Age of Ex has not only been a class that has helped me expand my ideas about presenting but also about different ways of learning. Throughout my time as a student, I have not only been able to learn in different ways but also find out more about different learning styles. Learning styles are defined as the way people are able to process information. Everyone is able to take in information differently whether that is visually, aurally, physically, logically, socially, or solitarily. People have different techniques that help them educate themselves better. Some people may find that one learning style works the best, while others may use many different styles depending on the situation. There is no right or wrong technique and as time goes on you may find that your learning styles will start to change.
Visual learners rely on their eyesight and learn better by seeing images and watching the approach. Aural learners rely on their hearing and learn better by listening to the instruction’s and information given. Physical learners rely on their bodies to help them learn by actually carrying out a physical activity. Logical learners rely on their brains for logical and mathematical reasoning. Social learners learn better in groups while solitary learners learn better alone.
Because everyone learns differently it is hard for every student to understand the information at the same time. The majority of schools are unable to teach using all the different learning styles, thus making it harder for some students to learn. Personally, I am a visual learner and I am able to take in more information when it is already written out and I can see it. I also become more interested in the topic when there are images to look at. I believe that by teachers understanding their students learning styles, it can improve the child’s interest in the subject. Some students may be having difficulty in school not because they are not smart but maybe because the way the information is being presented does not adhere to the child’s style of learning. Trying other methods of learning can prevent the student from being frustrated and feeling inadequate.
By writing this I began to wonder how school life would be different if there were different classes that focused on each learning style. Would students be ‘smarter’? The majority of children wouldn’t say that they love going to school but maybe by expanding teaching styles school might become a more enjoyable place.
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Citations:
http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/
http://mrhackman.blogspot.com/2010/10/age-instead-of-readiness.html
The Age of Exploration Blog 
Carey Pohanka
October 1, 2012
I am a teacher and I did a learning styles survey with my students as part of a grad school project. It was such an eye opener for me! I had students who fell in each category and yet when I really looked at my lesson plans, I wasn’t necessarily hitting more than a few each day. I myself am a kinesthetic or physical learner. I tended to use techniques that fell under that category probably because those work for me. I think it is important to know your own styles so you can do things differently if you need to. My own son listens to the audio version of a book while reading the pages because he is auditory and that makes it stick better for him. For you, I would think that making diagrams or even just doodles about the book would help it stick for you. Fascinating topic! I love studying how the brain works. Things that seem accidental or random really aren’t. 🙂
emi360
October 2, 2012
Yeah, I think it is amazing how different people actually are, even if they all carry out the same everyday activities. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
William Chamberlain (@wmchamberlain)
October 2, 2012
I think the problem is we expect the teachers/schools to address all styles when that is rarley possible. I try to help my students identify how they learn best and give them tools they can use. Learning styles won’t be addressed in many classrooms, and outside of school the need to learn is still present. It seems to me we need to help students learn how to learn.
emi360
October 2, 2012
I understand where you are coming from but I don’t think we really expect much. I know that it is not realistic to have all learning styles be addressed but Teacher’s are the ones who get to decide how they want to teach. We, students, don’t have much to say because we aren’t the higher authority and don’t feel comfortable telling our teachers that what they are doing is not working. Some teachers are really set on one teaching method, but if they could be more open to expanding the way they teach, it could help the students greatly.
kirstenkelly
October 2, 2012
I like your question…would students be smarter? I think the “smarts” are there. As teachers we just try to provide opportunities for everyone to get a chance to shine. Have a great school year and.keep blogging!
emi360
October 2, 2012
Yeah, that’s a good point. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
rverstandig
October 4, 2012
hi emi360,
I really liked your thoughts about how school approaches students with different learning styles. I think your completely right with the idea that if schools divided students into classes that was specified to their learning styles, kids would be more likely to enjoy learning and attending school. I am also a visual learner and it is difficult for me to process information if it is not written out for me and I don’t have pictures to see as examples. So I often become flustered when teachers don’t write out their directions and just deliver their lesson orally. My schooling experience and I’m sure that of others would be much more relaxed and accepted if it were targeted to students prefered way of learning.
emi360
October 4, 2012
Thanks. I’m really happy that you understood and enjoyed the point that I was trying to get across.