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FAQ About Learning Styles

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FAQ about Learning Styles in the Bible Classroom
Teaching in ways that fit the various learning styles increases the potential for all students to learn. Bible teachers have their own preferred style that differs from many of their students which must also be taken into consideration.

Questions Bible Teachers May Have About Learning Styles

How do I learn to teach in a way that makes me step out of my own learning style?

It begins with awareness. Identify what your own learning style is and also that of your students. Check out the My Style – Their Style Worksheet for help. And, it might take an attitude adjustment. We must realize that our teaching isn’t just about us and what we get out of it. Then, it takes incremental adaptability. Start in small ways to step outside of your comfort zone. Continue taking steps to gradually increase adapting to your students’ styles.

How can I teach for different learning styles in a digital classroom?

Teaching online does present some challenges for tapping into all the learning styles but isn’t impossible. In many ways, it is similar to teaching in-person but the logistics of doing it must be thought through so as not to waste time collecting materials and in order to minimize confusion so it doesn’t become chaotic and distracting.

  • For the auditory learners, give verbal input like a lecture. Even more than in a normal classroom setting, you must keep lectures very short so you don’t lose the attention of other learners. Students can become even more distracted in an online setting with their at-home surroundings. Also think through where you might be able to incorporate music, perhaps a song, or part of a song, that relates to the lesson. You might even be able add appropriate sound effects to the telling of a Bible story.
  • For the kinesthetic learners (hands-on, doing), have a project planned. Inform them in advance of needed supplies so everyone is prepared and time isn’t wasted. Or, provide instructions for them to do something after the lesson. You may want to follow-up with that by having them post pictures of the completed project on social media or some other platform. You can also ask them to act out parts of the lesson right there where they are whether that be hand movements, facial expressions, or perhaps even more involved actions that can be done in place in front of the camera.
  • For visual learners, master how to share your screen with pictures, charts, maps, etc. to use them similarly to in-person teaching. You could, if appropriate, have students draw something that relates to the lesson and take turns holding it up in front of their cameras.
  • For social, interpersonal learners who need to interact, incorporate opportunity to talk and to engage in discussion. But, be sure to establish a process that allows for maximum participation yet minimizes confusion or frustration that comes from more than one person trying to talk at a time which tends to be even more exasperating online than in person. You might sometimes use break-out groups to reduce the group size to allow for increased interaction.
  • For those who learn best through reading/writing, provide something to those students in advance that is brief for them to read to the rest of the group at the appropriate time. Perhaps you can provide brief writing activities that can then be read or perhaps posted to be read later. You might consider providing links to articles that relate to the lesson as follow-up.

For More Help Go To: Learning Styles Resources

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