Learning Preferences Janis Braue

Learning style is the way in which each learner begins to concentrate on, process, and retain new and different information. Dunn & Dunn, 1999

Children differ in their capacity to learn and in the way they learn.

Learning Style Inventories Help to Identify: What triggers students’ concentration What maintains that concentration Ways to respond to students’ learning style in order to produce long-term memory and retention

Learning Style Variables Environmental (sound, light, temperature, seating design) Sociological (learning alone or with someone) Physiological (sense preference, food or liquid intake, mobility needs) Cognitive ( processing processes)

Benefits Identify how a student learns best Suggestions for classroom design based on students’ need for sound, quiet, bright or soft light, temperature, or seating preferences Strategies for studying Student success

Sensory Preferences Visual – sight (student sometimes ignores oral directions) Auditory – hear (student needs to hear information) Kinesthetic – use of whole body (dramatization, pantomime, field trip & interviewing) Tactile – manipulating (writing is not tactile enough for students below 4th grade)

Barsch Learning Style Inventory Effective Study Tips

Research reports that students in grades 3-8 learn better working in small groups than individually or with the teacher.

NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) provided a study that indicated that many students need to eat and/or drink while concentrating.

Classroom Myths Physical activity prevents learning. Children are most alert in the morning. Classrooms should be well lit, slightly cool, generally quiet places where noises and movements are sharply curtailed.

What should we as educators do with learning style information?

What Teachers Should Do Provide all types of strategies, activities and experiences for our students. Organize classroom to provide different types of sound, lighting and seating arrangements. Provide pillows on the floor and low background music. Teach students about their learning styles. Think Variety!

Multiple Intelligences

Dr. Howard Gardner IQ testing is too limited. We focus too much on linguistic and mathematical intelligence. Eight different intelligences were identified to account for a broader range of potential in adults and children.

Eight Intelligences Linguistic – “word smart” Logical-mathematical – “number/reasoning smart” Spatial intelligence – “picture smart” Bodily-kinesthetic – “body smart” Musical – “music smart” Interpersonal – “people smart” Intrapersonal – “self-smart” Naturalist – “nature smart”

Teachers Can Present Lessons Using Music Cooperative Learning Art Activities Role Playing Multimedia Field Trips Inner Reflection

Multiple Intelligence Activity