School started with a bang last Tuesday with about 8,000 students passing through our doors. At the same time, about another 800 started their homeschooling as part of our Connections program. I visited 8 schools last week and as always, was amazed at the wide range of learning environments that our students experience. Classrooms next to one another seemed to be completely different, while the difference in schools was, as expected, pronounced. Driving back to the office I had to chuckle when I thought about all the attention that is given to instruction and students’ learning styles. We seem to offer it all.
Recently, I read a summary of research on the brain and learning. The article makes the point that while brains do respond better to certain types of instruction, it is wrong to assume that a student can only thrive within that one preferred learning environment. I know that I think in pictures and that when I taught, I drew pictures to accompany my speaking or class discussion. I also know that I learn by sitting and listening and through old fashioned reading. The gist of the article is that we must train students to learn in multiple ways and not limit them to just one style of instruction. To be successful in life requires our brains to contain the wiring that responds to a variety of instructional modes. After watching our teachers in action, it is clear that we are doing pretty well in offering this variety.
More than one learning style
School started with a bang last Tuesday with about 8,000 students passing through our doors. At the same time, about another 800 started their homeschooling as part of our Connections program. I visited 8 schools last week and as always, was amazed at the wide range of learning environments that our students experience. Classrooms next to one another seemed to be completely different, while the difference in schools was, as expected, pronounced. Driving back to the office I had to chuckle when I thought about all the attention that is given to instruction and students’ learning styles. We seem to offer it all.
Recently, I read a summary of research on the brain and learning. The article makes the point that while brains do respond better to certain types of instruction, it is wrong to assume that a student can only thrive within that one preferred learning environment. I know that I think in pictures and that when I taught, I drew pictures to accompany my speaking or class discussion. I also know that I learn by sitting and listening and through old fashioned reading. The gist of the article is that we must train students to learn in multiple ways and not limit them to just one style of instruction. To be successful in life requires our brains to contain the wiring that responds to a variety of instructional modes. After watching our teachers in action, it is clear that we are doing pretty well in offering this variety.