Learning Styles

Cape May County ETTC

Technology Proficiency Courses

Inquiry Based Learning - Problem-Based Learning

What are learning styles? Several indices of learning styles

1. From - http://bsd-server.nc.edu/virtcol/ss/learn.html

Learning Styles:
People not only learn at different rates, but also in different ways. Some students want their teacher to write everything out on the board. Others prefer to listen. Some like to sit in small groups and discuss a question; others like to listen to a lecture, translating it into pictorial doodles in their notebook.

The following are some ways people learn, and some times to help each type of learner do so better. Once you understand your learning style, you may be able to adjust your approach to the classroom and your study habits for maximum benefit. Older students tend to have multiple learning styles because their experience (jobs, military service, spouse and children) has taught them to adapt. The most important thing to remember is: do what works for you!

Visual Learners: (You have to see it to believe it)

Characteristics:

· Needs to see it to know it.

· Strong sense of color.

· May have artistic ability.

· Difficulty with spoken directions.

· Over-reaction to sounds.

· Trouble following lectures.

· Misinterpretation of words.

Learning Tips:

· Use graphics to reinforce learning--films, slides, illustrations, doodles, charts, notes, and flashcards.

· Color code to organize notes.

· Written directions.

· Use flow charts and diagrams for notetaking.

· Visualize spelling of words or facts to be memorized.

· Write out everything for quick and frequent visual review.

Auditory Learners: (If you hear it, you remember it.)

Characteristics:

· Prefers to get information by listening--needs to hear it to know it.

· Difficulty following written directions.

· Difficulty with reading and writing.

Learning Tips:

· Use tapes for reading and for class and lectur notes.

· Learn by interviewing or by participating in discussions.

· After you have read something, summarize it on tape.

· Verbally review spelling words and lectures with a friend.

Tactual/Kinesthetic Learners: (If you can touch it with your hands, you will remember it.)

Characteristics:

· Prefers hands-on learning.

· Can assemble parts without reading directions.

· Difficulty sitting still.

· Learns better when physical activity is involved.

· May be very well coordinated and have athletic ability.

Learning Tips:

· Experiental learning (make models, do lab work, and role play).

· Frequent breaks in study periods.

· Trace letters and words to learn spelling and remember facts.

· Use a computer to reinforce learning through a sense of touch.

· Memorize or drill facts to be learned while walking or exercising.

· Write out facts to be learned several times.

2. GOOD REVIEW CHART - http://www.chaminade.org/inspire/learnstl.htm

Self assessment and assessing your preferences

Learning Styles Inventory

3. Canfield's inventory http://www.tecweb.org/styles/stylesframe.html

4. another quick assessment http://bsd-server.nc.edu/virtcol/ss/learn.html#eval

5. http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/modality.htm has many of the general inventory/assessments

6. http://www.smarterkids.com/mysmarterkids/stylesurvey.asp?linkID=78 - a survey with a focus on MI and learning styles.

7. http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Learning_Styles.html - another survey

Managing the classroom with multiple learning styles

8. http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm Good Teacher Tips

9. http://snow.utoronto.ca/Learn2/resources/stylelinks.html Has information, tips and surveys

10. http://7-12educators.about.com/education/7- 12educators/cs/learningstyles/index.htm?rnk=r1&terms=%22learning+styles%22 - about.com's list of help

11. http://www.crlt.umich.edu/occ10.html - good break down of learning style models.

12. http://www.smarterkids.com/rescenter/learnstyle.asp - good intro article (nice to give to parents)

13. http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm

14. http://www.namss.org.uk/lstyles.htm#General

15. http://www.familyeducation.com/topic/front/0,1156,3-2106,00.html - lots of information

16. http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Papers/LS-Prism.htm

17. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/education/learningstyle.html

18. http://www.geocities.com/~educationplace/ls.html - general definition and information

19. http://www.gwu.edu/~tip/index.html - database of many learning models

20. http://www.duq.edu/~tomei/tomei/advancedsites.html - lots of links including learning styles

Introduction/Overview: Multiple Intelligences

21. http://www.coedu.usf.edu/~morris/multiple.html -"8” Kinds of Smart

22. http://www.surfaquarium.com/mi.htm includes the possible ninth intelligence

23. http://www.surfaquarium.com/MIinvent.htm - Where are your Strengths?

Self assessment: assessing the balance of your intelligences

24. http://snow.utoronto.ca/Learn2/mod3/miinventory.html - This is an interactive MI test to determine your intelligence

25. http://www.tier.net/schools/stw/multiple.htm This checklist is adapted from one developed by Thomas Armstrong, which appears in Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, a 1994 publication of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria, VA.

How technology supports the classroom with multiple learning styles and intelligences

26. VISIT - http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oet/customer/mi - lists tools that support the different styles

27. VISIT - http://www.ri.net/RITTI_Fellows/Carlson-Pickering/MI_Tech.htm - has good examples of software and activities that enhance lessons

28. VISIT - http://www.surfaquarium.com/im.htm - web links sorted my MI

29. VISIT - http://www.lams.losalamos.k12.nm.us/technology/MI.html includes web links for each MI

30. http://web.indstate.edu/ctl/styles/learning.html - Using Learning Styles to Adapt Technology for Higher Education - good for all grades

31. http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/presentations/faces.PDF - a good article by Kathy Schrock on MI and technology

32. http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic68.htm - matches software to MI

33. http://www.mcmel.org/erica.mi/technology.html - lists technology activities and matches to the MI

Other MI Links

34. http://web.jet.es/bazkat/mi.htm - good list of all sorts of links

35. http://www.harding.edu/~cbr/midemo/mifirst.html - resources

36. http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/oct00/martin&burnette.htm - some ideas using MI

37. http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oet/customer/mi - includes a webquest on MI