Download - Learning Styles
Directing Learning Experiences
Student Learning Styles
Objectives
Discuss the importance of considering students' learning styles when designing lessons
Evaluate the learning style of your students
Assess your own learning style Design lessons that take into account
differences in students' learning styles
Why Is It Important to Know Students Learning Styles?
Students process information differentlyIf educators teach exclusively to one style
student’s comfort level may be diminishedIf only taught in one style students may
lose mental dexterity to think in different ways
Meet the learning needs of all students
Field-dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Dependent Learnerperceives globallyexperiences in a global fashion, adheres to
structures as givenshipssocial orientation learns material with social content best
Field-dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Dependent Learnersattends best to material relevant to own
experiencerequires externally defined goals and
reinforcementsneeds organization providedmore affected by criticismuses spectator approach for concept
attainment
Field-Dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Independent Learnersperceives analyticallyexperiences in an articulated fashion,
imposes structure or restrictionsmakes specific concept distinctions, little
overlap impersonal orientation
Field-Dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Independent Learners- learns social material as an intentional task interested in new concepts for their own
sakehas self-defined goals and reinforcementcan self-structure situations less affected by criticismuses hypothesis-testing approach to attain
concepts
Field-Dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Dependent Teaching Styles prefers teaching situations that allow interaction
and discussion with students uses questions to check on student learning
following instruction uses student-centered activities viewed by students as teaching facts provides less feedback, avoids negative evaluation strong in establishing a warm and personal
learning environment
Field-Dependent and Field Independent Characteristics
(Garger & Guild, 1984)Field Independent Teaching Styles prefers impersonal teaching situations such as
lectures, emphasizes cognitive aspects of instruction uses questions to introduce topics and probe student
answers uses teacher-organized learning situations viewed by students as encouraging to apply
principles gives corrective feedback, uses negative evaluation strong in organizing and guiding student learning
Learning StylesAnalytic vs. Global Learners
www.wavefront.com/~nelson/styles.htm
Analytical Learners Left-brained Words Numbers Parts Sequential Linear Detail Verbal Punctual Organized
Global Learners Right-brained Images Patterns Wholes Simultaneous Patterns Whole picture Non-verbal Without sense of time Creative Intuitive Spontaneous
Learning StylesSensory Learning Modalities
VISUAL - (learn by seeing and writing) 40% of learners Can be verbal (sees words) or pictorial (sees
pictures) Remembers faces but not names Vivid imaginations Think in pictures Facial expression tells what their emotions are Uses color Caution: TV, Movies, Nintendo can be addicting
Learning StylesSensory Learning Modalities
AUDITORY - (learn by listening) 30% of learners Learn from verbal instruction Need phonics Enjoy plays Write lightly and it is not always legible Remember names and forget faces Distracted by noise Remember by listening, especially with music Games and pictures are annoying and distracting
Learning StylesSensory Learning Modalities
KINESTHETIC - (large motor, whole body learning) Learn by doing Not avid reader Poor spellers Remember what was done Doesn't "hear" things as well Touch is important Attacks things physically - fight, hit, pound Impulsive Needs math and science manipulatives Loves games
Learning StylesSensory Learning Modalities
TACTILE - (small motor learning)Most of the same traits as kinestheticNote: Kinesthetic and tactile learners have
the most difficulty learning to read.Note: All children are very kinesthetic to
age 6.
Learning Styles ModelsThe Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
(MBTI) http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Papers/LS-
Prism.htm
extraverts (try things out, focus on the outer world of people) or introverts (think things through, focus on the inner world of
ideas);
sensors (practical, detail-oriented, focus on facts and procedures)
or intuitors (imaginative, concept-oriented, focus on meanings and possibilities);
Learning Styles ModelsThe Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
(MBTI) thinkers (skeptical, tend to make decisions based
on logic and rules) or feelers (appreciative, tend to make decisions
based on personal and humanistic considerations);
judgers (set and follow agendas, seek closure even with incomplete data)
or perceivers (adapt to changing circumstances, resist closure to obtain more data).
Learning Styles ModelsKolb's Learning Style Model
Type 1 (concrete, reflective). A characteristic question of this learning type is
"Why?" learners respond well to explanations of how
course material relates to their experience, their interests, and their future careers.
To be effective instructor should function as a motivator.
Learning Styles ModelsKolb's Learning Style Model
Type 2 (abstract, reflective). A characteristic question of this learning type is
"What?" learners respond to information presented in
an organized, logical fashion and benefit if they have time for reflection.
To be effective, the instructor should function as an expert.
Learning Styles ModelsKolb's Learning Style Model
Type 3 (abstract, active). A characteristic question of this learning type is "How?" learners respond to having opportunities to work
actively on well-defined tasks and to learn by trial-and-error in an environment that allows them to fail safely.
To be effective, the instructor should function as a coach, providing guided practice and feedback.
Learning Styles ModelsKolb's Learning Style Model
Type 4 (concrete, active). A characteristic question of this learning
type is "What if?" learners like applying course material in
new situations to solve real problems. To be effective, the instructor should
stay out of the way, maximizing opportunities for the students to discover things for themselves.
Learning Styles Models Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument
(HBDI)Quadrant A (left brain, cerebral). Logical,
analytical, quantitative, factual, criticalQuadrant B (left brain, limbic). Sequential,
organized, planned, detailed, structuredQuadrant C (right brain, limbic). Emotional,
interpersonal, sensory, kinesthetic, symbolic
Quadrant D (right brain, cerebral). Visual, holistic, innovative
Learning Styles ModelsFelder-Silverman Learning Style
Model sensing learners (concrete, practical, oriented toward
facts and procedures) or intuitive learners (conceptual, innovative, oriented
toward theories and meanings)
visual learners (prefer visual representations of presented material--pictures, diagrams, flow charts)
or verbal learners (prefer written and spoken explanations)
Learning Styles ModelsFelder-Silverman Learning Style
Model inductive learners (prefer presentations that
proceed from the specific to the general)or deductive learners (prefer presentations
that go from the general to the specific)
active learners (learn by trying things out, working with others)
Learning Styles ModelsFelder-Silverman Learning Style
Modelor reflective learners (learn by thinking things
through, working alone)
sequential learners (linear, orderly, learn in small incremental steps)
or global learners (holistic, systems thinkers, learn in large leaps)
Determine Student and Teacher Learning Styles
Observation of students in class and response to assignments
GEFT TestMBTISeveral tests on-line
How do we develop lessons that consider learning styles?
Develop lesson to suit teachers learning style and add diverse activities
Vary assessment activities Include the use of all the senses Use a variety of teaching techniques Offer alternative paths Type of feedback given Variety of instructional materials
Application
Students will complete one of the learning styles inventories. http://snow.utoronto.ca/Learn2/mod3/index.html Learning Styles Test of the Center for New Discoveries in
Learning http://www.howtolearn.com/personal.html Keirsey Character Sorter & Keirsey Temperament Sorter
http://keirsey.com/ http://www.womensmedia.com/seminar-learningstyle.html http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/
ILSpage.html http://www.d.umn.edu/student/loon/acad/strat/lrnsty.html http://capital2.capital.edu/faculty/afields/STYLE.HTM Demonstrate knowledge of learning styles in lesson plans
and peer teaching.
Evaluation
Teaching PlansMid-semester Exam