Learning Styles and Teaching Methods Two sides of the learning coin

Studying at University Adult learning is all about Adult learning is all about building knowledge building knowledge developing understanding, developing understanding, gaining experience gaining experience motivation to learn motivation to learn learning styles learning styles teaching strategies to facilitate learning teaching strategies to facilitate learning reading; writing; thinking; discussion reading; writing; thinking; discussion

What part do you play? Shared responsibility Shared responsibility Doing your bit Doing your bit Empty vessels? Empty vessels? Learning as opposed to being taught Learning as opposed to being taught Active not passive Active not passive

Building knowledge From the known to the unknown From the known to the unknown Using the framework of the module Using the framework of the module Using learning outcomes – a road map for learning Using learning outcomes – a road map for learning

Developing understanding Developing understanding Developing understanding thinking about thinking thinking about thinking systematic reflection systematic reflection setting goals setting goals Using experience Using experience reflecting on past experience reflecting on past experience Assessing how it can be used Assessing how it can be used

Motivation to learn Motivation Motivation the energy that drives and directs the individual the energy that drives and directs the individual Motivation to achieve Motivation to achieve the effort the individual perceives as meaningful the effort the individual perceives as meaningful Motivation to learn Motivation to learn Internal motivation Internal motivation External motivation External motivation

Motivation and learning Three types of learning Three types of learning Surface learning Surface learning Motivated by the desire to pass Motivated by the desire to pass Deep learning Deep learning Motivated by the desire to learn Motivated by the desire to learn Strategic learning Strategic learning Motivated by a desire to pass but targeted Motivated by a desire to pass but targeted

Learning styles Convergers Convergers Abstract concepts and active experimentation Abstract concepts and active experimentation Divergers Divergers Concrete experience and reflection Concrete experience and reflection Assimilators Assimilators Abstract conceptualisation and reflection Abstract conceptualisation and reflection Accommodators Accommodators Concrete experience and experimentation Concrete experience and experimentation

What is your learning style? Using the concepts in the last slide, can you identify your own learning style? Using the concepts in the last slide, can you identify your own learning style? What is the advantage of knowing how you learn? What is the advantage of knowing how you learn? How can this be assessed? How can this be assessed?

Link to identifying your own learning style To assess your learning place cursor over the link and right click. Move cursor to ‘ open hyperlink’ and left click. Why not try different questionnaires and then compare results

Learning Styles Pyramid Model

Strategies for learning Reading Reading Writing Writing Thinking Thinking Discussion in class, in small groups Discussion in class, in small groups Assessment/feedback Assessment/feedback

What do teachers do? Facilitate Facilitate Guide - provide the map Guide - provide the map Assess Assess Feedback Feedback Otherwise known as teaching Otherwise known as teaching

Teaching strategies Lectures Lectures large numbers, little depth, efficient large numbers, little depth, efficient Tutorials Tutorials smaller numbers, exploratory, active smaller numbers, exploratory, active Small groups Small groups active, concentrated and goal oriented active, concentrated and goal oriented Individual support Individual support

To summarise Studying at university Studying at university What part you play in the learning process What part you play in the learning process Building knowledge & developing understanding Building knowledge & developing understanding Motivation to learn Motivation to learn Learning styles Learning styles Learning strategies Learning strategies Teaching strategies Teaching strategies