Tips (more brain stuff)

Tips for Teachers

As a teacher, you should be aware that your students have a range of learning styles. Appeal to this diversity by using a variety of presentation, activity and assignment formats. Some possibilities include:

* enhance lectures and presentations with visual aids
* have students research and present material, in small groups or in plenary
* introduce content through discussion or problem-solving activities
* invite students to explore issues through roleplay
* assign practical hands-on activities, where possible
* take students on field trips to experience things first-hand.

Use your imagination! Lively and varied classes engage students and foster learning.

Tips for Learners

As a learner, an understanding of your learning style can help in the classroom and at home.

In the classroom:
If you have difficulty following a teacher's presentation of new material, ask if it can be presented in a way that appeals to your style. For example, if you are a visual learner, you may find it difficult to absorb content if the teacher just speaks. Approach your teacher and ask him/her to write key points on the board while they are talking.

At home:
When working independently to study for tests or complete assignments, you will find that you use your time more effectively if you use the strategies recommended for your style. For example, if you are an auditory learner, try recording summaries of notes you have taken from readings. To study, just sit back and listen...

Good luck!



Learning Styles Questionnaire
Barbara A. Soloman and Richard M. Felder of North Carolina State University present an online learning style inventory to help learners determine whether they are
active/reflective,
sensing/intuitive,
visual/verbal and
sequential/global


Related site (forward and backward links, used PNG's as my desktop):
http://adulted.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=adulted&cdn=education&tm=7&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.journale.com/really/brain.html

A questionaire:
http://adulted.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=adulted&cdn=education&tm=13&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

(I think this may be fluff, haven't used it yet):
http://www.maui.net/~jms/brainuse.html