 | Angela Houk |
Student learning is the goal of education. Aristotle is known for saying, “We learn by doing.” Active learning, experiential learning, and student-centered learning results in engaged students and are necessary for true student learning to take place. Learner-based instruction places the student at the center of the learning process where the student’s interests and learning styles are the focus. Active learners interact with the world around them and process information experientially. Experiential learning is an effective way to teach individuals with intellectual disabilities.
There are four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. Students learn best when their senses are involved in the process.
Visual learners acquire information through images, pictures, colors, maps, charts, diagrams, and visualization. Speaking and listening are the primary ways auditory learners obtain information. Tactile learners process information through touch while kinesthetic learners attain information through movement. Visual learning components may include pictures, video clips, spatial organization, mind maps, and colors that help the learner see visual connections and patterns. Two teaching strategies that engage visual learners include Graphic Organizers and Graffiti Boards.
Auditory students learn by listening and discussing. They typically enjoy working in small groups as this encourages verbal processing. However, auditory learners tend to be easily distracted by noise. Ways to incorporate auditory strategies include: oral presentations, peer tutoring, show and tell, and varying speech volume, speed, or tone. Two teaching strategies that engage auditory learners include 3-2-1 Response and Think-Pair-Share.
Tactile learning focuses on hands-on activities such as writing, drawing, painting, and creating clay sculptures. Two teaching strategies that engage tactile learners through writing include Know, Want to Know, Learned and Bio Poem.
Kinesthetic learners acquire information by experiencing the world around them through skits, hand motions, and full-body movement. Two teaching strategies that engage kinesthetic learners are Role Play and Gallery Walk.
Learner-based instruction actively engages students as it is not driven by the curriculum or the teacher’s preferences, but by the learner’s interests and needs, resulting in increased motivation, learning, and achievement. Learner-based instruction involves giving students choices in their educational process, allowing them to determine where and how to invest their time and effort, resulting in enhanced production. Teaching strategies that incorporate a student’s learning preferences through experiential learning processes are engaging learning environments. Utilizing multiple teaching strategies and teaching to multiple learning preferences within a class period will help to ensure that each student is actively engaged in the learning process. Learner-based instruction and experiential learning are the primary pedagogy used at Shepherds College, a post-secondary school for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you would like to learn more about Shepherds College visit, www.shepherdscollege.edu.
[To see Angela’s complete article, please click HERE]
There are four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. Students learn best when their senses are involved in the process.
Visual learners acquire information through images, pictures, colors, maps, charts, diagrams, and visualization. Speaking and listening are the primary ways auditory learners obtain information. Tactile learners process information through touch while kinesthetic learners attain information through movement. Visual learning components may include pictures, video clips, spatial organization, mind maps, and colors that help the learner see visual connections and patterns. Two teaching strategies that engage visual learners include Graphic Organizers and Graffiti Boards.
Auditory students learn by listening and discussing. They typically enjoy working in small groups as this encourages verbal processing. However, auditory learners tend to be easily distracted by noise. Ways to incorporate auditory strategies include: oral presentations, peer tutoring, show and tell, and varying speech volume, speed, or tone. Two teaching strategies that engage auditory learners include 3-2-1 Response and Think-Pair-Share.
Tactile learning focuses on hands-on activities such as writing, drawing, painting, and creating clay sculptures. Two teaching strategies that engage tactile learners through writing include Know, Want to Know, Learned and Bio Poem.
Kinesthetic learners acquire information by experiencing the world around them through skits, hand motions, and full-body movement. Two teaching strategies that engage kinesthetic learners are Role Play and Gallery Walk.
Learner-based instruction actively engages students as it is not driven by the curriculum or the teacher’s preferences, but by the learner’s interests and needs, resulting in increased motivation, learning, and achievement. Learner-based instruction involves giving students choices in their educational process, allowing them to determine where and how to invest their time and effort, resulting in enhanced production. Teaching strategies that incorporate a student’s learning preferences through experiential learning processes are engaging learning environments. Utilizing multiple teaching strategies and teaching to multiple learning preferences within a class period will help to ensure that each student is actively engaged in the learning process. Learner-based instruction and experiential learning are the primary pedagogy used at Shepherds College, a post-secondary school for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you would like to learn more about Shepherds College visit, www.shepherdscollege.edu.
[To see Angela’s complete article, please click HERE]
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