End of Week 1

Wrap Up

From the reading this week, I learned that even though there is no valid research that proves the instruments [kaleidoscope, VARK, etc.] can acurately determine learning styles - knowing the theories and how to detect them is helpful. I recognize indications of my own learning styles from my responses in the forums and in daily life when I explain things or how I organize materials. Also I learned more about my personal learning style and multiple intelligences strengths and weaknesses. The VARK test seemed like it wasn't long enough to be accurate. What is the difference between e-learning courses and Computer Based Training? Is it just a new term for that?

The articles about the virtual classroom were especially interesting to me. One gave a great playbook on creating an e-learning course appealing to many different learning styles. Another ariticle talked about the possiblities of wireless devices in sync with the user's surroundings to help with things like directions. There are possibilities of misuse of that kind of technology are high. Most of the predictions in the article already exist in some form. I think knowing about different learning styles and using many different ones all at the same time will help me develop other kinds of projects like websites, posters, or even live presentations like tradeshows.

Week 1 - Learning Styles & Multiple Intelligences: Understanding Learner Differences/Needs

This Week

After answering the questions in the different checklists and surveys, most of the outcomes did not surprise me [it's like a tarrot card reading]. I scored high in Musical and Logical/Mathematical; lowest in Naturalist and Linguistic. The types of settings I can learn in are messy workshop/lab areas to experiment with or create examples of key points of a lesson [learning object]. Plenty of planning and monitoring before a project begins. Cleanup/organization is only neccessary before and after a project. I don't mind participating in a group project but prefer to work alone in most cases.

I think that is an accurate description of my dominant learning style. Sometimes I change the words to songs to burn into my brain what I'm learning. Organizing information in patterns or categories.

The Results are in . . .
Kaleidoscope Survey --
SENSORY STYLES
[2] 9 = visual
[3] 7 = auditory
[4] 6 = tactual
[1] 10 = kinesthetic
PERCEPTUAL & ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES
9 = global
9 = concrete
9 = abstract
4 = sequential
18 = abstract global
18 = concrete global
PERSONALITY STYLES
8 = sensing perceiving
6 = sensing judging
6 = intuitive feeling
11 = intuitive thinking
VARK --
I have a MULTIMODAL learning preference.
v = 6
a = 6
r = 5
k = 6
Multiple Intelligences Checklist --
[5] 8 = Interpersonal
[4] 10 = Intrapersonal
[2] 11 = Logical/ Methematical
[6] 5 = Linguistic
[7] 5 = Bodily/Kinesthetic
[3] 10 = Spaial
[1] 12 = Musical
[8] 4 = Naturalist

What does this all mean to me?

According to my answers, I learn best when in an informal group discussion centered around making decisions, planning for future issues, and experimenting with new ideas leaving room for spontaneity. Since my main learning style is musical, I learn best from interactive presentations or videos with visual/auditory cues emphasizing key points. Although I do not dislike learning in a naturalist or linguistic style, I think by creating an example of something and seeing the end result first helps me understand a subject best.

If I had to do research in a life or death situation [learning in-depth specifics of a subject], I would not use a musical style. No funny acronyms or role playing to figure something out.
Were your results similar to mine?