Availability of a facilitator was ideal especially for me. I was able to seek encouragement after discussions. As the semester progressed by found it quite easy and comfortable participating. I would really perform well in topics that I deal with during presentations. Because constant reading and early preparations positioned my brain to recall a lot of questions. Of all four types of learning discussed above group discussions are my second favorite. I had difficulties during my first years of studies especially with technical English words. This overly affected my concentration in most learning sessions. This prompted me to take up private tutor lessons which became my favorite learning method. Tutoring became the foundation of my good grasp in English. Apart from that one on one learning saw my tutor motivate me and encourage me to actively take part in other learning processes. One on one Tutoring has enabled me to carry out follow ups especially on topics of weakness. While teachers and students use all styles in different occasions. Neither is their any accurate combination nor fixed ones. Learners might widen their knowledge is less principal methods. No matter what method of learning we apply, learners should always aspire to balance between the varieties as each method has its weaknesses and strengths. Bibliography. Bill Cerbin. (2010). Collaborative Learning Techniques Workshop. Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning, UW‐La Crosse. Arun Alagappan. (2005). One-on-One Tutoring: Bridging the Achievement GAP. Busiess Today, Vol 42, Issue 2. Triandis, H. C., Brislin, R., & Hui, C. H. (2003). Learning Styles: International Students Perspective. International Journal of Education, 12, 269–289. Read More