Then respond to the following scaffolded reflection questions:
- What is your learning style? What sorts of learning experiences would suit you best with your learning style?
Looking at the results I would certainly agree. I remember what I see - pictures, demonstrations, films, You tube clip. I remember what i read and write. The use of concept maps for study, with bright colours, words, pictures and lines with arrows between the concepts to show connections, works best for me. The use of colour coded notes, with the highlighted important points helps. I understand information best when I see it!!
2. In a traditional classroom of 25 students, how would you support the range of learning styles each lesson?
Auditory learners
Visual learners
Kinaesthetic learners
I would hope to strive for a balance of instructional methods, rather than try to teach each student his or her exclusive preference. We all borrow a little bit from all the styles to learn about the world around us. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix and your style isnt fixed. You could develop ability in less dominant styles as well as further develop styles that you already use well.
Some variations that may be utilised in the classroom include:
demonstrating a procedure or task, leading a student to self discovery by encouraging internet searches for research topics. Focus on reflections and deeper learning via a blog or the use of memory and understanding via activities found on the internet.
3. With your current knowledge of ICT, how could your design and digital pedagogy support your learners better?
By combining my knowledge of "design and digital pedagogy support", I would hope to combine my understanding of the learner, with the appropriate content, (using the curriculum as a guide), delivered in a way that resonates with the learner, covering a wide variety of learning styles, using technology as a tool.
I would start by answering my "8 Learning management questions", under the three different phases of profiling, delivering and assessing.
Keeping in mind the content, I would then set about using ICT that would best suit a variety of learning styles.
To start with, How to use a laptop, ipad? How to hold and move a mouse??
Look at individual research projects or group work projects, social networking via blogs, forum discussion boards, e messages, emails.
The individual use of ipads, mobile phones, notebooks, laptops to access information for relevant assignments or tasks set.
There are so many sites to access video clips, music, images, colour graphs, data, podcasts, you tube clips, all can be used for presentations.
4. What sorts of profiling questions would you be asking about your learners to ensure you cater for everyone's preferences?
What does my learner already know?
Where does my learner need to be?
How does my learner best learn?
5. How does ICT support differences in learning styles?
ICT's can cover such a braod range of learning styles, that all learners can be catered for. The technology is there to investigate, research, quantify, debate, post onto a forum for open social comment or discussion. This was never the case such a short time ago.
I see ICT's as another tool in our kits, that allow learners to construct their understandings of the world. Students can now access information independantly in a way that suits their learning style, hence directing their own learning. So maybe our role of being a teacher / instructor of knowledge might change to that of a facilitator in the learning process.
ICT's can provide teachers with tools to assist students with understanding their learning preferences and help them to identify their own strengths. Finally, once the individuals learning objectives are determined, consideration could be given to the learning style, which would best stimulate learning. The use of technology just accomodates this selection of learning style, that I as a teacher would consider.
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