Learning Styles/Teaching Strategies By David Perley

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles “Set of unique ways in which a student perceives, thinks about, and processes the information he or she gathers from the surrounding world, from teachers, from other students, and from instructional materials.” (Robert Leavitt)

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles  Important to note that research offers only tendencies observed by others  Do not stereotype, findings do not apply to all First Nation students  Use findings as mere starting points that must be verified for themselves  Become part of the community; be sensitive to student backgrounds and experiences

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles Global First Nation students are more likely to have a greater strength with a “global” way of learning. That is, the student tends to understand best when the overall concept is presented first; context is important. (Arthur J. More)

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles Visual More likely a strength for many First Nation learners. The more visual learner codes concepts using mental images and learns more effectively from images and diagrams. (Arthur J. More)

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles Concrete First Nation students, in the school setting, are more likely to have greater strength with a concrete learning style. Some students learn better when concrete examples are provided for various learning tasks. (Arthur J. More)

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Learning Styles Reflective First Nation students seem more likely to have a strength towards a reflective way of learning. The learner completely thinks through the new learning before using it. (Arthur J. More)

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Teaching Strategies Suggestions  Curriculum materials should use a visually presented format  Use experiential learning techniques  Use multi-sensory materials  Allow students to privately rehearse a skill before demonstrating competency publicly  Allow students to learn by observing and imitating

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Teaching Strategies Suggestions  Emphasize cooperative and collaborative learning i.e. student-directed small groups  Be sensitive to nonverbal cues such as eye contact and smiling  Accept silence; feelings of discomfort are frequently masked in silence  Allow longer pauses after asking questions  Avoid spotlighting

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Successful Strategies Joe Duquette High School Model  Native literature is incorporated into language arts  First Nations related events, culture, and society are a focus in social studies  Teachers use Talking/Healing Circles and storytelling to assist English language development in a culturally relevant manner  The school offers a cultural camp

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Successful Strategies Joe Duquette High School Model  Teachers and an Elder offer a Drumming Circle and a Dancing Circle  The school organizes and sponsors social gatherings to which they invite the community and other participants

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Successful Strategies Inuit Model  Model for developing curriculum materials  Development process was a collaborative effort involving the staff and community members  The staff articulated a vision and mission statement for the school  Teamwork was emphasized  Teachers tried to bring more relevant, Inuit- based content to the school

David Perley, Tobique First Nation Successful Strategies Inuit Model  Teachers adopted a thematic approach to teaching