Learning Styles Trish Morgan

What is a learning Style? A learning style is the way a person most easily learns and processes new information or skills. A preschooler does not have a learning style yet and a five-year-old might change his learning style by the time he is ten. Up on your toes you go! (http://homeschoolways.com/learning-styles/)

Things to keep in mind: 1. Observe patterns of behavior 2. Listen to the way a person communicates 3. Experiment with what works and what doesn’t 4. Focus on natural strengths NOT weaknesses Learn more about learning styles Your preferred teaching style

What style are You? Gregoric Modle Mind styles

How do we remember? Barbe-Swassing

Auditory learns best by listening to verbal instructions and remembers by forming the sounds of words Does not neccisarily mean you only need to hear something but does mean you need to hear it for yourself and say it to commit it to memory May read alound, talk to yourself, or repeat instructions Putting information to song, rap, rhythm can help them memorize things. Listening to how a word sounds may be important part of learning what it means.

Visual learns best by seeing and watching and using Strong visual associations Picture in your mind what you are learning Daydream or get lost in thought Learns best by associating pictures with words or concepts being used Using visual aides, bright colored folders, flash cards

Kinesthetic Learns best by becoming physically involved and actually doing something with what’s being learned Constant motion “fidgety” or “wiggle worm” Need some sort of action or the learning won’t stick

How do we understand? Witkin model

Global or analytical Global sees the Big Picture Analytical sees the parts

Analytical Strengths details Focus Organization Remembering specifics Direct answers Consistency Sense of justice Objectivity Indiviclual competition Doing one thing at a time

Global Strengths Seeing the big picture Seeing relationships Cooperating in group efforts Reading between the lines Seeing many options Paraphrasing Doing several things at once Giving and relieving praise Reading body language Getting others involved

How many ways can we be smart? Multiple intelligences~ Howard Gardner

Verbal/Linguistics Demonstrate Strength in the language arts: Speaking, writing, reading, listening How can I use the spoken or written words? Lectures, discussions Word games Writing Stories Reading Journaling

Logical-Mathematical Display aptitude for numbers reasoning and problem solving How can I bring numbers, calculations, logic, classifications, or critical thinking? Number games Science experiments Brain teasers Searching for patterns

Visual/ Spatial Learn best visually and organize things How can I use visual aids, visualization, color, art or visual organizers? Visual aids Art activities Imagination games Charts, graphs, maps Costumes

Bodily/Kinesthetic Experience learning best through activities How can I involve the whole body, or provide a hands on experience? Drama Dance Sports Games Scavenger hunts Tactile activities

Musical Learn well through songs and rhythms How can I bring in music or environmental sounds, or set key points in a rhythm or melody? Using songs that teach Rhythmic learning

Interpersonal Social butterfly of the room and love to be around people How can I engage students in peer or cross-age sharing, cooperative learning or large-group simulation? Cooperative learning Working in pairs

Intrapersonal Self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values and beliefs How can I evoke personal eelings or memories, or give students choices? Journaling Writing Independent study

Naturalist Love the outdoors Activities can include Nature study Care of animals Observing natural surrounding

Existential Why are we here? What is our role in the world

Things to remember Each person is a complex and unique combination of natural streangths and preferences There is no one best style to be Can be helpful to learn from someone who doesn’t teach your style

Resources “The way they learn” by Cynthia Tobias http://cynthiatobias.com/ “Multiple Intellegences in the Clessroom” Thomas Armstrong “Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century” by Howard Gardner https://mrmarksclassroom.com/wp- content/blogs.dir/10/files/2016/02/Multiple-Intelligence- Inventory.pdf