My learning styles

So what does the information say about me....well a little more than I would like.  I feel the information is fairly accurate.

Firstly, I am more of a reflective learner than an active learner.  This means I like to think through what I am doing first, rather than just jumping in.  It also suggests that I prefer to work alone rather than in groups, which is accurate.

Secondly, I am in the middle of the spectrum for sensing and intuitive learners.  This means that I like learning facts as much as discovering possibilities and relationships.  I tend to like problem solving using established methods as well as using innovation.  It also suggests that I am good at remembering facts and working with my hands as well as grasping new concepts.

Thirdly, I show preference as a verbal learner when compared with visual learner traits.  This suggests I will acquire more information when it is presented through written and spoken explanations when compared with diagrams and pictures. 

Finally, I am more likely to be a sequential learner rather than a global learner.  I show preference to gain information and understanding through linear steps which each follow logically from one to another, rather than acquiring information randomly and finally having it suddenly make sense.

I would benefit having my learning presented in lecture styles and with printed resources. I would best extend my knowledge and learning by researching further resources in a quiet place on my own.  I would benefit from taking notes and putting things into my own words.

In a classroom with numerous learners, I would need to be sensitive to the individual needs of each student and have some knowledge of each students preferred learning styles.  Planning of lessons should include resources which can be seen, heard, copied and where possible tactile representations.  Group work and individual working stations could provide benefits as well as areas of seclusion for those who are easily distracted when the information is of great importance.

Digital pedagogy has the capacity to allow information to be presented in ways that assist multiple learning styles at the same time.  Including visual representation of information which needs hands on completion from students through interactive whiteboard sessions, to power point presentations which can be colourful and can have voice over information included.  The ability to immediately access further information to gain greater understanding of subject matter or content is at the click of a button with access to the www.  There is also the use of Skye to allow closer connections to peers around the world and numerous computer software programs to support educational learning opportunities.

In order to understand your students learning styles, you must first assess the students.  This can be done through observation, questioning parents and other colleagues as well as asking them to participate in a learning style quiz. 

There are numerous online quiz's which cater for all age groups such as, for younger children

http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/backtoschool/quiz_learnstyles

 and for older children http://www.pesdirect.com/learning-styles.html

While all of this information is very interesting, I still feel you need to have a good understanding of the personality of the students, an understanding of their background and teach using a holistic approach.  All the preparation in the world will not help if the child has not had breakfast and is hungry, or has been the victim of bullying just before class.  While we can not control all of the variables, knowing the individuals learning styles will make the teaching and learning opportunities more valuable and hopefully allow each individual to access the curriculum.