Section 3.6: Learning Styles
In
terms of process, in the course resource, Creative
Student Assessment: A Guide to Meaningful Evaluation that
was forwarded to you, there are several questionnaires
in Appendix D regarding learning
styles. Please take a moment to read through these. Although
there are many different models of learning styles (e.g., cognitive,
physical, interpersonal), the simplest one for novice tutors
to utilize is the physical model. As you see in the first learning
style questionnaire in the appendix of your resource, there
are three different types of physical learners:
- visual - prefer to use their eyes
to learn (e.g., reading text, graphics, images, videos)
- auditory - prefer to use their ears
when learning (e.g., respond well to discussion, audio tapes)
- motor - prefer to use their bodies
when learning (e.g., like hands-on activities, demonstrations)
This
is a fairly simple style to address in one's teaching since
lessons can be planned to include activities that will cover
all three styles. But what place do learning styles play in
literacy teaching and learning? It is important for us
to understand that people have preferred ways of learning. Unfortunately,
often both instructors and students approach learning as though
there were a “right” way to learn, not realizing that any learning style that works is the right
one. As
tutors we need to be aware of how (i.e., by what processes) students learn most effectively, not just what (i.e., content) they need to learn. Knowing about different learning styles
helps to identify:
- what process will be more and less effective
with a particular learner (e.g., if we use a great deal of
visual images with an auditory learners, learning will be
less effective).
- ways for students to effectively
manage their learning based on their preferred style (e.g.,
ask an instructor to explain something in terms that suit
his/her particular style)
- ways to improve our teaching (e.g.,
develop instruction that appeals to a broad range of
student styles)
Try the physical learning styles questionnaire
now. How do you learn best? Are you a visual, auditory or motor learner?
How do you think an instructor might help you
to learn best? How do
you think your physical learning style might influence how you
plan and implement your lessons? (Note: AL&L offers a more
detailed course entitled “Learning Styles and Strategies” for
Level II certification).
In
addition to learning styles, some other factors that are involved
in the "process" of learning include:
- identifying goals that are meaningful
to the student
- determining appropriate individual
strategies for learning
- developing activities that are
interesting and relevant for the learner
- improving study skills (i.e.,
time management, organization, etc)
Note that the emphasis is on what is important
and interesting to the student.
This is what is known as a learner-centred approach
to teaching and is an important underlying principle to working
with adult learners. This concept is discussed in more detail
in the following section.
Resources:
On to Section 3.7
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(Page updated
July 2002)
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