1. Summary
Our team was able to identify many instructional methods. Kimber pointed out direct, indirect, computer-assisted, interactive, and differentiated instruction as methods that can help learners. Merriam focused on instructional delivery, learning styles, and explicit and systematic instruction, visual representations, and peer tutoring as techniques to help our student learn easier. When delivering instructions it is important to pay close attention to pacing, providing adequate time to process information, give feedback, and observe students’ responses. Lauren was able to compile a list of hands-on, differentiated, and dramatic play activities. From small group discussions to spelling contests, varieties of methods were provided to motivate learners.
My team members described situations where they believed they had applied the proper instructional methods and had not gotten the result they were expecting. What they all agreed was that most of the times teaching is a trial and error experience in which instruction needs to be modified based on students learning styles and capabilities, environment, teacher, and other components that might lead to distractions or lack of enthusiasm.
After reading module 1 material and my peer’s input, it made me wonder if learning styles have a connection with different subjects. For example, if visual learners are better dealing with numbers (math) and maybe auditory learners are better in reading.
2. Articles
Authors of this article conducted research among 105 community college students to show if there is a connection between academic performance and student’s learning style preferences. Results demonstrate students achieve academic goals when instructional methods match learning styles, however, it was found that students are able to adapt or change their learning styles based on subjects. For example, students prefer to learn science using an experimentation instructional method. For this reason, it is important for student to recognize their learning preferences.
Jones, C., Reichard, C., & Mokhtari, K. (2003). Are students’ learning styles discipline specific? Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 27: 363–375. Retrieved from http://metawiki-onlinelearning-brockport.pbworks.com/f/jonesetal.pdf
This article describes the learning styles objectives as a way to improve teaching and learning experience. Three challenges are also uncovered – 1) the confusion of many definitions used when identifying learning styles concept, 2) weak consideration of results, and 3) the lack of identification of characteristics of such learning styles.
Curry, L. (1990). A critique of the research on learning styles. Educational Leadership, 50-56. Retrieved from http://12.4.125.3/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_199010_curry.pdf.
This paper is a summary of “Language Learning Styles and Strategies” book that describes two variables as styles (approaches) and strategies (behaviors) used by learners when they are trying to learn a language. Learning styles represent student’s sensory preferences, personalities, and biological capabilities. Strategies are defined as the steps or techniques students take to increase learning. When students are able to choose strategies fitting their styles they will gain the best learning outcome. Four aspects of learning style are discussed. Effective strategies are those that are relevant to the task, fit the student’s learning style, and the students know how to utilize strategy and maybe combine with other good strategies. It is why it is important for teachers to educate students about styles and strategies.
Oxford, R. L. (2003). Language learning styles and strategies: an overview. Retrieved from http://web.ntpu.edu.tw/~language/workshop/read2.pdf
3. Recommendation
I recommend “Are students’ learning styles discipline specific?” because it describes Kolb learning styles model. This model is a four stage learning cycle which follows a learning process through experience (feeling), reflective observation (watching), think, and then act (doing). Interesting results demonstrate that students least prefer to use experimentation method when learning English and social studies, but do prefer this method when learning science. This article gives readers an understanding of how learning styles will determine what strategies to use.
4. Questions
Do you take time to identify your students learning styles initially when the semester or school year starts? If you do, do you normally follow a survey type assessment or what type of assessment do you conduct to get to know your student’s learning style? Do you believe it is our responsibility as educators to train our students “how to learn”?
First, I love the topic you decided to research. Definitely very intriguing as teachers... I would have never thought to discover if different learning styles and approaches were better. Personally, it seems that hands-on and he use of manipulatives or experiments would be best for science and math. However, with social studies, I definitely think more hands-on projects-based learning is important. With language arts/reading/writing, visuals are always helpful, but the repetition of practice and the learning of key concepts seems most important to me.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the recommended article you supplied. It was very enlightening! Kolb's ideas and learning styles are very interesting and a great way to reach the students.
