Learner Styles

[cameliadeaconu]

a. Look at these three statements and decide which you agree with and why.
"I don't use listening activities in my classes because I don't think they are important.
I think I should try to use more variation of activities to incorporate 'learner styles' and help all my pupils learn.
I never let the children move around in class because they make too much noise."

I agree with the second statement. First of all, most of the times there are different kinds of learners in a class and I have to come up with activities which can help each child according to the preferred learning style. Secondly, I think that it's useful for the students to develop other learning styles as well, even though they are free to focus on their predominating/preferred style. Also, a student has a predominant learning style, but also other styles which can enhance learning if they are stimulated.
If you study Howard Gardner's descriptions of the intelligence types, you will see that they are linked to the preferred learner styles.

b. What is your preferred learning style: auditory, visual, kinesthetic? Or a combination? Explain your choice with examples from your experience.
I'm mostly a visual learner, but I prefer a combination of all styles. I remember things well when I take notes and when I visualise the position of the text/image. Being an active person, I also remember things when there's movement involved. I also like to listen to what I have to learn (that's why I always went to courses when I was in school :P).

[cristinamoya]

- "I think I should try to use more variation of activities to incorporate 'learner styles' and help all my pupils learn". I agree with this statement because I really believe that every student has a different way to learn, to internalize any concept, idea or feeling that the teacher can transmit him/her.

- Personally, my preferred learning style, based on my experience and tests, is a combination of visual and kinesthetic. I have to see and touch, feel, and this way, it is easier for me to remember, to keep in my mind, to retain. For example, I am spatial, rather than musical.