modate the student's preferred learning style
How quickly and well a student learns depends not only on his or her
intelligence and prior education, but also on the student's learning
style preference. Visual learners gain knowledge best by
seeing or reading what you are trying to teach;
auditory learners, by listening;and tactile or
psychomotor learners, by doing.
You can improve your chances for teaching success if you assess your
patient's preferred learning style, then plan teaching activities and use
teaching tools appropriate to that style. To assess a student's learning
style, observe the student, administer a learning style
inventory, or simply ask the student how he or she learns best.
You can also experiment with different teaching tools, such as printed
material, illustrations, videotapes, and actual equipment, to assess
learning style. Never assume, though, that your student can read
well -- or even read at all.
Sue Rappazzo on 29 Jun 10"The challenge for instructors teaching online courses is to learn to use humor to create interesting and inviting virtual learning environments while minimizing any potential pitfalls of humor as an instructional device. In a commentary noting the need for humor in online courses, James (2004) observed that "Because humor is one of the major traits of the best, most effective teachers, it is a characteristic that all teachers should want to hone, practice, and nurture, regardless of medium" "
