Learning Styles

My top three learning styles include: social (interpersonal), language and self (intrapersonal) according to the BGFL Multiple Intelligence survey. Below I will describe what learning activities were helpful to me as a student. 

In school it was very helpful to me when the teacher had us turn to our neighbor and summarize something we just learned. I learned and remembered things more easily if I talked about and discussed the items with my classmates.

Thought logs were a favorite learning activity for me. I enjoyed being able to write about any topic that interested me. I liked spending time thinking on my own without anybody bothering me. Writing was very inspirational to me.

I did well on essay tests. I did a better job writing a descriptive, detailed account then I did on a multiple choice test. To prepare for an essay test I had to know the material. I remembered it as if it were a story in my head. For me stories were easier to tell then guessing which answer was correct.

In one class we did a debate. I enjoyed researching the information on my own. I liked it when our group came together and shared our research information. I liked working with the group to decide how we would approach presenting our information during the debate. In the debate I liked the discussion between the opposing sides and being able to support my side with facts.

I've always written notes as I read informational text. I also learned my spelling words by writing the words over and over. When I prepared for a project I listed everything I knew about the topic, I listed everything I wanted to learn and the questions that I had. When I wrote information  down on paper I felt like I understood it better and remember it longer.

I have always used journals to record my thought and feelings about what is happening in my life. Journal writing helped me to work through questions, figure things out and also helped me to remember the things I've done in my life. I enjoy the time I spend thinking and reflecting.

In school anything relating to music and keeping a beat didn't help me learn. Somehow I just could not understand how to keep a beat and I had no sense of rhythm.  When teachers wanted me to clap for each syllable in the word I couldn't sound it out. Each way I clapped sounded right to me. 

In music class I had trouble memorizing songs and I had no idea of how to keep a beat. I couldn't hear what other people heard. In my multiple intelligence test I scored one point in music.

When teaching our students we can't teach to each individual person's needs in a lesson. Instead our lessons should vary in learning style focus. Students retain more information if the teacher presents a variety of lessons addressing a different learning style per lesson.

Our focus should be one lesson addressing a specific learning style. The next lesson would address a different learning style. Our focus is for students to learn the materials and experience a variety of learning styles throughout the school year.

Studies have proven students which received instruction addressing a variety of learning styles out performed other students who hadn't experience a variety of learning experiences. Student who experienced all learning styles were able to correct their learning weaknesses, they were able to learn things in a variety of ways.

I thought the Silver Strong Associates teacher effectiveness information chart was very helpful. I'd like the principals at my schools to use the evaluation tool. I liked the idea the principals evaluation tool provided specific professional development materials that addressed the needs of the teacher.  After the teacher is evaluated the principal sends recommended professional development videos addressing the needs of the teacher.