We have all experienced times in our lives and found ourselves in a conversation with someone else and have become agitated at them as they just aren't able to grasp whatever point you are trying to make or situation you are trying to explain. It is easy to become annoyed or upset because what you are saying makes complete sense in your own head; it is hard to comprehend that other people can’t understand you when you feel that everything you have said is so clearly stated. In these situations, it is so important to take a step back, try to put yourself in their shoes, and try a different approach. To start, everyone has a different way of understanding and this can be reflected in the different learning styles: ● Visual (spatial) Learner ● Aural (auditory) Learner ● Verbal (linguistic) Learner ● Physical (kinesthetic) Learner ● Logical (mathematical) Learner ● Social (interpersonal) Learner ● Solitary (intrapersonal) Learner https://www.time4learning.com/learning-styles/ For the past four summers, I have worked as a swim coach with the ages of my swimmers ranging from 5-12. Some kids respond quickly to verbal instructions; quick and concise and they are eager and ready to start the drill. Originally, this was my only way of communicating as it works for me and was fast paced to get us through all the swimming we had planned to do for the day. However, as time went on I noticed the same kids making mistakes in drills, losing focus, asking me to repeat the instructions all over again, and staring at me with puzzled looks. I recognized that by just stating the same sentence I had said a minute before did not provide any clarification at all too. I then started changing up the way I worded my instructions, creating metaphors to help them grasp the way they should move their body, having myself motion out the movement while on deck, and (pre-covid) moving my swimmers bodies to replicate the swim I wanted to see. This made such a huge impact, my swimmers became more confident and proud in themselves once they understood. At first, it was easy to look at my lane and become frustrated with the swimmers not swimming correctly as “they must have not paid attention to me” or “they aren’t trying enough”. The kids not understanding was at the fault of my own and I am glad I have been able to learn and recognize how to reframe the way instructions can be given so that I can create a positive learning space. Now when I am coaching my swimmers and giving instructions, there are a few key points to how I deliver information: - Have I given clear verbal instructions? (must use simple words, speak in a loud well paced voice) - Have I given any form of demonstration? (myself on deck showing my swimmers the movement I want to see, asking a senior swimmer to do a demo in water, showing a video of the swim) - Have I checked in with my swimmers throughout my verbal instructions/demo? (asking for a “thumbs up” if we understand, asking them to repeat back key points that I mentioned I want to see throughout the swim) - Have I given them the opportunity to ask questions? (Sometimes things that seem implied to me, may not be to my swimmers and I want to make sure if they have any uncertainty in what they are supposed to do, they are given the time to ask for clarification) If you are placed in a situation where whoever you are addressing does not understand what
you are communicating, have patience and try to change the way you are delivering what you want to say. Remember that everyone understands and processes information differently. Devon M
12 Comments
Nyah Gentry
4/13/2021 09:54:47 pm
This is a great informative blog. I think you chose a great topic because as a mature “adult” when faced with conflict it’s important to understand the best way to get your point across and make sure you are understood respectfully. This is a helpful blog as I tutor a grade 6 student with learning disabilities in math. It’s often that I have to use alternate forms of education to get my point across so he understands.
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Abbey
4/14/2021 12:28:33 am
Hey Devon! I thought this was a great topic to cover in your blog. I can definitely relate to your swimmers not understanding what is being asked of them, as I have encountered similar situations with students. I am a tutor and have many students with different learning styles. I can relate to being frustrated with them when they don't understand what I'm trying to explain. I have to realize that even though it makes sense to me, it may not make sense to them. I thought the key points you use are a great tool to ensure everyone understands, and that the information is easy to process. Thanks for sharing!
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Lucy Greene
4/14/2021 12:40:03 pm
love this, thank you for spreading light on this topic. I think its super important for teachers and others to know that there is more than one way of learning and to help each student with theirs. I really admire your patience with your swimmers and recognizing that.
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Tyler Lenton
4/14/2021 12:48:56 pm
I really liked this blog because it's not something that people really talk about. I relate to how you had to change up how you were explaining. When I was helping my friends with homework they didn't understand I walked them through the steps but that didn't get them there. In order to help I had to break it down in a different way showing examples and helping them by doing repetition. Many people like myself don't learn super quick so I find that taking a step back and trying to see what they're thinking is something we should all do.
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Madison
4/14/2021 01:16:25 pm
This is a really great blog Devon! It's never easy to teach others and having patience with them is something that can be a challenge. I didn't know that there were so many different types of ways people learn best, I always thought that there were only four ways but your blog opened my eyes to much more. I tutor a person on the weekends and I can definitely relate with having to try to explain a concept many different ways and checking their understanding throughout. definitely the way you deliver information makes a huge impact and how they learn as well. Thank you for this really interesting and helpful blog.
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Cole
4/14/2021 01:17:24 pm
This is such a cool topic and really opens my eyes to the way our world is run. It makes total sense that not everyone understands things the same way, but we are all taught to teach like that. I think that this will be really useful for me in the future if I am teaching someone something that I can use different methods to make sure they are comprehending it confidently.
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Taylor
4/14/2021 02:11:44 pm
I really like the topic you wrote about. It was very informative and gave me some insight on other people's perspectives. I agree with you that everyone learns in different ways and at a different pace. I have dealt with situations similar to yours. I find it a coincidence that your blog is on this topic because on the flipside, my math class and I are struggling to learn concepts from our student teacher because of the way she teaches.
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Kaysey
4/17/2021 12:27:01 am
Hi Devon, I appreciate that as a coach you take time to consider the different types of learners out there and focus on ways to improve teaching methods. It always makes me sad when I hear of friends of people who lose interest in a passion because of a bad coach :/. This is a good topic because it can apply to everything in life and I think being aware of the different types of learners is essential for life.
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Kieran
9/16/2022 02:06:36 pm
I couldn't agree more with what you said, I've been coaching gymnastics ages 5-12 for around a year and it's a challenge to get your point across to all the kids in such a short amount of time. What you said about thinking about their perspective is a great solution because sometimes I do find myself getting annoyed with some of the kids when they don't understand what I try to get them to do. Switching your style of teaching is a great way to make sure everyone is on board with the assignment and not being afraid to really help them understand is very useful!
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Quinn
9/16/2022 02:29:14 pm
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Merle S.
9/28/2023 02:01:24 pm
I really like the topic you wrote about. It often happens to me that I want to explain something to people or try to teach them something and they don't understand it. At this moment I often quickly get angry and can't understand why the other person doesn't understand what I mean or often asks me if I can explain it again. Of course I know that there's actually no reason to get angry because the person in front of me can't see into my head or doesn't know my exact ideas. I think your solution by simply trying metaphors or other formulations is great and I think I'll give it a try.
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Taylor
9/28/2023 02:07:01 pm
I totally agree with this blog! As a coach I definitely understand that some kids understand things differently and take more time than others to learn certain skills. I'm glad you shared your thoughts on this to help people have a better understanding of taking the time to teach more instead of getting frustrated with the kid.
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