Class 8: Learning Styles and Teaching Strategies

On Wednesday, we talked about Georgia Performance Standards and the old Quality Core Curriculum Standards. You should have found the standards that address your selected subject area and grade level and should have printed them and bring them to the class.
Today we will first talk about the ISTE standards for technology integration -- this class, and your course projects, are based on those standards.

Today we will share our findings from our learning styles quiz.
Watch this video. You can also watch this one.
After reading this article and this short learning style chart, answer the following question:
Did you agree with the results? Why or why not? Do you think a student is always a specific type of learner? Do you learn differently for different subjects?

Find another two persons with similar learning styles of yours. As a group answer the following questions:
What technology have you seen used to meet the needs of different learners? What tools do you use for studying?
How do you think learning the different learning styles will help you become a better teacher? Students preferentially take in and process information in different ways: by seeing and hearing, reflecting and acting, reasoning logically and intuitively, analyzing and visualizing, or in steadily and in fits and starts. Teaching methods also vary. Some instructors lecture, others demonstrate or lead students to self-discovery; some focus on principles and others on applications; some emphasize memory and others understanding.

In your groups share your insights into the following questions:
What do you think happens when mismatches exists between the learning styles of most students in a class and the teaching style of the professor? What happens to the student? To the professor? As a student what can you do to help the professor teaching you more effectively? As a future teacher, what techniques would you use to help your students?

Ultimately, the instructor is here to help you learn. One way is to create a learner centered classroom (Chapter 2) that meets the Learner’s needs (Chapter 4). As a student, it is up to you to take ownership of your own learning experience.
Here are more resources on learning styles.

Learning Styles Explained
Learning Styles Chart
Learning Styles Self-Assessment
Multiple Intelligence Inventory

To do:

• Read Chapter 3 in groups and then each group create a bumper sticker with no more than 8 words. Your bumper sticker should summarize the section that you have read. Try to add some humourous elements if you can. You will use the WebCT discussion function to discuss your bumper sticker. On Monday, one of your group members will share with the class your bumper sticker and explain it.
  
• Group 1: A Basic Introduction to learning Theory
• Group 2: Constructivism in the Classroom
• Group 3: What Does it Mean to Learn?
• Group 4: Accountability and Assessment