Creative Classroom

Reach all students by using learning styles in your

teaching

Lynn Hanen, MSIvy Tech Adjunct Faculty

Indianapolis

Learning Styles

• Individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. The learning styles theory implies that how much individuals learn has more to do with whether the educational experience is geared toward their particular style of learning than whether or not they are “smart.” In fact, educators should not ask, “Is this student smart?” but rather “How is this student smart?”

Learning Style Theory

• Based on research• heredity• upbringing• environmental demands

• Individuals perceive and process knowledge differently

• concrete and abstract perceivers• active and reflective processors

Concrete and Abstractive perceivers

• Concrete Percievers:• absorb information through direct

experience, by doing, acting, sensing, and feeling.

• Abstractive Perceivers:• take in information through analysis,

observation, and thinking

Active and Reflective Processors

• Active Processors:• make sense of an experience by

immediately using the new information

• Reflective Processors:• make sense of an experience by

reflecting on and thinking about it

Traditional SchoolingWe Need to Start Thinking “Out of the Box”

• Favors: abstract perceivingo thinkersreflective

processingo thinkers

• Not Rewarded: concrete

perceiverso doing, acting active processors o Immediate use

Learning Styles Impact Education

• Curriculum – educators must place emphasis on intuition, feeling, sensing, and imagination, in addition to the traditional skills of analysis, reason, and problem solving.

• Instruction – all learning styles should be used to connect with students

• Assessment – focus on developing the whole brain, use different learning styles

Learning Styles Found in the ClassroomDo you recognize these students?

• Visual Learners:• take numerous detailed notes• tend to sit in the front• are usually neat and clean• often close their eyes to visualize or remember something • find something to watch if they are bored• like to see what they are learning • benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color• are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery• prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic

distraction • find passive surroundings ideal

• Auditory Learners

• sit where they can hear but needn’t pay attention to what is happening in front

• may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why

• hum or talk to themselves or others when bored• acquire knowledge by reading aloud• remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves(if they

don’t they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics)

• Kinesthetic Learners

• need to be active and take frequent breaks• speak with their hands and with gestures• remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what

was said or seen• find reasons to tinker or move when bored• rely on what they can directly experience or perform• activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art

help them perceive and learn• enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials• sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get

up and move around• are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities

for hands-on-experiences• communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed

encouragement, such as a pat on the back

Learning Styles

• Purple – 65% Visual• Blue – 20% Auditory• Yellow – 5% Tactile

Benefits of Understanding your Learning Style

• Academic Advantages · Maximizing your learning potential · Succeed on all educational levels · Understand how to best study and score better on exams and tests · Overcome limitations in the classroom · Reduces frustration and stress levels · Expand your existing learning strategies

• · Improve your self-confidence and self-esteem · Learn how to best use your brain · Gain insight into your own strengths as well as weaknesses · Learn how to enjoy learning more · Develop a motivation for learning · How to maximize your natural abilities and skills

Personal Advantages

Professional Advantages

· Stay up to date on professional topics· Gain an edge over the competition· Manage teams in a more effective

manner· Learn how to deliver more effective

presentations· Improve your sales skills· Increasing your earning power

Educational Learning Styles

• Visual (spatial) – prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding

• Aural (auditory-musical) - prefer using sound and music

• Verbal (linguistic) - prefer using words, both in speech and writing

• Physical (kinesthetic) – prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

• Logical (mathematical) – prefer using logic, reasoning and systems

• Social (interpersonal) – prefer to learn in groups or with other people

• Solitary (intrapersonal) – prefer to work alone and use self-study

• WHICH TYPE OF INSTRUCTOR OR You?