By: Mrs. Mary Ann Clark

Planning Communication

forInstruction

So you have secured a teaching job and now it’s time to get to work. There are many things to consider when starting to prepare daily lessonsfor your classes. Here are a few learning strategies for communication toconsider on a daily basis.

1. As a teacher what can you do to effectively communicate with your students?

2. How can you effectively deliver the objectives to receive desirable outcomes from each lesson delivered?

3. What is the makeup of your classroom students and each student’s learning style?

4. What kind of environment makes up your classroom? How is your class arranged? Is it conducive to learning? To all learning styles and communication?

First Steps…

How can you effectively communicate information with your students?

Lecture vs. Hands On ApproachStudents enjoy being part of the activities and feeling as if they haveMade decisions as to what to explore and finding the answers.

Classroom DiscussionsStudents and Teachers discuss topics that have been researched. Students are guided through a structured diverse discussion using Factual information.Each student is given time such as a platform to speak in regards to the topic.Students are given ample time to prepare and research before theDiscussion to gather the facts.

Verbal vs. Non verbal CommunicationVerbal communication is the act of speaking in front of your class and the Pitch, tone, volume of what you speak that matters. Nonverbal communication is that of how you carry yourself in front of Your class.

What are you teaching and how are you going to accomplish that?

• Scope and Sequence of the Curriculum that you are teaching

• What topic are you going to be teaching about?

• Think about the ends before the means

• What is it that you want your students to know or understand by the end of the lesson or unit?

• How are you going to deliver or communicate this information to students?

• Lecture vs. Hands on approach

• Is technology available to help enhance your lesson?

What is the Makeup of your Students?All students learn in different ways and they prefer one style over another.There are 7 different learning styles of students:Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

Retrieved from http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/

How do your Students Cognitively think?The way students process information is how they cognitively thinkabout information.

Field Independence Vs. Field Dependence• Field Independence Learners can separate details from context. • Field Independence Learners can carry out activities on their own.• Field Dependent Learners work well in teams and tend to be better at interpersonal relationships.• Field Dependent Learners work better with teacher and student interaction.

Field Dependent LearnerExperiences in a global fashion, adheres to structuresLearns material with social content bestAttends best to material relevant to own experienceRequires externally defined goals and reinforcementsNeeds organization providedMore affected by criticismUses observational approach for concept attainment [learns best by using examples]

Field Dependent Teaching StylesPrefers teaching situations that allow interaction and discussion with studentsUses questions to check on student learning following instructionUses student-centered activitiesViewed by students as teaching factsProvides less feedback, positive feedbackStrong in establishing a warm and personal learning environment

Field Independent LearnersPerceives analyticallyMakes specific concept distinctions; little overlapImpersonal orientationMay need explicit training in social skillsInterested in new concepts for their own sakeHas self-defined goals and reinforcementCan self-structure situationsLess affected by criticismUses hypothesis-testing approach to attain concepts

Field Independent Teaching StylesPrefers engaging students by establishing routines in order to work through ideasUses questions to introduce topics and probe student answersUses teacher-organized learning situationsViewed by students as encouraging to apply principlesGives corrective feedback using error analysisStrong in organizing and guiding student learning

Retrieved from https://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/styles.html

What Else?????

Think about some other classroom dynamix such as:• Background of students such as cultural and economic• Demographics of Community• Emotional State of Students• IEP’s• 504 Plans• Basic Skills and Remedial Plans

Classroom Environment How are the desks and chairs situated? How many students are in your classroom or classes? Can you move the desk around? Is there an open area where students can meet for discussions? How do students behave in your classroom? Do you have a reward system? What is the learning environment like in your classroom?