GROUP 4:

CHRISTINA HUDMANCHELSEA MARTIN

CARA WHITELY

The Way They Learn: How to Discover and Teach to your

Child’s StrengthsBy Cynthia Ulrich Tobias

Chapter 1: What is a Learning Style?

General Guidelines for Identifying Learning Styles:

1. Observe behavior patterns2. Listen to how a person communicates so

that you understand how to speak to them3. Experiment to see what works and what

does not work4. Focus on strengths rather than weaknesses

Chapter 2: What Style Are You?

Gregorc’s Model of Learning StylesPoints of View:Concrete Perception: Information registration

through the senses, what is tangible.Abstract Perception: Allows what is not seen

to be visualized.Ordering:Sequential: Characterized by a linear patternRandom: Organized in no particular sequence

Concrete Sequential (CS)

Hardworking Conventional Accurate Stable Dependable Consistent Factual Organized

Abstract Sequential

o Analytico Objectiveo Knowledgeableo Thorougho Structuredo Logicalo Deliberateo Systematic

Abstract Random (AR)

o Sensitiveo Compassionateo Perceptiveo Imaginativeo Idealistico Sentimentalo Spontaneouso Flexible

Concrete Random (CR)

o Quicko Intuitiveo Curiouso Realistico Creativeo Innovativeo Instinctiveo Adventurous

Chapter 3: Dominant Concrete Sequential Learners

Sees things in a straightforward fashion.Parents more likely to expect a yes or no

response, to expect obedience without question, and to get frustrated with having to repeat themselves.

Children are more likely to be very organized, to ask for clarification repeatedly, and to thrive on consistency.

Successful in creating stability in the lives of their families.

Ten Commandments for Getting Along with a CS

Thou Shalt:1. Be consistent2. Be organized3. Practice common sense4. Pull your own weight5. Remember I have feelings, too6. Give advance notice so I can prepare myself7. Follow instructions8. Tell me what you want9. Take responsibility for your actions10. Not deal in generalities

Chapter 4: The Dominant Abstract Sequential Learning Style

Adult: Must always look at all options Constantly evaluating their options and decisions, even after the decision has been

made. Deliberate every aspect of their lives and look at every possibility using every resource.Parent: Finds it difficult when children cannot explain themselves and are not being logical. Forgets the child is not on the same level as them and does not have the same state of

mind. Always asks a million questions “Why? Who? What? When? How?”As Child: Extremely dedicated to work May only choose to participate in what they are good at. Have a difficult time coping when they do not succeed. Need a great deal of time to complete assignments. Hold themselves to a higher standard than anyone else. Can come across as perfectionists.

Ten Commandments for Getting Along With an A.S.

Thou Shalt:

1.Have specific goals when dealing with me.2.Use logic and reason.3.Listen to what I have to say.4.Give me a job, leave me alone, and let me do it.5.Be complete and thorough.6.Be deliberate.7.Keep issues factual.8.Give me time to research projects for the best

approach.9.Make certain I understand the purpose of the project.10.Don’t expect immediate response – I need time to

think and research.

Chapter 5: The Dominant Abstract Random (AR) Learning Style

Adult: Extremely understanding of others. Always considerate. Do not like confrontation. Use both verbal and nonverbal communications. Very sensitive. Want to please everyone in his or her life Do not think personal belongings matter. Believe family and friends are top priority.Parent: Believe their family’s personal needs come before anything else. The home life may be a little less structured because they avoid conflict and want to please their children. Do not always implement the rules unless it is completely necessary.Child: Thoughful Constantly doing things for others Caring Sensitive Appreciative Sometimes may feel hurt if peers or adults do not pay special attention to them or do not notice changes in

their lives Need support and confirmation from others and need to feel wanted.

Ten Commandments for Getting Along with ARs

Thou Shalt:

1.Give me the opportunity to help others.2.Give me feedback (positive/negative)-where do I stand?3.Not be so serious4.Not nit-pick5.Remember, I will get things done – even if it’s not your

way.6.Don’t put me in the middle of conflict.7.Allow me to be spontaneous.8.Show appreciation.9.Don’t mistake a happy exterior for lack of intelligence10.Know that not all is written in stone.

