Learning styles and teaching styles; sometimes they match, sometimes . . .

Thursday, September 14, 2006

By Jim Van Wingerden

I recently exchanged e-mails with the parent of a first-year student.  The student was adjusting well to college and to academics but was frustrated with the teaching style of a particular professor.  The parent reported that the student talked to the prof about his frustration but received the message that the teaching style would essentially remain the same.

The parent was seeking advise as to how to handle this situation with the student--is there another course of action when a student feels he is not making progress with a professor.  Let me share my response:

“It’s hard to know how to advise your son on this issue.  There is a wide range of teaching and learning styles employed by college professors (and college students), and students have to quickly learn how to adapt to individual teaching styles in almost all of their classes.  Often the professors will put their powerpoint presentation online for students to access through KnightVision--this may be something your student is not aware of.

I admire your student for going to his prof with the concern so early in the semester--it’s a great sign that he is learning how to navigate the academic waters of Calvin College on his own initiative.  If this situation continues to be a problem he could have a conversation with the dept. chair. I might recommend that he check in first with the SAS office (Student Academic Services) to get their advise on the situation.

I hope this helps.  In the transition from high school to college sometimes it’s hard for parents to not take an active role when your student encounters a challenge.  Sounds like you are handling this well--listen, seek advise, and allow your student to navigate these new waters of college academia.

Thanks for asking!  Jim”

Parents will inevitably have conversations with their college student about encountering a “challenge” with a professor.  Whether that challenge is about grades, assignments, teaching styles, or whatever, encourage your student to take the lead and talk with the professor about the challenge.  Most professors are more than happy to meet with students and resolve whatever the perceived challenge is.  Help students recognize that each professor has her or his own teaching style--students are wise to learn this early and adapt to that style for the particular course.  Student Academic Services is always a good resource in helping students to navigate the waters of academia at Calvin.  They can find them on the fourth floor of Hiemenga Hall.  http://www.calvin.edu/academic/sas/

  1. As the parents of a sophomore, the third of our children to attend Calvin, I find that each freshman has to learn this lesson for themselves.  They are warned by parents and older sibs and still they think they can do the same amount of work in college that they did in high school.  I am going to pass on your suggestion regarding some profs posting their power points on Knight Vision--it might help our daughter to know this.  Thanks for the blog---I think it is a great idea!

    Posted by Ellen J  on  09/25  at  11:02 AM

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