Teaching and Learning style cohesion essential

 
Transitioning from high school to college, not all students are capable of learning or understanding completely due to the various learning styles that higher education provides.
There are many learning styles in teaching and it is important that each student knows the type of learner they are in order to succeed in their academics.
According to a presentation given by Lindsey Wiltz, mentoring seminar instructor and counselor in the Center for Student Success, there are three main learning styles, which are visual, auditory and tactile or kinesthetic.
Wiltz said she uses Microsoft PowerPoint presentations for her seminar classes.  Each of her students learn the three main types of learning styles and then take a survey of what type of learner they are considered to be.  When the students are done with the survey, they tally up the information, which classifies them as a type of learner.
According to the presentation by Wiltz, 60-65 percent of the population is visual learners, 30 percent are auditory learners and 5-10 percent is tactile learners.
“If a student is a visual learner, students are encouraged to sit in front of the class so that student would not be disturbed,” said Wiltz.
After students are done with their tallied information, based on the information that classifies them as a specific learner, she gives each student pointers on how they can learn easier.
It is important that students know learning styles due to the fact that they can develop strategies, which use the stronger styles and help strengthen the weaker ones.
For instance, if a learner does not comprehend spoken instruction well but knows he easily understands those that are written, he can ask the teacher to write them on the board.
Helping students identify their learning styles gives them tools that can be used in many subjects in school and beyond school.
According to Wiltz each student is not tied to one type of learning style.
Wiltz said that the seminars that are offered are for all students to attend.
Florence Wellons, assistant professor of English and coordinator of communication skills laboratory, says she gives students handouts, uses different teaching styles, has detailed class outline.
“Whether they have a different style of learning, I try to reach all my students,” said Wellons.
According to Wellons students with learning differences need more ​time to spend on a task.  That is why she says she gives detailed class handouts.
Wellons also said with all the things she offers, she still tries to communicate with her students so there is a better understanding of the lesson and she tries to make herself approachable to come and talk during her office hours.
In the department of mathematics, Katrina Cunningham, chair of mathematics said the way their department accommodates to students with different learning approaches is by providing office hours, refer students to Center for Student Success, use online learning systems and by tutoring students.
“There’s a lot of opportunities but I don’t know if the students take advantage of them,” said Cunningham.
According to Phaedra Wells, adjunct professor in the mathematics department, if students give proper documentation, she allows them more time on tests, allow them to meet in her office to ask questions and allow other students to explain the information to them if necessary.
In the department of biology, according to Pushpa Samkutty, chair of Biology, students with learning differences are allowed extra time to test with the Office of Disability in room 246 in Augustus C. Blanks hall.
According to Samkutty, Patricia Herbert, director of the Office of Disability, works with every department at this university to help students with learning differences.