Chapter 6: The Dominant Concrete Random (CR) Learning Style

Adult: Curious and very unpredictable in every aspect of their lives Make it a point not to follow the rules and to be different Can be told time and time again that something will not work but will not

believe it unless they experience it for themselves Goal is to stand out and to be differentParent: Stubborn and passionate about their beliefs Most of the time, these parents are so passionate, they will not give in during

an argument. Involved in their children’s lives and stay aware of what is going on.Child: Very imaginative Inquisitive Does not like school, and it can be difficult at times to keep them interested

in assignments Adults have to be careful how they talk about CRs because these children

have a tendency to twist words around to their own benefit Have a difficult time adjusting to a structured environment and daily routine

because they have such a free spirit.

Ten Commandments for Getting Along with a CR

Thou Shalt:

1.Tell me “what” not “how”2.Point me in the right direction, then let me go.3.Be flexible4.Tell me what I did right, not what I did wrong5.Know your limits – then push them6.Don’t be threatened by enthusiasm7.Be open to change8.Have a sense of humor9.Keep me involved (we need responsibility and input)10.Why do we need then?

Chapter 7: How do we Concentrate?

Dealt with the different ways people concentrate

How parents can help their children and identify those different preferences.

Environmental Preferences

NoiseLightingTemperatureFoodLocation

Important point: Allow children to explore different studying

environmentsThe right studying situation is the one that works

best for the individual in question

Chapter 8: How do we Remember?

We use different combinations of our 5 senses called our sensory perception

3 different ways people remember things called modalities

Modalities:Auditory Visual Kinesthetic

Auditory Learners Learn by…

Listening to verbal instructionForming sounds of wordsReading aloudTalking to themselvesRepeating instructions or commandsPutting what they are learning to some

rhythm (song, poem, saying, etc.)

Visual Learners Learn by…

Seeing and watchingUsing strong visual associationsPicturing what they are learning, mentallyConcentrating on an image for each conceptDraw out an image

Visual Children:Are often accused of daydreaming or being lost in

thoughtShould use brightly colored folders or notebooks for

organization

Kinesthetic Learners Learn by:

Becoming physically involvedActually doing something with what’s being

learnedPut motion to what they’re learning

Kinesthetic children:Need multiple breaksAre often accused of being “fidgety” or a “wiggle

worm”

Important point: We can all learn but it comes to us in different ways.

Chapter 9: How Do We Understand?

The ways people understand what we have learned or what we have been taught

Each person takes in information differently which effects how we perceive the events experienced

Global or AnalyticalThe 2 ways people understand information

Global

Overall pictureDon’t worry about the detailsCan see many possibilitiesGood at working in groupsGood at seeing relationshipsGoof at reading body language

Analytical

OrganizedDetail orientedLike doing tasks in a step-by-step mannerLike to get things in on time

Important Point:Everyone has their own way of taking in

information, so find what works for you or the child in question

We are all taking in information differently

Chapter 10: How Many Ways Can We Be Smart?

Gardner’s Seven Multiple Intelligences1. Linguistic2. Logical-mathematical3. Spatial4. Musical5. Bodily-kinesthetic6. Interpersonal7. Intrapersonal

Chapter 11: Putting It All Together

5 Stages in Understanding Learning Styles:1. Awareness – having a better understanding of

yourself.

2. Opposite camps – feeling your learning style is better than others

3. Appreciation – coming to appreciate opposite learning styles

4. Excuses - involves using our learning styles as excuses

5. Style Flex – trying to change our natural learning style purposely

Insight

Learning styles can be confused with learning disabilities. Children whose learning styles do not match that of their learning environment can become frustrated. The most effective professionals look to make a balanced approach when dealing with different learning styles. It is important for us all to understand that people learn in different ways so that we can work to accommodate all learning styles. As a group of 3, we found that we do not all have the same dominant learning style. Think about how diverse the learning styles are in this classroom, this university, this state, this country!

Take-home message

People do not learn in the same ways. It is impossible to label everyone. People are complex, and although it can be difficult, we should try to understand how different we all are.

Recommendations for Practice

It is extremely important for teachers to understand that all humans are complex in the classroom. It can help children tremendously if the adults in their lives take the time to understand how they learn.

Children need help to succeed, and spending time and using patience to understand their students’ learning styles are the most important ways for teachers to help their students.