Learning Styles and Education

‘Learning style’ is an individual's (in our case, a child’s) natural or habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in learning situations. A core concept is that individuals (children) differ in how they learn.

As educators we have recognized the different ability ranges of our pupils even when they are of the same age. This differences are owed to the different learning styles of children. This does not mean that a child will have only one learning style or can only comprehend by one learning style only.

What this means is  that every child has a mix of learning styles and the uniqueness of each child is in bedded in the combination of the different learning styles they posses and also the style that is the most prominent for the child.

There is no standard ratio of learning styles for children, neither is there a fixed learning style. Children can upgrade their less dominant learning styles, understand and use more effectively the predominant one.

The use of multiple learning styles is a relatively concept new in education, especially here in Nigeria. As educators in Nigeria are walking away from the traditional “one- size- fit –all” approach to learning. In the "one-size-fit-all" approach teachers are more like lecturers since they force their researched and most times acquired knowledge on a specific topic down the throat of these “poor” children. Most times in the traditional setting there is little or no input from children.

This method does not only limit learning range, but also relies on rigid assessments to check for pupil understanding. In turn, pupils whose learning styles are less favoured by this system will not do too well thus are labeled as lower achievers, below grade level etc.

Identifying the various learning styles of pupils, educators like myself will prepare lessons that will reflect and address the different learning styles of our pupils, which enables every child in the class go home having learnt a thing or two.

Below are the basic learning styles of pupils (there are various learning styles but for the purpose of education we use the three below)

1.    Visual

Thank God for the information age we are in, now visual learners are well taken care of. These pupils learn through images, videos etc. For their learning to make sense they need to be able to see, visualize and illustrate their knowledge skills and concepts. Visual learning characteristics include:

·        remembering visual details

·        enjoy tutorial and pictorials

·        love writing long notes

·        scribble a lot

·        see them demonstrated.

·        Fascinated by  movies or short clips

Note:  for the visual learner seeing is believing.

2.Auditory

These are pupils that learn through listening to what others have to say and talking about what they have learnt.

They often:

·        remember information by explaining and speaking

·        need to have things explained orally

·        they will rather you read a book and retell them the story

·        they answer questions a lot

·        they think aloud

·        Enjoy discussion groups they rarely work alone.

Note: auditory learners might look like they’re not paying attention when you talk to them. Also they are the most likely to change the course of your lesson with questions.

2.    Tactile (Kinesthetic)

These pupils are the “doers”. They are always an integral part of the class.  Kinesthetic learners:

·        Want to practicalize whatever they study

·        like to move around  a lot

·        often make gestures when they speak

·        they learn with the five senses thus they like to feel, see, smell, hear and sometimes taste( where it is not harmful )

·        they remember by going through pervious processes

Note: These types of learners can be misdiagnosed as ADHD or troublemakers because the more traditional visual or auditory learning styles most often are not their cup of tea and are usually very energetic.

 

If you want to know your learning style or that of your child click on the link below to fill out  an online questionnaire. 

http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

I am a mélange of the three but I am predominately an auditory learner. What is your learning style(s). my fingers are crossed, i can't wait to hear and know your learning styles.

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Have a great week

Special Education Needs

Wow its 2 WEEKS already! The hustle and bustle in Lagos is impossible. I literally slept and woke up 2 weeks later. I do apologize; I did say I was likely to post more frequently.

Enough of my rambling already!



I literally slept and woke up two weeks later

Last week was the first week of school and since Tuesday 14^th January was a public holiday, we had only four days of school.Revision of last term’s work was ongoing till Friday. It was centered predominately on the past examinations as class teachers went through the examination questions with their pupils (I am no more a class teacher.)

last week was the first week of school

As the Special Education Needs (S.E.N) teacher, I went round all the classes and administered diagnostic assessments for my pupils that will need my attention (for now it is mostly reading interventions for pupils reading below year level standards).  I conducted these tests to enable me know their abilities and area of challenges. Also these tests will serve as my benchmark, since I will give the same test at the end of the term.
 


The comparison of the entry and exit assessment will tell me if the pupil has profited from the intervention program. Most important, at the end of the term it will be a part of my portfolio. When I am reviewing my practices I will assess if certain practices, methodology, books etc. helped my pupils or not; where they did, I will find ways to get them to work even better and in cases where they did not I will research on other best practices for reading interventions.

Oh yes I forgot to explain my job as a SEN teacher. As you know, education is by age and ability. Thus the capabilities of children even of the same age are different. One major contributing factor in the differences in aptitudes is the diverse learning styles of child (also their birthdays). It is also important to know that one of the major factors of class placement is age.



 A typical year 1 class will have predominately 5 year olds but they will not be at the same level due to many factors. As the SEN teacher I come in to bring the up-and-coming pupils to make year level standards. You may be wondering what will happen to the year level and above year level abilities? Usually the class teacher with his or her differentiated instruction will help pupils in that ability bracket.


 

That’s all for last week, I promise to do an in-depth piece on the learning styles of children and differentiating instruction.

P.S I WILL BE POSTING ON FRIDAY EVENINGS TO ENABLE YOU HAVE A FEEL OF MY WEEK’S ACTIVITES(MONDAY TO FRIDAY)
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That will be all for this week!

See you next week.

Not Your Average Nigerian Teacher

This is my first post, so it is only proper that before we set the ball rolling, I should let you know what “Not your average Nigerian Teacher” (I know it’s a mouthful for a blog name) is all about.

I am Tope Akintunde, a passionate teacher. The popularity of blogs in Nigeria and the world as whole is tremendous and the response to blogs is equally staggering. And I want  to use blogging as a medium to rub minds with fabulous people (like you) and share my opinions on matters bothering on education. I have come across Nigerian blogs on many subjects. But was shocked that blogs on education or education related genre are almost nonexistent.  Thus “Not Your Average Nigerian Teacher”

“Not your average Nigerian Teacher” will chronicle not only  my experiences in my day  to  day teaching adventures,  but also my views on various educational and parenting topics ( oh yea!!! I forgot to add, I am the mum of three ADORABLE girls) and sometimes other issues that will be seasoned with a pinch of the all purpose educational salt.

I have been a teacher for four years. These four years have been nothing short of amazing, I am literally like a kid in a candy store. All I see are possibilities gift wrapped in challenges. I am looking forward to many fab years as an educator (but I dread the nickname mummy teacher)

Now you are wondering why “not your average Nigerian teacher (DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT INSINUATING THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AVERAGE NIGERIAN TEACHER)

                                                I am a Nigerian teacher by location

I am a Nigerian teacher by location but a teacher without borders through and through in my practices. Truthfully, one of the main reasons for coining this paragraph as my blog name was because I thought it was fabulous (you are smiling, so you agree with me). In the course of this journey you will find out if I  am more or less “Not Your Average Nigerian Teacher”

Diving right into it, as this is  my first post and also a new Year ( Happy New to you) I will start with my new year action points  ( I use to call them resolutions until I realized I never really do any of the things I list out)

I am going to have three teacholutuons (and yes I just coined my own word “teacholutions”)

•     To be more active on my blog ( I am usually not too ……. For my lack of a proper word “consistent” sometimes)
•      To read more teacher and education  related blogs and less fashion blogs (a hate to read less of them though , being a fab teachie teacher * wink *wink)
•      To read the second teacholution.

Have a Teachtastic 2014 and don’t forget to leave your comments below.

 See you next week (maybe earlier)