WHAT'S YOUR LEARNING STYLE?
As a student, I was able to adapt to different teaching strategies because of my drive to be successful. I was a visual learner who wanted to see the teachers body language, view pictures in books, and watch movies over the content that the teacher was presenting. Even with information that I found boring, I paid attention and got an understanding of it through pictures and videos. When the teacher would lecture to us, I would find myself sketching images of the topic. For example, if the lesson was over Christopher Columbus, I would draw ships and pictures of what I thought he looked like. When a teacher would play a recording, I found it difficult for me to follow along. I was too busy trying to listen and understand the tone of voice that the recorder was speaking in. In college, when I was in courses that didn't relate to my major, I would find it hard to sit still and would become distracted throughout the class. If I was able to move around and actively participate, I would ask more questions about the lesson. I wanted to explore information, not just sit there for hours receiving information. Throughout college, it was difficult for me to stay focused and digest the material because 95% of class time was listening to the professor speak. I adjusted to the way information was given to me and was able to process it clearly because I had self-disclipline. During elementary and high school ages, I learned best at doing activities , which we did 75% of class. 
Even today teachers in elementary and high school are trying to actively involve students as much as possible. Our focus now should be how to get students to respond to information that they do not find interesting and respect the work and ideas of others. Students today have no sense of collaboration. Having students work together is a struggle because they do not understand that people learn in different ways other than their own. Instead of finding a way to incorporate a skill that each group member may have, one student will decide to do the entire project because they feel they are smarter. In actuality they probably are, but the student that they believe can't contribute to the project, may be able to build something that can enhance the overall project. We have to put the learning in the hands of the student and not so much with the teacher. Students need to have an active role in their learning by doing, reteaching, and researching information.
In my class, I try to give only enough information so they can start an assignment.I have tried lecturing to students, but all I receive back is a blank stare from their eyes. Indicating that they are not listening or they are not understanding what I am covering. I recently demonstrated a lesson on my computer and projected it to the screen on the wall. Students could actually see it, but until they had the opportunity to do it, is when learning was taken place. During my demonstration, there were no questions because the felt they understand how to perform the task. Five minutes later, hands are raised and questions are being asked because they are individually involved.
I encourage my students to teach each other and rely on one anothers knowledge instead of running to me, the teacher, for answers. My students tend to remember and learn material better that way instead of me giving them everything. In my class I like to hand out spoons, which the kids love. On the other hand, they don't want to be the one receiving a spoon. The spoon refers to "spoon feeding" them the information like a baby. Tend to works.
