Professional Project Part A1

For years, there have been many theorists who have shared their views on how individuals learn. Such research has determined that individuals have different learning styles. It is important for teacher to understand the learning styles of both themselves and their students because it helps them to relay the subject knowledge to the students. The teacher is in a position where they must be able to assess the learning styles of their students. This means that the students and teachers are both in a process of learning.

This student’s preferred learning strategy compared to the learning strategy provided by V.A.R.K. is almost identical. The learning strategies that have been used throughout her education have always netted good results, which is evident by her grades. In the past other students have commented about her learning style and the amount of time spent on note taking, outlines, and writing out note cards, but she has perfected this process for her learning style.

It is practical to assume that students will do better in tasks that reflect their particular style of learning, so knowledge of students’ learning styles, including a variety of tasks will make teaching more inclusive. A learning style questionnaire could be handed out at the start of a course which, once completed will inform the teacher about the learning styles of the students.

i. Understanding the learners learning styles can make my course to be engaging. Flemming (1987) noted three different styles of learning; visual, kinaesthetic and aural. In order to know which method(s) to use to benefit my students the first lesson on my course will centre around discussions on what they already know, the resources they are familiar with, and a learning style questionnaire which will provide me with information on preferred learning styles. Effectiveness can also be enhanced if I adapt my teaching style to give maximum benefit to learners.

Personal Statement I’ve always kept an eye on social tensions around the world and although at a younger age I didn’t always fully understand the social injustices that were going and as I began to grow in age, my knowledge and understanding of what was going on around me not only in my community but also around the world also grew. I am a hard-working person,I'm friendly, kind, and can cope with social issues whatever the situation. I'm a team player but can also work independently and lead a team. I am able to bring a range of ideas when it come to teamwork or team leadership. I am able to display a calm, friendly attitude whatever the situation.

The beauty of mankind is that we are all unique in countless ways. We are all gifted with our own particular sets of skills, talents and interests. To state the overused cliché, we are all like snowflakes; no two people are exactly alike. I take comfort in the fact that no one can tell me exactly how to live my life solely based on the notion that it’s my life. I am my own person with my own personality, my own set of goals, and my own plans for the future.

“Just as students have different personalities, they also have different ways of learing (Slavin, 107).” Learning styles are another important factor to incorporate when implementing the best learning environment. Learning styles are defined as an individual's mode of gaining knowledge. The most common learning styles addressed are auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Auditory leaners understand information through hearing. Visual learners need more visual aids in the learning process, such as diagrams, webs, or pictures. Kinesthetic learners learn better by using manipulatives or by being physically involved in the learning process. Learning styles is a piece of the “backbone” of differentiated learning. Both are used to individualize instruction to help students achieve the most success.

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.

Learning styles and barriers to learning can be by the VARK to give a profile of learning preferences of how a person takes in and gives out information or Tidwell and Rodgers Practical learning styles Questionnaire. The VARK learning styles determines if the person learns by being a theorist, reflector, activist and/or pragmatist. The practical learning styles questionnaire looks at how people learn by their orientation, whether they are a realistic or creative, by their interaction, are they a doer or a thinker, by how they represent things, either by words or pictures, and how they process information, whether they are a surface or deep processor. There are many other

Knowing their particular learning styles(s) should encourage student/patient self-enhancement. It is also important for each individual be not only knowledgeable of their learning preferences but to practice other styles to enhance their learning abilities. It is believed this encourages well rounded education and learning.

I think this entire book is focused around the idea of differentiated instruction. I know that all my students will have different learning styles, so knowing that makes me side heavily with the ideas within this text. I think the idea within the text that impressed me the most was the classification of learning styles. I had never seen the learning styles portrayed the way this book described them. There are four learning styles: mastery, for learners who want to learn practical information and procedures; interpersonal, for learners who want to learn about things that affect people’s lives; understanding, for learners who want to use logic, debate, and inquiry to investigate ideas; self-expressive, for learning who want to use their imaginations to explore ideas. The text also talks about a fifth learning style, one that combines the four previously described all together. The way the idea of these four learning styles were described, made them make more sense to me than they ever have before. I would be extremely interested in continuing my knowledge of these learning styles. It would be great to get intimate enough with them that I could get to know a student and have an idea of what sort of learning style they

This assignment came to life because of the two theorists P. Honey and A. Mumford. They researched on how to put together a project in order to identify the learning styles. The starting point of this scheme was supported by the Kolb learning style inventory (LSI). Finally, they came up with the idea of a questionnaire. They gathered eighty questions together, containing four different learning styles along with characteristics of the person/s that might fit in. The image below represents the theory along with the learning styles produced.

Students learn through reading, thinking, writing, listening, note taking, observing, and by communicating with others. Within these common learning methods, there are three distinct types of learning styles (Brown, 1997): auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Each

I like to think collectively and as a team. I’m also very cooperative and I usually like to work in teams. Also I would say I’m highly adaptable. I have the required experience to adapt to the diverse cultures.

As a person I would describe myself as an organised, self-motivated and trusting person. I love to makes others around me laugh and enjoy seeing others smile. As an Assistant Principal of a primary school I often find myself faced with new and challenging situations where I need to think things through thoroughly to ensure all aspects are considered. I love to play sport and participate in any type of physical activity. I try to give new things a go as often as possible, I love learning new things. I come from a very sporting family, my uncle played AFL football for the Hawthorn Hawks. I have a passion for travelling and have lived in the United Kingdom for two year in the early 2000’s. I have visited many Asian countries and love spending time immersing myself in the culture of other nations. Part of my job has been to organise a study tour for students to travel to China and visit our sister school in Changzhou, an experience I look forward to each year. I love to cook and try new recipes as often as possible. I attempt many new recipes each week but love to make Bolognese. Personally I would like to be more creative in how I tackle things. Sometimes I can only see one solution and try to achieve it