Session+2+-+Learning+Styles

 Notes from Marion's session:



=Learning Styles: VAK = = = 

=**Introduction**=


 * Several models of learning styles – this session will focus on VAK
 * VAK model based on “the four modalities”
 * //(originates from the work of Bandler, R. and Grinder, J. in the Field of Neuro-Linguistic Programming)//
 * The Four Modalities model states that students may prefer a visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), kinaesthetic (moving) or tactile (touching) way of learning

=**VAK**=


 * Research by Alistair Smith also supports these ways of receiving information via the senses. He has presented the VAK model of learning styles
 * VAK stands for Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic (tactile, in this model, forms part of the Kinaesthetic style)
 * According to this theory, most people will have a stronger “preferred” learning style, but may benefit from opportunities to experience all three

Those who prefer a //visual// learning style...  
 * Visual**
 * look at the teacher's face intently 
 * like looking at wall displays, books etc. 
 * often recognize words by sight 
 * use lists to organize their thoughts 
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">recall information by remembering how it was set out on a page <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Those who prefer an //auditory// learning style... <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
 * Auditory**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">like the teacher to provide verbal instructions <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">like dialogues, discussions and plays <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">solve problems by talking about them <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">use rhythm and sound as memory aids <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Kinaesthetic learners do best while touching and moving. It has 2 sub-channels - kinaesthetic (movement) and tactile (touch) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Those who prefer a //kinesthetic// learning style... <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Those who prefer a //tactile way// of learning...<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Kinaesthetic**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">learn best when they are involved or active <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">find it difficult to sit still for long periods <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">use movement as a memory aid <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">use writing and drawing as memory aids <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">learn well in hands-on activities like projects and demonstrations <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

=** Activity **=

Work through the [|Barsch Inventory] to find out your learning style:

Which learning style is your preferred one? Do you have a strong tendency towards more than one? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> It should not be assumed that visually impaired children will not prefer a visual method of learning <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A person’s preferred learning style may not be affected by their visual impairment – it is important to remember that a visually impaired person has the same range of preferences and needs as a non visually-impaired person <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
 * Working with visually impaired and blind pupils** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">


 * Considerations** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Consider for children with no sight, preferences for verbal instructions vs Braille <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Consider children who have visual impairment might also have hearing loss <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kinaesthetic activities will need to be modified – e.g. children will be unable to sort by colour (kinaesthetic activities which also rely on visuals) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Consider the learning outcomes of an activity (what is the point?) as well as the need to address preferred learning styles


 * Teaching and Learning**

A child’s preferred learning style will impact upon the effectiveness of teaching strategies used with that child Activity


 * Does your own preferred learning style have any relation to the way in which you deliver work to students?
 * Are there any learning (or teaching) styles which you yourself do not use (or deliver)?

Activity **

Make a list of activities you use or have observed being used in the classroom, under the headings Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic


 * Are any of these activities subject specific?
 * Are there any subject areas where there is a tendency to favour a particular learning styles?


 * Preferred Learning Styles?**

Research suggests that students benefit from opportunities to use all three learning styles

Do you think that preferred learning styles are “fixed” or do they vary depending upon subject, interest, age etc?

Consider how early years pupils are taught and compare this to Key Stage 3 or 4

** Activity **
Consider how you could alter your practice to meet the needs of learners with a variety of learning styles
 * Do you have any examples of when you do this already?
 * Do you feel learning styles are important when considering the needs of students with visual impairments?


 * Key Themes**

What are the key messages for general teaching and learning practices which come out of your work on learning styles? E.g. appropriate differentiation, high expectations etc.

Debate
Read the following article, published in the TES, and post your thoughts on the **Discussion** Board: [|'Nonsense' method sees the disaffected flourish]


 * Other learning styles / intelligences theories**

Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligencies [|Multiple Intelligences Inventory]

Multiple Intellingences - [|Birmingham Grid for Learning]

Kolb, Bloom, Honey and Mumford - all discussed on a [|Leicester University site]

**Make notes on the above theories - can you make any links between these and your observations in practice?**


 * Further Reading**

Cassidy, S. (2004) ‘Learning styles: An overview of theories, models and measures’, //Educational Psychology//, 24 (4)