I highly recommend that you read this post.
Ever since one of our first assigned readings Theories of Learning and Their Roles in Teaching -Bransford, I have striven to be more metacognitive, observing myself and my learning style, along with my ability to functionally transfer memorized information.
Since my uptake of this task, my ability to retain memorized information HAS, in fact, drastically improved. But I'd had some trouble identifying my learning style. The fact is, I've found through some general reading, although there are 4 main types of learning, (kinesthetic, aural, auditory, and read-write learners) very few people fit into just one category. I thought I was a kinesthetic learner, but I am in fact closer to an even split between kinesthetic (dominant), auditory, aural, and read-and-write learning. Although I adapt to new concepts best with movement/participation-based exercises, my long-term retainment is better guaranteed through a combination of reading, writing, listening, and performing.
This discovery posed a serious question for my future in teaching. How, if all types of learners are present in a class, many of whom cannot be put into just one category of learners, will I be able to guarantee in all of my students proficiency and long-term retainment of advanced musical concepts? And how, after already developing a teaching style and curriculum, will I be able to re-cater my curriculum ALL OVER AGAIN to a new class composed of new learners?
I am not the only one who has asked this question in the past, apparently.
This article is a teacher's account of their own difficulties integrating and emphasizing all learning-styles into their classroom, and a well-thought-out model, designed by a man called Jerome Bruner, which, along with other such models (which are unfortunately not mentioned) helped her succeed in doing so.
Here's the link! Enjoy.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=8bb25530-0601-4324-aea3-a8554d4be0a8%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aph&AN=20359065
This is obviously just one model, and is to be used only as a supplementary guide to learning how to think in multiple styles. This model is not enough to base an entire teaching philosophy around, but I found the perspective from which it was written extraordinarily useful (POV of a blooming new music teacher).
I also found a cool few resources for identifying your musical learning styles, and how to adapt your study and practice to your learning style. This page may be for harpists, but I found it engaging and relevant. http://www.myharpsdelight.com/learning-styles.html
If you have never really considered what you're learning style is, this article should help you define your category. http://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/learning_styles/
The last link you posted I really enjoy. There was a whole list of questions to ask yourself in order to get a better idea of which type of learner you are. I always thought I was simply a interpersonal and visual learner but after reading through all these questions I am more of an equal mix of all. I find this kind of funny actually because I guess I always assumed that people fit into one category for the majority of their traits and then had a few outside techniques as well. Clearly this isn't so. One person might not have one specific way that they can learn best. They might need a combination of 3 or 4 types before they fully understand. Now that I understand this better I think my teaching or lesson planning will improve. Realizing that I fit into a variety of types of learners helps me realize how important it is to include all of the learning types into every lesson.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very detailed post. Nice job!
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