TRANSITIONS WEEK# 1 Learning Styles and Personalities…Where are you?

The Purpose To learn about learning styles. To understand the differences between auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners To identify your own learning style To have an understanding of different personalities To identify your personality and the strengths and weaknesses of your personality To identify career choices that correlate well with your personality

What are learning styles and which style do I have ? A learning style is the ability to learn, dependent on our senses, in order to process the information around us. Most people tend to use one of their senses more than the others. Three types of learning styles:  Auditory-Hearing-Auditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read about them. Reciting information out loud and having music in the background may be a common study method. Other noises may become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place.  Visual-See-Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading. For them, it's easy to look at charts and graphs, but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation.  Tactile/kinesthetic-Touch-Kinesthetic learners process information best through a "hands-on" experience. Actually doing an activity can be the easiest way for them to learn. Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand.

What type of learning style best fits you? BREAK TIME! Go to a computer and go to my FusionPage. Use the link titled Learning Style Assessment. Take the assessment and record your results. Total up the number of a’s, b’s, and c’s The results are in…

If you have mainly “a” responses…. You are a VISUAL learner!  take numerous detailed notes  tend to sit in the front  are usually neat and clean  often close their eyes to visualize or remember something  find something to watch if they are bored  like to see what they are learning  benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color  are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery  prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction  find passive surroundings ideal

If you have mainly “b” responses… You are an AUDITORY learner!  sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front  may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why  hum or talk to themselves or others when bored  acquire knowledge by reading aloud  remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).

If you have mainly “c” responses… You are a TACTILE/KINISTETIC learner!  need to be active and take frequent breaks  speak with their hands and with gestures  remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen  find reasons to tinker or move when bored  rely on what they can directly experience or perform  activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn  enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials  sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around  are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience  communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back

WHY ARE YOU SO LOUD?!? WHY WON’T YOU TALK!?!?! INTROVERTS vs. EXTROVERTS

Personality Types…what are they? Extroversion - "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self” Introversion - "the state of or tendency toward being wholly or predominantly concerned with and interested in one's own mental life"

Introverts Extroverts Avoid crowds and seek quiet. Listen more than talk. Keep enthusiasm to self. Concentrate well. Proceed cautiously in meeting people Think carefully before speaking Time alone recharges batteries. Would prefer to socialize in small groups or just do job "by myself." Content being on the sidelines. Concentrate well. Tolerate noise and crowds. Communicate with enthusiasm. Talk more than listen. Be distracted easily. Meet people readily and participate in many activities. Blurt things out without thinking. Hates to do nothing. On the go. Likes working or talking in groups. Likes to be center of attention. Be distracted easily. Let’s take a closer look

QUIZ TIME!!!-Answer each question T or F 1. I prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities. 2. I often prefer to express myself in writing. 3. I enjoy solitude. 4. I seem to care about wealth, fame, and status less than my peers. 5. I dislike small talk, but I enjoy talking in-depth about topics that matter to me. 6. People tell me that I'm a good listener. 7. I'm not a big risk-taker. 8. I enjoy work that allows me to "dive in" with few interruptions. 9. I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale, with only one or two close friends or family members. 10. People describe me as "soft-spoken" or "mellow.“ 11. I prefer not to show or discuss my work with others until it's finished. 12. I dislike conflict. 13. I do my best work on my own. 14. I tend to think before I speak. 15. I feel drained after being out and about, even if I've enjoyed myself. 16. I often let calls go through to voice- mail. 17. If I had to choose, I'd prefer a weekend with absolutely nothing to do to one with too many things scheduled. 18. I don't enjoy multi-tasking. 19. I can concentrate easily. 20. In classroom situations, I prefer lectures to seminars

IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY TRUE IF YOU ANSWERED MOSTLY FALSE You are more INTROVERTED and like to keep to yourself and/or think then act. You are more EXTROVERTED and like to be part of groups and tend to be loud…you like to act THEN think. AND THE RESULTS!!!!

Why does all of this matter? Your learning style and personality type have a big impact on the way you learn best in school. It helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. It allows for different ways to solve the same problem! It is important to understand HOW you learn and WHY it is most beneficial for you! It allows for you to gravitate toward your strengths and seek additional help in your weaknesses.

Putting it all together! Homework:  You are a new student at Bath High School. Mr. Dodson has enrolled you in Biology. Mrs. Wojcik, the Biology teacher, is a creative instructor and allows for many different ways in which you can show what you have learned. You just finished a lesson on plant cells. Explain to me, based on your results, the best assessment to allow for you to demonstrate your understanding of plant cells. Make sure you address your personality type and learning style.  This should be a MINIMUM of 3 paragraphs, one explaining the assessment you would like to use, one explaining HOW the chosen assessment benefits your LEARNING STYLE, and one explaining HOW the chosen assessment benefits your PERSONALITY TYPE.