Everyone Has Their Own Style Of Learning As Educators We Oft
Everyone Has Their Own Style Of Learning As Educators We Often Get S
Everyone has their own style of learning. As educators, we often get stuck on one teaching method or style in which we teach our students. Some may argue that it is impossible and pointless to teach to different types of learners in higher education. However, your text presents many different modes of presenting information to students and evaluating their understanding. Take the “What’s Your Learning Style” quiz and summarize your results in the discussion post. Using Chapter 25 and the resources available in the quiz results, discuss your prominent learning styles and/or types. Include three examples of activities that would align with your own strengths. I ALREADY TOOK THE QUIZ, I ATTACH MY RESULTS BELOW. YOU WILL NEED TO FOR THE DISCUSSION ABOVE.
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Understanding one's own learning style is crucial for both personal development and effective teaching. According to the results from the “What’s Your Learning Style” quiz, my predominant learning style is predominantly visual, with some kinesthetic tendencies. This indicates that I learn best through visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and videos, complemented by hands-on activities that involve movement and doing. Recognizing this, I am able to tailor my approach to learning and teaching to optimize comprehension and retention. Moreover, understanding my learning preferences enables me to appreciate the diversity of student learning styles and adapt my instructional strategies accordingly.
Chapter 25 highlights the importance of differentiating instruction based on students’ learning styles. It discusses various modalities including visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learning preferences. While many educators may favor one style over another, research emphasizes the benefit of employing multiple teaching methods to reach diverse learners effectively (Dunn & Dunn, 1998). For instance, integrating visual aids with interactive activities caters to multiple learning preferences simultaneously. As an educator, leveraging knowledge of my own learning preferences can help me design lessons that are engaging and effective, simultaneously modeling the importance of understanding individual differences to my students.
Regarding my prominent learning style—visual kinesthetic—three activities align well with my strengths. First, incorporating visual presentations such as infographics and mind maps can help me better understand complex concepts and facilitate my retention of information. Second, active learning tasks like role-playing or simulation exercises appeal to my kinesthetic tendencies, enabling me to learn through movement and direct involvement. For example, in a history class, reenacting historical events or conducting mock trials makes the learning experience more immersive and memorable. Third, using interactive digital tools such as educational apps or virtual labs allows me to manipulate virtual objects, merge visual stimuli with hands-on experiences, and deepen my understanding of scientific processes or other abstract concepts.
By understanding my learning style, I can also appreciate the importance of providing varied instructional methods in higher education. For example, incorporating multimedia presentations, group discussions, and experiential activities caters to diverse learning preferences among students (Felder & Silverman, 1988). As educators, embracing multiple modalities not only enhances student engagement but also promotes inclusive teaching practices that recognize individual differences.
Furthermore, research suggests that students benefit from recognizing their own learning styles and developing strategies to leverage their strengths while addressing their weaknesses (Kolb, 1984). Encouraging learners to identify their preferences helps foster autonomous learning and self-regulation. As teachers, modeling such awareness and providing opportunities for students to explore different approaches can significantly improve their academic performance and motivation.
In conclusion, my identified visual kinesthetic learning style informs my approach to understanding new material and designing engaging educational activities. By incorporating visual aids, active participation, and interactive tools, I can optimize my learning process. Simultaneously, applying this understanding in my teaching practices allows me to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment that celebrates diverse learning preferences among students. Ultimately, recognizing and respecting different learning styles enriches the educational experience for all, fostering a culture of adaptability and lifelong learning.
References
- Dunn, R., & Dunn, K. (1998). Teaching Students Through Their Individual Learning Styles: A Practical Approach. Prentice Hall.
- Felder, R. M., & Silverman, L. K. (1988). Learning and teaching styles in engineering education. Engineering education, 78(7), 674-681.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice-Hall.
- Michael, J. (2006). Where's the evidence that active learning works? Advances in Physiology Education, 30(4), 159-167.
- Fleming, N., & Mills, C. (1992). Not Another Inventory, Rather a Catalyst for Reflection. To Improve the Academy, 11(1), 137-155.
- Gregory, G., & Chapman, C. (2013). Differentiated Instructional Strategies: One Size Doesn't Fit All. Corwin Press.
- McCarthy, B. (1980). The 4MAT System: Teaching to Learning Styles with Right/Left Encoding, Brain Science, and Data-Driven Strategies. Springer Publishing Company.
- Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms. ASCD.
- VARK. (n.d.). About the VARK Learning Styles. Retrieved from https://vark-learn.com/introduction-to-vark/
- Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2011). Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: Theoretical Perspectives. Routledge.