On Course Journal Entry 3

My learning style remains to be a tactile-kinesthetic learner. I’ve taken numerous learning style tests before and I always have the same results. This implies that I learn best when physically doing a project or activity. It does not mean that if I write items down I will not remember them, I will. My photographic memory is not off, but, it would stick better if I did projects hands-on. It helps to visualize the points I have read or are hearing about to get a better understanding of its background. Therefore, I enjoy creating ideas that will help learn by making displays as well as posters. I even play games to assist myself. While reading or listening to an instructor, I often shuffle my feet around or click my writing utensil. This helps

On the other hand the learning style I use the least is auditory. With auditory learners you learn best through hearing and listening. I can say I agree with this, honestly when it comes to lecture based classes I find myself thinking about something different or thinking how I can teach myself when I get home in a different way. Auditory learners like to listen, so when studying they read their flashcards or notes out loud versus me who has to see the card and try to think back of what I did with my hands that will help me remember

I have learned while in college that the best ways for me to learn are by being able to see or write down something because it is something that I can review and still be able to grasp the concept when it is needed for a test. This strategy was helpful when I was in my English and math class. The second thing that also helps is viewing models because there is something that is tangible which makes it so much easier for me to be able to learn this is the strategy that I used while in my biology. The help of peers has also helped me with my learning process as well because there is not as much pressure when going up and talking to the teacher about what is wrong.

There is an endless supply of knowledge out there in the world, and I am ready to take in as much as I can. Every time I learn something new, I see the world a little differently and interact with people on a new level. For instance, learning about nature or receiving new information about how living things function, helps me appreciate the life that I am living. I never find a class to be fruitless, even if it will not be the most practical subject in my life; I still treasure the information that I retain from it. Some people are content with knowing what they learn from their classes and going home and watching the television, but for me, learning does not stop when I leave the classroom. I read books at home, research topics discussed in class, and attempt to memorize pieces from my favorite poets. Learning is a never-ending, but delightful, process for

The first two chapters of “What the Best College Students Do” cover several topics. Throughout the chapters, the lives and experiences of different college students are explored. A reoccurring theme in the book is the concept of learning styles. Essentially, the three learning styles are memorization, comprehension, and strategy. According to the author, comprehension is the most effective style of learning. While everyone will possess one of these three learning styles, it is not impossible for someone to adjust to another style. Additionally, the author elaborates on academic ideas such as independence, grades, and outside influences.

While only having been at John Carroll University for a few months, my approach to learning has already drastically changed. Choosing a university to attend is one of the hardest decisions an eighteen-year old has to make. It essentially determines the course of your life and what you are going to do with it. However, even harder than that decision is being able to pursue the education and keep up with the studies that come with a degree. My learning expedition in college thus far has been an ever-changing one, particularly due to the realizations I have come to in the Honors Colloquium: Life of the Mind course this fall. Through the discussions of various scholars on learning, memory, and other similar subjects, in contrast to my previous

African American identity was established during the slavery period producing a dynamic culture that has had and continues to have a profound impact on American culture. According to research, African American culture developed separately from European American culture both slavery and the persistence of racial discrimination in America. African American slaves desire to create and maintain their own traditions. We

Through out history there has been a struggle for African Americans to be accepted in our society. An African American endures many more disadvantages than most white people. The media and other sources have made blacks to look the same and has portrayed them in a certain light that may not be fitting to all blacks. There are many misconceptions that people have of blacks. Many people and organizations have had a part in bringing equality and fighting for equal rights for black people.

To travel more smoothly along their educational journey, it is also helpful to students to have a good understanding of their personal learning style. For example, I have discovered that I learn best by reading, audio or demonstrational video. In sitting through a lecture, I find myself easily distracted by the presenter’s mannerism or style. Having good reading resources, listening to recorded lectures, or viewing technical videos allows me to productively maintain my focus. Others may not be as comfortable with reading, and would prefer learning in a live lecture environment. Knowing their learning style and using it to their advantage will provide the student with the assurance that they will learn productively and stay on track with their goals.

The fourth book I found about African American culture and identity is called Mr. Williams (Barbour, 2005). This book was a story about Mr. Williams and all of the stories from his childhood. Throughout the story, he described his living standards, work life, education life, and relationships he had with whites. As mentioned in the beginning of the story, Mr. Williams was born February 28, 1929 in Arcadia, Louisiana. This time frame was given to inform the reader that it was during slavery and the same year Martin Luther King Jr. was born. It helps the audience gain perspective on historical events that occurs, specifically before the Civil Rights Movement. There was never a timeline of events with specific conflicts and a solution in this

Although I did not know why, I understood that I was different from my peers; for most of my childhood the black experience for me was denying the ‘black’ part of my identity. That weird obsession for elementary school kids to differentiate between being black and African was very prevalent in my black peers, which led to the suppression of not only a pride in my culture, but of the desire to learn more about it. All throughout elementary school, I was not only aware that I was different from those I did not look like, but also from those that I did. This was the trend for most of my adolescence, but it was not until I arrived at the University of Texas at Austin, that I was able to stand unashamed of all parts of my identity. As I became more

As a result, college became the first place I began to question “Who am I?” and “What am I?”. My self-identity was in great question; outside of “Black” I lacked further explanation. I was confronted by individuals who boasted cultural and national identifies that held both ancestral and historical significance to them. At the time I could say I had none of this. I was introduced to the cultural lines from around the world but also within my own race. They defined themselves outside of just being Black, claiming titles such as African-American, Bajan, Liberian, and Nigerian. This gave me a new definition and confusion on what titles I should use to define my cultural status. I began seeing my cultural background as a minority within a minority because of the lack of representation of Black-Americans in higher education. As a result of this racial similarity yet cultural diversity, that began to become blatantly obvious, I chose to learn about my history and begin to answer the questions Rutgers University created. I took classes in histories from all areas of the African Diaspora, the political implications of being a minority, and ultimately majored in Africana Studies, History, and Political Science. It was through this pursuit for my roots I found pride in my own unique Blackness.

I have two learning styles that tied. It would be thinking and watching. I knew I was a visual learner but found more about myself that I have imagined. I learned that I like to think while learning and analyzing what is being taught. I am very much a visual learner, when I am in a classroom setting I need to see what we are doing not just a lecture. When its just a lecture my mind wanders and I do not get what was being taught. I only wished more instructors/teachers taught visually. I know this is a weakness of mine so I am going to work on this the best to my ability. This was a very awesome assignment to do I think it helps me understand myself better and I can also, understand others as well better.

things about people. I learned that there are many different cultures here in the state that i live in.

Personal learning styles are highly complex and unique to specific individuals. It is often difficult to pinpoint an exact learning style. Though there are different categories, we often fine tune them to our own abilities. By examining our traits and tendencies we create a clearer understanding of how we process and learn information. With careful review, I have developed a specific analysis of my learning characteristics, including an evaluation of skill levels. Based on what I have recently learned and know from experience, I have also devised a structured plan for improvement of time management and study skills.