Sometimes standing on a soap box is so powerful. I have to wonder why I do not do it more often. Well maybe because while it is essential to share information with others, it is not as necessary for me to preach it. So I will step off this soap box and ask you to join me in a conversation about learning styles.
The greatest thing about being a human is that no two of us are alike. We are all unique, right down to our fingerprints. We have different physical features, different personalities, individual dreams and we truly do learn differently. Imagine what a dull world it would be if we were all the same.
I am an independent, introvert, global, auditory, cognitive, and abstract learner. That is just to name a few of the learning style labels I have been gifted with. While I do not like being labeled, I love knowing how I learn. I do not know about you, but I am paying for a college education and I want to walk away with more than a piece of paper. I want to walk away taking the knowledge that is given to me and do something with it.
There are so many learning style theories that grace the web. So many confusing web sites that state their learning theory is better than the others. So how do we as educators use the information on learning style theories? Do we try out all of the theories or do we pick just one and hope it works for our students? How is a teacher to know?
I believe that all theories have significance, but what we as educators can do is take bits of pieces that resonate with us and apply them to your own learning style theory. You can even name your theory and develop a web page for it, if you want. Learning theories are a base in which you can build your classrooms curriculum on that engages all the learners. Do not spend hours researching them all, take a few theories and build your teaching style from them.
What if you do not believe in learning theories? Is it because you feel that learning theories are labels that allow students to make excuses? Is it because you like to teach the way you do and feel that if the student is not learning, that is their problem?
Think back on a time in your life when you were struggling in a class to acquire the knowledge that you needed. Do you ever image that it could have been different if the teacher would have engaged you as a learner by complementing your learning style.
If only that teacher took some time to incorporate elements that engaged the visual, auditory and the tactile/ kinesthetic learners in the curriculum. Imagine what you could have done with that knowledge. Knowledge is power…power is knowing how you learn.
We all were born to learn. A learner needs to use whatever tools they have in their tool belt to get the most out of their learning experiences. Knowing how you learn is the most powerful tool you have.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Net generation and learning styles
If the main learning styles are not enough for the average learner to comprehend, there is a new one for the "Net Generation." I know that my children were raised on technology and I know for a fact that they learn differently than I do.
Do you think that learning styles are different for every generation?
Do you think that learning styles are different for every generation?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I believe in learning styles...
Welcome to Your Style or Mine?
I always knew that I learned better in the optimum environment with teachers that taught to me. Unfortunately, I spent many years struggling in classes with teachers that did not fit my learning style. While there are some people who do not believe in learning styles, I believe they are an fundamental part of every person.
There is nothing like the moment when a student’s light bulb turns on, and you know that what you are teaching just became a part of that student’s knowledge. I know that I did not go into education to teach the students who learn like I do. I went into education to bring my passion for learning to everyone.
As an educator, I want to touch the lives of many. To do this, I need to reach out and expand my teaching to include the many and not just the few who learn like me. I do not know about you, but I believe that I am here as an educator to help anyone who wants to expand their horizons. Even if at times, I have to step outside my comfort zone and try new things.
As a teacher, it is necessary to take the time to learn about your style. Once you gain knowledge of how you learn, you can reflect on your teaching style. You may find that you teach, just like you learn. Ask yourself, what it would feel like to be in a class where the teacher ignored your learning style? How would you feel? Would you be able to learn with ease or would you struggle to learn?
It is the teacher’s responsibility to engage the student’s minds in the learning process. When a teacher adds different elements to their teaching method, they engage the Visual, Auditory and tactile kinesthetic learners. When we step outside our comfort zone, we take risks and eventually become well rounded teachers. Remember to teach is to learn… for both the teacher and student!
I always knew that I learned better in the optimum environment with teachers that taught to me. Unfortunately, I spent many years struggling in classes with teachers that did not fit my learning style. While there are some people who do not believe in learning styles, I believe they are an fundamental part of every person.
There is nothing like the moment when a student’s light bulb turns on, and you know that what you are teaching just became a part of that student’s knowledge. I know that I did not go into education to teach the students who learn like I do. I went into education to bring my passion for learning to everyone.
As an educator, I want to touch the lives of many. To do this, I need to reach out and expand my teaching to include the many and not just the few who learn like me. I do not know about you, but I believe that I am here as an educator to help anyone who wants to expand their horizons. Even if at times, I have to step outside my comfort zone and try new things.
As a teacher, it is necessary to take the time to learn about your style. Once you gain knowledge of how you learn, you can reflect on your teaching style. You may find that you teach, just like you learn. Ask yourself, what it would feel like to be in a class where the teacher ignored your learning style? How would you feel? Would you be able to learn with ease or would you struggle to learn?
It is the teacher’s responsibility to engage the student’s minds in the learning process. When a teacher adds different elements to their teaching method, they engage the Visual, Auditory and tactile kinesthetic learners. When we step outside our comfort zone, we take risks and eventually become well rounded teachers. Remember to teach is to learn… for both the teacher and student!
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