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Homework Help That Makes A Difference
Did you know that we all have different ways that we process information? Did you know that everyone has eight different types of intelligence? Learning styles and multiple intelligences will help you understand how you and your kids process information and learn differently. Knowing and understanding how learning is processed will improve the way you help your kids with homework, and make homework time more meaningful and pleasant for everyone.
Learning Styles is a model for learning that was developed by Dr. Richard Felder and Dr. Linda Silverman, both currently professors at North Carolina State University. It was originally developed for students that studied engineering and science, but is now used throughout a wide range of studies.
There are three learning styles. Everyone has all three but one is more dominant than the other two. They are visual, audio, and kinesthetic.
Visual Learners:
• Learn through seeing
• Think in terms of pictures
• Need visual displays such as handouts, videos, diagrams, graphic organizers, etc.
• Prefer to take detailed notes during classroom lecturers or discussions
• Prefer to sit in the front so that their view is not obstructed
• Need to see body language and visual expressions
Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instruction (NLT)*
Audio Learners:
• Learn best through listening
• Prefer verbal lectures and instruction
• Like discussion and talking things through
• Read out loud because written information has no meaning until it is heard
• Listen to tone of voice, pitch and speed of speech
Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge (NLT)
Kinesthetic Learners
• Learn best through hands-on approach
• Actively explore the physical world around them
• May find it hard to sit still for a long period of time
• Become distracted by the need to move and explore
• Must touch, move and do to learn
Hebrews 6:3 And so God willing, we will move forward to further understanding (NLT)
Learning Styles
Learning styles are the way we learn and make meaning of learning. Most people are visual learners. Listed are some tips for each learning style that you can use to help your child. Remember that God has given all of us all three, so you may want to pull ideas from a couple of areas.
Visual Learner Tips:
• Use graphic organizers, charts and pictures to grasp concepts.
• Make homework fun by drawing pictures of concepts
• Use lots of color and allow them to scribble down ideas as they come
• Help kids write a story by illustrating it
• Use computers and videos
• Highlight important information
Auditory Learner Tips:
• Participate in class discussions or debates
• Use tape recorders instead of notes
• Read aloud to grasp concepts
• Create mnemonics poems and songs to help with memory
• Tell stories
• Discuss ideas with others
Kinesthetic Learner Tips:
• Take frequent breaks
• Learn while moving
• Work while standing
• Listen to music while you study
• Chew gum
• Use bright colors to highlight
• Read the main titles before sitting down to read in detail
To obtain a free analysis of your learning style:
1. Google the name Richard Felder
2. Go to the Learning Styles articles and columns by Richard Felder and click on it
3. Click on Index of Learning Styles and answer the 44 questions
4. You will receive a free analysis on your learning style. Don’t forget to print out the explanation of the analysis. Or if your find it easier to type in the address, it is: http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Learning_Styles.html
Multiple Intelligences was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner, currently a professor in education and psychology at Harvard University. Gardner questioned the idea that there is only one kind of intelligence that can be measured by an IQ test. His contribution to the field of education and psychology has caused educators to rethink the way that they teach and students learn. Once again, God has equipped us with all of these areas of intelligences, some are more dominate than others.
Multiple intelligences demonstrate intellectual ability.
They are:
• Visual/Spatial- Ability to perceive the visual, think in pictures and create vivid images to retain information
• Verbal/Linguistic-Ability to use words and language. Highly developed auditory skills. Think in words rather than pictures.
• Logical/Mathematical-Ability to use reason logic and numbers. Think conceptually to make connections between information
• Bodily/Kinesthetic-Ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully
• Musical/Rhythmic-Ability to produce and appreciate music. Immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticizing what they hear
• Interpersonal-Ability to relate and understand others. See things from others point of view
• Intrapersonal-Ability to self-reflect. Try to understand inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, strengths and weaknesses
• Naturalist-Ability to recognize, categorize, and draw upon certain features of the environment and the surroundings of nature to learn.
Identifying learning styles and multiple intelligences is fun and easy for your kids and for you to discover. It helps to understand why some of us can work with music blasting, while others need complete silence. So, the next time one of your kids is reading aloud, another is sympathizing with a friend on the phone and another one is dancing around the house, just chalk it up to learning styles and multiple intelligences. I did not find a free website to analyze multiple intelligences, but listed in the reference section is a website where you can complete a questionnaire and receive a multiple intelligence analysis for a fee.
Article courtesy Sharon Price
Director of Student Support Services
Brookwood School District 167
Glenwood, Illinois
References
www.LdPride.net
Teaching with the brain in mind-Eric Jensen 2nd edition
Multiple intelligences in the classroom-Thomas Armstrong 2nd edition
www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
*New Living Translation
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