Week 1 – Learning Styles

Learning Styles: Every individual is different and has their own learning style, one ongoing battle for teachers is that as a teacher we must try to cater for the diversity in the classroom which can be very challenging. It is important to determine the learner’s learning style, a style that enables us to understand how a learner best learns and for the learner to learn best. There are three main learning styles:

·         Visual Learner’s – Learn through seeing.

·         Auditory Learner’s – Learn through listening.

·         Kinaesthetic Learner’s – Learn through moving, doing and touching.

After completing the quiz below and reading the definitions of learning styles, I believe I am an Auditory Learner. I learn best through listening, verbal discussions and lectures. In saying this I find studying flexible delivery very challenging as most of the content is online and needs to be read at your own pace, but the video tutorials available on some topics are an excellent tool for an Auditory learner like myself as I am able to listen and see the person delivering the content which enables me to learn the content better. I also feel I have some traits of a Visual Learner, being able to see the teacher, sitting in a classroom and taking notes enables me to learn best.

Question – In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson? (Please feel free to express you own answers, comments or opinions.)

As I stated earlier each student has a different learning style, to best cater for the different styles throughout the classroom as a teacher you need to be planful, design and conduct learning experiences to cater for all needs. This can be achieved through using different types of ICT’s such as a Blog, Blackboard’s, Interactive Whiteboard’s, Microsoft PowerPoint/Office and Computer’s. As well as giving hard copies of the content to each student and giving a verbal lesson explaining/discussing the subject. By using different approaches and planning the teacher may be able to cater for the different learners, visual, auditory and kinaesthetic.

Which type of learner are you?

For more information about Learning Styles visit http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm

Also available on the above website is an online questionnaire (follow the link) to determine your learning style although on this website you need to pay to see the results but the questions give a good direction of which learning style you may be. Below I have attached the questions from the quiz for you to try yourself.

Learning Styles Self-assessment

1 - Not Like Me

2 - A Little Like Me

3 - Like Me

4 - A Lot Like Me

Top of Form

1.	1234	I feel the best way to remember something is to picture it in my head
2.	1234	I follow oral directions better than written ones
3.	1234	I often would rather listen to a lecture than read the material in a textbook
4.	1234	I am constantly fidgeting (e.g. tapping pen, playing with keys in my pocket)
5.	1234	I frequently require explanations of diagrams, graphs, or maps
6.	1234	I work skilfully with my hands to make or repair things
7.	1234	I often prefer to listen to the radio than read a newspaper
8.	1234	I typically prefer information to be presented visually, (e.g. flipcharts or chalkboard)
9.	1234	I usually prefer to stand while working
10.	1234	I typically follow written instructions better than oral ones
11.	1234	I am skilful at designing graphs, charts, and other visual displays
12.	1234	I generally talk at a fast pace and use my hands more than the average person to communicate what I want to say
13.	1234	I frequently sing, hum or whistle to myself
14.	1234	I am excellent at finding my way around even in unfamiliar surroundings
15.	1234	I am good at putting jigsaw puzzles together
16.	1234	I am always on the move
17.	1234	I excel at visual arts
18.	1234	I excel at sports
19.	1234	I'm an avid collector
20.	1234	I tend to take notes during verbal discussions/lectures to review later
21.	1234	I am verbally articulate and enjoy participating in discusions or classroom debates
22.	1234	I easily understand and follow directions on maps
23.	1234	I remember best by writing things down several times or drawing pictures and diagrams
24.	1234	I need to watch a speaker's facial expressions and body language to fully understand what they mean
25.	1234	I frequently use musical jingles to learn things
26.	1234	I often talk to myself when alone
27.	1234	I would rather listen to music than view a piece of art work
28.	1234	I need to actively participate in an activity to learn how to do it
29.	1234	I frequently tell jokes, stories and make verbal analogies to demonstrate a point
30.	1234	I frequently touch others as a show of friendship and camaraderie (e.g. hugging) Reference   Ldpride. (2010). Learning styles explained. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from     http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm Ldpride. (2010). Multiple Intelligence. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from     http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm Wikipedia.(2010). Learning theories. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_theory_(education) Central Queensland University (CQU). (2010). FAHE11001 – Learning styles: Study Guide. Rockhampton. QLD, Australia: Author.