My Learning Style

After participating in the "Learning Style Inventory" questionnaire (Advanogy.com, 2007.) I discovered that as I have previously suspected, as a learner I have quite a sound combination of Visual (Spatial), Physical (Kinaesthetic) and Verbal (Linguistic) attributes. However, I was pleasantly surprised to note that I appear to be on equal grounding in regards to my Social (Interpersonal) and Solitary (Intrapersonal) learning traits. I was not surprised that I scored low in the area of Aural (auditory-musical), but was disappointed that my Logical (mathematical) attribute was quite dismal.

Learning experiences that would best suit my learning style would be an array of experiences stemming from my three main learning styles. Visually through the use of pictures, images and spatial understanding. Using words, both in the form of talking and writing, and finally, physical learning through hands on experiences.

In a classroom of the traditional sense it would be beneficial to mix up the learning experiences to cater to all students. A Learning Manager can not simply address one style of learner but needs to acknowledge and address the class as having a whole series of intertwining learning styles (Marzano & Pickering, 1997. McInerney & McInerney, 2006. Smith & Knight, 2006.) With seven exposed learning styles (as listed in the above diagram), and the possibility that students may have one or more of these learning styles, greatly increases the need for Learning Managers to broaden their methods of implementing learning experiences.

Learning experiences implemented with the use of ITCs would be of great benefit to students of the 21st century classroom. For example, from my current knowledge of ITCs, students could participate in individual or group activities to design and create their own robot, that would help them in their everyday life, or in a real world context. Implementing this topic would involve activities such as concept mapping, researching, discussions, visual representations, drawing by hand or by computer, calculating materials and costs, and then actually building the robot.

References:

Advanogy.com. (2007). Learning Styles Online: Free learning styles inventory, including graphical results. Accessed July 19, 2010 from http://www.learning-styles- online.com/inventory/

Marzano, R. J. & Pickering, D. J. (1997). Dimensions of learning: Teacher’s manual. Colorado, USA: Mid-continent Regional Education Laboratory.

McInerney, D. & McInerney, V. (2006). Educational Psychology: Constructing Learning (4th ED.). Australia. French Forest NSW Australia. Pearson Education.

Smith, R. & Knight, B. (2006). The Rise of the Learning Manager: Changing Teacher Education. French Forest NSW Australia. Pearson Education Australia.