A few weeks ago I started my flight instructor training. A good instructor can identify the learning differences between each of their students and tailor the training to each student. Flight instructing is so much more than just knowing the regulations and how to fly an airplane. A flight instructor needs to also be able to pass information down to their students so that they understand complex topics.
Initially, I thought flight instructor training was going to consist strictly of studying the ins and outs of all the regulations. As I started my training, I was surprised by how much of the information I had no prior knowledge on. A good chunk of my training so far has been learning how to teach.
Teaching begins with understanding the student. Flight instructors need to identify how their students learn. Are they visual or verbal learners? Are they left or right-brained? Are they reflective or impulsive? It is also important to understand how information is learned. A student may understand a topic, but an instructor has to take that a step further so that the student can apply that information.
Each student is unique and cannot be taught the same way. It is up to the flight instructor to alter their lessons based on each students' needs. An instructor can teach a visual learner by drawing out specific topics on a white board. That instructor could teach the same lesson by explaining it through words for a verbal learner. Differentiating the personality and learning difference between students is crucial in ensuring their success in flight training.