1. Using Learning Styles to
Support Struggling Learners
30th National Conference on the Training &
Employment of Paraprofessionals
March 1-3, 2012
San Antonio, TX
Ludmila Battista, MA
Kaplan University
2. Agenda
• Welcome/Introduction
• What is Learning Style/MI
Theory?
• Strategies for Application
• Breakout Sessions
• Title I Overview
• Conclusion
5. Learning Style Theory & MI Theory
Assessing prior knowledge
What do YOU
know about LS
and MI Theory?
6. Getting to know
Paraprofessional
you…
State/School District Rep
University Professor/Administrator Other?
Kinesthetic &
Auditory Learners
•Name, where are you from?
•Your position/background
•Knowledge of LS and MI Theory (0-3)
7. Learning Style Theory
Neil Fleming VAK/VARK (1987)
- Visual (Symbolic/Graphic)
- Auditory
- Read/Write
- Kinesthetic *Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Multi-modal *Kolb/McCarthy Learning Cycles
*many others!
Controversy-what does the research say?
•Increased demands on teachers
•Children can learn through non-preferential LS
•Benefits of using variety of LS in instruction
•Benefits of knowing your own LS preferences
8. Your Turn! Take the VARK
Questionnaire
16 MC Questions
Select one preference
for each
9. Scoring the VARK
For each question, write the letter (V, A, R, or K) that
goes with the choice you selected.
Count the number of each (V, A, R, K) that you selected
and tally on the last page of the survey.
What is your highest score?
10. Visual Learning Style
Source: VARK-a guide to learning styles, Neil Fleming, 2011 at
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visual
14. Auditory Learning Style
• Class discussions
• Partner/small group discussions
• Debates
• Explain ideas/concepts to others (teaching others)
• Use of tape recorder--summarize notes/understanding
• Note interesting details, examples, stories, jokes
• Describe (orally) what was on visual aids
• Leave spaces in notes for later recall and filling in
• Read aloud (notes/assignments)
• Explain notes to others
Source: VARK-a guide to learning styles, Neil Fleming, 2011 at
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=aural
16. Read/Write Learning Style
• Use of printed materials (lists, headings, dictionaries
• glossaries, definitions, handouts, readings, etc.)
• Study by use of writing (practice responses to essay
questions, summarizing materials)
• Reread notes often
• Rewrite ideas/key concepts in different words
• Interpret visual aids in words
• Practice with sample questions (MC, essay)
• Write lists
• Arrange words into hierarchies
Source: VARK-a guide to learning styles, Neil Fleming, 2011 at
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=readwrite
18. Kinesthetic Learning Styles
• Use all senses (taste, touch, smell, vision, etc.)
• Labs/experiments
• field trips
• Examples/demonstrations
• Hands-on
• Trial and error (project based learning)
• collections, samples
• For notes: think of concrete/relevant/real life
experiences
• Plenty of examples in notes (case studies, applications)
• Recall experiences/role play
Source VARK-a guide to learning styles, Neil Fleming, 2011 at
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=kinestheticprint
19. Fernauld’s VAKT method
• Say it, trace it
while saying it,
say it again
• Write it (without
looking); compare
• Repeat until 3X
correctly
20. LS Theory in Education
• Early childhood- 3rd grade: kinesthetic
• Grades 4-8: Visual
• Grades 9-college: auditory (lectures)
• Create materials/activities to capitalize on a variety of
learning styles/address individual needs
• Create “helpsheets” for learners
• Special Needs/SLL
• Shift to more active learning (away from the "empty
vessel" approach)
• Respond to diversity
• Reinvigorate your teaching
22. Verbal Linguistic Intelligence
• Read it
• •Prepare a report
Spell It
•Write a play or essay
• Write it •Compose a poem
• Listen to it •Listen to audio/watch
• Tell it video
• Say it •Interview
•Label a diagram
• Use mnemonics
•Presentations/case
• Chunk information studies
• Recall/summarize
Think Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou, Shakespeare
23. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
• Make a pattern
• Chart it
•Describe a sequence
• Sequence it or a process
• Create a mnemonic •Develop a rationale
• Analyze it •Classify, rank,
• Abstract thinking compare
•Interpret evidence
• Use numbers
•Study math formulas
• Prove it •Abstract analysis
• Data/STatistics •Use of computers
Think Bill Gates and Albert Einstein!
24. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
• Role Play
• •Construct a model
Walkabout
•Put on a play/skit
• Dance/lip sync •Work on a project
• Skits/charades (hands-on)
• Construction/projects •Use materials
• Math manipulatives •Simulations
• Sign language
• Sports
• Activity Centers
Think Michael Jackson, Baryshnikov, Michael Phelps
25. Musical-Rhythmic Intelligence
• Sing it
• •Make connections to
Create a beat
music/percussion
• Rap it •Write poems/songs on
• Make a cheer/jingle topic
• Hum it
• Identify sounds
• Use Music
• Poetry
Think Beethoven, Kanye West, John Williams
26. Visual Spatial Intelligence
• Mind maps
• Graphic organizers • Draw a picture
• Video • Create a mural or
• Color display
• Illustrate an event
coding/highlighting
• Make a diagram
• Shape a word
• Create a cartoon
• Read a chart/study • Paint/design a poster
illustrations • Use color
• Visualize it • Computer graphics
Think graphic artists, designers, architects
27. Interpersonal Intelligence
• Think/Pair/Share
• Jigsaw
• Cooperative Groups •Partners/Groupwork
• Drama/Debates •Come to conclusions
•Solve problems together
• Role Play
•Survey/interview others
• Peer Counseling •Dialogue
• Tutors/buddies •Presentations/group
• Sharing feedback leaders
• Shared journals
Think Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Franklin
Roosevelt
28. Intrapersonal Intelligence
• Think about and •Use self-talk
plan •Work independently
• Write in journal •Solve in your own way
• Review/visualize •Understand self/make
personal connections
• Make a connection
•Have ownership
with past
•Relate to own
experiences/informa
goals/challenges
tion
• Metacognitive
moments
Think Socrates, Jesus, Buddha
29. Naturalistic Intelligence
• Interest in plants,
animals, rocks, etc.
• Label it
•Discovery learning
• Categorize it •Ideas/connections from
• Identify it nature
• Form a hypothesis •Examine materials to
• Experiment make generalizations
•Outdoor activities
• Adapt/Classify it
•Environmental
• Investigate it connections
Think Charles Darwin, Steve Irwin
30. Breakout Sessions – Apply what
you’ve learned
Topics Learning Styles
•Visual
•Word problems •Auditory
•Letters •Reading/Thinking
•Kinesthetic
•Voyage of Columbus
•Writing a formal letter Multiple Intelligence Areas
•Verbal-Linguistic
•Playing a sport •Logical-Mathematical
•Bodily-Kinesthetic
•The solar system •Musical-Rhythmic
•Counting money •Visual-Spatial
•Interpersonal
Show 3 ways •Intrapersonal
•Naturalistic
31. Title I Overview
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) aka No
Child Left Behind Act (2001)
• Additional financial/instructional support for disadvantaged
students
• Reading, Writing Math Skills
• Whole school, or aspects within the school
• Eligible students can be identified through assessments
• NCLB states all children must be proficient by 2013-14 (NCLB)
• Title I funded schools must meet AYP goals for total student
population, or are classified "in need of remediation“
• (school choice, tutoring, restructure school, replace school staff,
state takeover)
32. References
Armstrong, T. Multiple Intelligences at http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.php
Clark, D. Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Learning Styles (VAK) at
http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/styles/vakt.html
Fleming, N. VARK a guide to Learning Styles at http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/publinks/CRLT_no10.pdf
Great Schools. No Child Left Behind at http://www.greatschools.org/definitions/or/nclb.html
Jones, R. Reading Quest: Strategies for Reading Comprehension at
http://www.readingquest.org/strat/
Mulligan, D. Learning and Succeeding in a Caring Environment at
http://www.appomattox.k12.va.us/acps/attachments/6_6_12_dan_mulligan_handout.pdf
Thompson, H. Multiple Intelligence Overview at
http://hmt.myweb.uga.edu/webwrite/mioverview.htm
Theroux, P. Learning Styles at http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/styles.html
