The idea of there being specific learning styles by which students learn is coming under fire. For years there has been the idea that we learn either visually, aurally, or kinetically. However recently some scientists have proposed the idea of multiple intelligence's. in this theory there are nine different intelligence's that people have. Rather than focusing on how a person learns, the stress how a person see and processes information and works on the idea that any subject can be taught through more than one method.
My MI evaluation showed my top three intelligences as musical, mathematics/logic, and naturalist, so my picasso head portrait incorporates musical notes, a fish and an infinity symbol.
I feel that anyone can learn anything, and while there is more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak, some ways are better than others. you cant learn about the civil war by leading an uprising, but you will never learn to hit a field goal without going out and actually kicking some footballs.
Since human intelligence is based mainly on pattern recognition, the key is to find how to present the patterns to the students. Many of the MI classifications suggest spreadsheet or powerpoint style presentations to facilitate learning and pattern recognition.
I agree with your comment that anyone can learn anything. We are all humans, the most intelligent species on the planet. We shouldn't limit our abilities because someone says that you learn best visually, for example.
ReplyDeleteI like how you referenced that can’t learn how to kick a field goal without actually going out and practicing. I do agree that everyone can learn something and it has more to do with the material as to which learning style you should cater to more. I never thought about the pattern outlook on education. It is true we learn in patterns and repetitions. I found it very interesting that you mentioned this.
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