Running head: LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

Learning Styles Inventory Josh Borders Ivy Tech Community College Central Indiana

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

According to the VARK website and the subsequent inventory questionnaire, I am most effectively learn by Aural/Auditory and Kinesthetic methods of teaching. What this means is that I learn best when I am able to talk through or discuss aloud what I am being taught. Also, I excel more when I am able to apply what I am learning to real life and be able to experience or practice these techniques. Throughout my school career, I have always performed best when my classroom teacher used interactive methods to reach me. Although the numbers in my VARK inventory do not necessarily reflect it, I do enjoy learning through visual cues and reading/writing methods. However, I must admit that these are not my most utilized nor effective styles of learning, but many students do learn best within these styles so teachers must find ways to incorporate them into their lessons. It is important for educators to realize and accept that there are multitudes of learning style and intelligences that they will come in contact with and they must work hard to reach each student in whatever style allows them to perform to the best of their abilities. Taking into consideration the wide array of intelligences that different people possess is a great way to open a teachers classroom to all students who will call it home each year. If, as educators, we do our very best to reach each individual type of intelligence (linguistic, logicalmathematical, musical, spatial, etc.), our schools can become a place for all students to excel, rather than a select few. It is important to keep in mind that each student may possess many or all intelligences, but no two individuals will have the same intelligence profile. Intelligence profiles are the particular combinations of intelligences related to that persons strengths and weaknesses in regard to learning. Even though a teachers method of instruction may cover all of the standards that are required for that grade level, it is essential for the whole classroom to benefit from the lesson. To

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

accomplish this, educators must have plenty of variation within their lesson to make sure that all learning styles are appeased. If one student learns best by visual learning and another student learns better with a hands-on approach, then the teacher must develop their curriculum to fulfill each of these needs in one single lesson. I feel that is where the new age of educators has a distinct advantage, because we have not fallen into any kind of routine or rut in our instruction method. In essence, the younger generation will be a marketable asset to any school because we can easily adopt new strategies without having to completely revamp our teaching styles. In conclusion, it is of the utmost importance that the student be the focal point of the whole idea of learning styles and multiple intelligences. The students must be placed in a setting where they can truly express themselves and learn to their maximum potential. Even though the educators role in this process is extremely pivotal, the students are the reason teachers get out of bed in the morning. If the student feels that the days lesson is geared specifically for them, then they will be more likely to engage in the discussions, readings, or activities that are provided for them. These children are the future of tomorrow and teachers have the privilege of providing that pathway.

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

Reference List Koch, J. (2012) Who Are Todays Students?, Teach. P.108-111. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Retrieved on September 7, 2011.