Learning styles
I had my class today at university for the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education and we touched on learning styles.
It is interesting how university education is now starting to embrace this concept. Years ago when I first learned about visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles, along with others, it was still considered a little ‘out there’. Now it is just starting to be incorporated into the curriculum.
There was a short discussion about how one could possible cover all learning styles with delivery in the average class situation and somebody even suggested that we make everybody learn a certain way! Isn’t that what is already happening in some respects?
I am left handed. I was very fortunate, as I went to a charming primary school that allowed me to write with my left hand, which is what comes naturally to me. However shortly before my time in first grade, some schools made left handed people write with their right hand, which to me seems rather barbaric! I have even heard of some people having their left hand tied behind their back! How can this be in any way effective to their learning?
Children and adults will take what they learn, in their own, way from the education system. It is up to us, as educators, to make it as appealing to as many learning styles as possible. Of course we cannot provide the perfect environment for all types of learners, all of the time, but we can, at least try to embrace all learning styles.
It is most important not to make anybody wrong because they favor a particular learning style. I hate to think what sort of anxiety or frustration having my left hand tied behind my back might have caused me!
I think it is important that we teach people in a way that is meaningful to them, whatever that is. The key here is flexibility. There will always be a variety of learning styles in any classroom situation; our challenge today is simply not to alienate any of them.
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