I am not currently teaching and have only had classrooms that were under the observation of another teacher (student teaching, methods instruction, and reading instruction blocks of schooling). However, in these classrooms, the first day I was "in charge", I used an inventory checklist to find out about the student's learning styles, their interests, favorite subjects, etc. This helped me to plan lessons around the hobbies and interests of the students. I also asked questions about the technology they liked to use and what they had used in the past. This helped me to see what the students were comfortable with and what they would need instruction on before being "handed the reigns". As far as training our students "how to learn"... I think the students should train us "how to teach". We shouldn't put students in a box where they can only learn by reading instructions on a chalkboard and writing down spelling words ten times each. I think we should adapt to the learning styles our students already have and develop our lessons and teaching around them, instead of getting them to conform to our teaching styles.
I too, love the topic you decided to research. I believe it is our responsibility to teach kids not only how to learn, but to study adn how to be successful on exams. We need to teach them to be tolerant of others and how to show compassion. Alot of people disagree and say it's the parent's responsibility, but it a community effort. We all need to take some stake in it and we all will benefit in the future. I also think it is important to note that children who are disobedient and difficult are sometimes assumed "defiant" when they just haven't yet learned to follow directions or how to accept no for an answer. Those too are our responsibility to teach to these children. And if they haven't been taught by high school, please make sure they are taught before sending them out into the world.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I know and understand the different learning styles, I use a lot of visual and kinesetic approches in my special ed classroom.
Great research topic! This has come up in many of our district meetings, vertical subject alignments, and classroom evaluations.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of every school year, I take about the first week of school out to get to know the kids, set up my classroom, and tweak my lessons to match their preferred learning preferences. It goes something like this:
Monday - welcome, syllabus, book check-out, student info/names
Tuesday - room scavenge hunt (have several posters, mathematicians, formulas covering my walls) so students are aware of their environment.
Wednesday - shape drawings and labelings, math chart
Thursday - one of those follow the directions test (if read correctly just put your name on it - if incorrect, students end up walking around desk and saying pledge of allegiance)
Friday - students and I look over how they responded to the types of assignments.
key:
Tuesday - kinesthetic
Wednesday - visual
Thursday - read/write
Just by doing these somewhat non-traditional lessons/assessments the first week of school, I get a pretty good idea of which students enjoy and get the most out of the different styles of learning. I do this again at mid-semester if I have a class change.
I always do the pre-assessment at the beginning of the year, but thinking about it students are constantly learning. I should probably do this mid-year and at the end of the year to see how students have grown in their learning abilities.
I believe as educators, we are to help students learn in styles according to their strengths, but also by styles that strengthen their weaknesses. I teach my lessons in a way that targets all learner types which helps students gain the material from all different directions.
In my hs math and jr sciences classes, I do find myself teaching them how to take notes, make note cards, and study. I believe this is vital even though it is not required; I wish my teachers had taught me that. In hs I was a straight A student, never had hw, never had to study since it came so easy to me. When I went to college I hit this wall because I didn’t know how to study. I had to take time out to teach myself (however round-about it may be) so I could keep up in my classes. Being aware of how best you learn is an amazing tool to have.
Lauren.. It seems that you have great ideas even though you have not had the opportunity of have your own classroom. I like what you responded, "student should train us how to teach". Difficult to digest, but true. In order to be successful in this field, teachers now have to adapt to their learning styles and preferences. It's not like when I used to be a student that we had to adapt to the teacher's teaching style.
ReplyDeleteKimber, I understand why your instructional delivery focus more on visual and kinestic. Your learners demand and require that type of teaching.
Merriam, I loved the way you conduct your learning style assessment. It's not only unique and creative, but necessary. I am pretty sure you have eager learners waiting to go your class. I also agree with assessing their growth in terms of their learning abilities half way because change their preferences and styles especially at that age.
I asked the question about training our students to know how they learn because I found in the research that it is important for students to also understand their learning styles and preferences so they can demand and adapt to instructional delivery.