Learning Styles Analysis

 

Interconnection

Research shows that students have preferences on how they learn best (Cherry, 2023). Knowing a student’s learning style may help them become interested and engaged in classroom learning (Cherry, 2023). It may also help students to develop new habits to help them with studying and self-help skills (Cherry, 2023).  Research suggests that if a student is engaged and interested to participate in learning, the greater the student learning and understanding will be.  

While it is important for students to receive instruction incorporating their learning style, it is equally important that students receive instruction that incorporates each learning style. Students may benefit from learning in a variety of styles. Incorporating several learning styles in lessons may increase engagement, which ultimately increases the students learning and understanding.  All students would benefit from lessons that incorporate higher order thinking, reading, social and emotional interactions as well as movements.

 

The Influence of Learning Styles on Planning

I believe that it is important that students receive instruction that allows them to experience learning in a variety of ways. Research shows that students learn best when they are engaged in their learning. The best way for them to become engaged, is for teachers to teach students in the way that they learn best.

Students who are auditory learners would greatly benefit from participating in classroom discussions, and listening to stories that are read aloud. It would not be helpful for these students to write down their spelling or sight words, rather, they should practice by speaking aloud.  Students A and B prefer this learning style.

Students who ate visual learners would benefit from posters around the classroom. They would benefit from notetaking and studying by reading notes or a book.  Instead of having these students read a book aloud, they would benefit from reading a book silently, and answering questions after they have read.  In class, these students would benefit from writing on the board or from slide shows. I do not have a student that prefers this learning style; however, this was each student’s second learning style preference.  

Lastly, students who are Kinesthetic learners need to move their bodies when learning. I may have these students use hand movements when singing a song. They could also act out a story as part of a major project. These activities would be more beneficial to these learners, rather than verbally explaining what they learned.  Student C prefers this method of learning.

Changes to Instruction Based on Student Strengths, Interests and Needs

Instruction requires that teachers take their students strengths, interests and needs into account during the planning process.  Some lessons need to be changed so that students are stretched to their best potential during the learning process (McCarthy, 2018).  Students will often decide if a lesson is interesting based on the relationship to real-life (McCarthy, 2018). 

One way to determine students' interests is by asking students what they do in their free time, or what they enjoy doing after school (McCarthy, 2018). By finding out what is important to the student, those themes, questions, or activities can be built into the lessons, such as reading a book about that topic, or writing an essay about how to do a certain activity.

This week, I learned that Student A enjoys cooking, so I had her read a recipe, and actually cook it in her kitchen.  She also prefers girlish type books, so I allowed her to choose books to read aloud based on her preference.  I also learned that Student B will be re-decorating her bedroom, so I planned an activity around that interest. I asked Student C what he enjoys doing at home, and he gave me a list of ideas. I chose one of those topics for him to write an essay on.

One change that I would like to make for Student C is having him act out his essay before writing down his ideas.

 

Addressing Learning Styles in Assessments

All students learn in different ways; therefore, the way they tell us what they learn may vary as well.  One way to accommodate learners with different learning styles is to create a choice board. The students are able to choose 1 activity to do that allows them to show what they have learned in a way that they enjoy and understand.

A visual learner may find it interesting and engaging to show what they learned by drawing a poster, creating a slide show, or by creating a brochure or hand-out (Malvik, 2020).

An Auditory Learner may prefer to create a video, create an interview or recite a speech (Malvik, 2020).

A Kinesthetic Learner may prefer that their learning be assessed through the creation and presentation of a short skit or by creating and singing a song with movements (Malvik, 2020).

 

References

Cherry, K. (2020, November 23). Learning style inventory types and their uses. VeryWellMind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-learning-style-inventory-2795159

Malvik, C. (2020, August 17). 4 types of learning styles: How to accommodate a diverse group of students. Rasmussen University. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/types-of-learning-styles/

McCarthy, J. (2018, April 11). Student-centered planning. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/student-centered-planning