Learning Styles & the QI Navigator

Objective: Participants will be able to apply theories of intelligences and learning styles to their work in the early childhood field.

Multiple Intelligences It is “how” we are smart

Famous Intelligent People Charles Darwin Pablo Picasso Usain Bolt Elvis Presley Mahatma Gandhi Shakespeare Robin Williams

Intelligence defined… Diversity of abilities We possess all 8 intelligences Intelligence developed throughout life Not numerically quantifiable Performance-based Exhibited in many ways Measured in context/real-life situations

Nineteen people need to cross a river Nineteen people need to cross a river. Only 3 people can fit in the canoe at one time. One of the three must be an adult. Only one person is an adult. How many trips across the river will be needed to get all of the children to the other side of the river?

Learning Styles 4 learning styles We all possess these learning styles We all have a dominant and less dominant learning styles

Sensing Duke Electra Thinking Feeling Buddy Celestine Intuition

Duke Duke learns by: Follows directions Wants defined expectations Prefers to work alone Practices Tangible results Duke learns by: Drill & practice Demonstration Hands-on experience Practice

Likes: Dislikes Immediate, practical use Acknowledgement for thoroughness and detail Praise for prompt and complete work Immediate feedback Dislikes Tasks with no practical use Open-ended activities Complex directions Activities that focus on feelings or emotions

Electra Electra learns by: “WHY” Relationships Logical analysis Problem solving, evaluation Electra learns by: Lectures Reading Logical discussions and debates Projects of personal interest

Likes: Dislikes: Time to plan and organize Prefers to work independently or with others of similar learning styles Challenge her to think, explore and master Dislikes: Rote assignments Memorization Rigid rules and predetermined procedures Activities with no rationale

Buddy Buddy learns by: Life-oriented Likes being part of a team Likes activities that help him learn about himself Self-reflection Buddy learns by: Group projects Personal attention, expression, and encounters Role playing

Likes: Dislikes Personal attention and encouragement Opportunities to be helpful Personal feedback Sharing personal feelings and experiences Dislikes Working alone Emphasis on facts Highly competitive games Detailed and demanding routines

Celestine Celestine learns by: Creative, imaginative Plans and organizes in creative ways Multiple projects Enjoys searching for alternative solutions Celestine learns by: Creative, artistic expression Open-ended discussions Activities that enlighten and enhance

Likes: Dislikes: Contemplation Learning through discovery Opportunity to plan and pursue own interests Recognition for personal insights Dislikes: Too much attention to detail Facts, memorization, rote learning Tasks with predetermined right answers Detailed and demanding routines

Application: How can you use MI and Learning Styles as you work with others?