TeachPitch asks, @bnleez thank you for tweeting! We’d love to hear your take on how we best map & match the #learning needs of #teachers. Do let us know:)
Let’s assume a formal educational context where course objectives are stipulated beforehand, based on curricular goals. Create a learning map (e.g., Google sheet) that is shared by all students. In it, course objectives and any other expectations the teach has can be included. Then, set up column titles that students can fill out (one row per student): student name, interests, needs, goals, strengths, weaknesses, individuals or public websites students feel comfortable with for getting additional help, any social media contact information, etc. Depending on the maturity level of the students, this information might be a public document or private, and teachers may wish to obtain this same information by having students respond individually. But there should also be a way for students to periodically check in with the teacher about how the class is going: particular things students like, dislike, find easy, find difficult, and suggestions as to what students need or how they prefer to engage. This allows the teacher to “check the pulse” of the class throughout so that changes to teaching practice and/or learner tactics can be made more promptly.
This is one way to map and match learning needs with the expectations of the teacher.