1. Learning Styles

2. Learning Style
Stewart and Felicetti (1992): those "educational conditions under which a student is most likely to learn."
a student’s consistent way of responding to and using stimuli in the context of learning
how learners prefer to learn

3. Traditional Schooling
Use of linguistic and logical thinking methods only
Rely on classroom and book-based teaching, repetition, pressured exams for reinforcement/review
Vs.
Use of Learning Styles
Recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques
Use techniques suited to the learner to improve speed and quality of learning

4. Kolb’s Learning Styles
Kolb (1984) theorized that people develop preferences for different learning styles. According to Kolb, the learning cycle involves four processes that must be present for learning to occur:
Activist - Active Experimentation (simulations, case study, homework). What's new? I'm game for anything.
Reflector - Reflective Observation (logs, journals, brainstorming). I'd like time to think about this.
Theorist - Abstract Conceptualization (lecture, papers, analogies). How does this relate to that?
Pragmatist - Concrete Experience (laboratories, field work, observations). How can I apply this in practice?

5. Kolb’s Learning Styles
These learning styles are the combination of two lines of axis (continuums) each formed between what Kolb calls 'dialectically related modes' of 'grasping experience' (doing or watching), and 'transforming experience‘ (feeling or thinking):
Feeling - Concrete Experience (CE)
Watching - Reflective Observation (RO)
Thinking - Abstract Conceptualisation (AC)
Doing - Active Experimentation (AE)

6. Multiple Intelligences
Intelligence can come in many forms.
Learning styles are the way people put the intelligence to work.
Knowing which intelligence you possess enables you to select learning styles that work for you.

7. Multiple Intelligences
Visual (spatial) – use of pictures, images and spatial understanding
Aural (auditory-musical) – prefer using sound and music
Verbal (linguistic) – prefer using words, both in speech and writing
Physical (kinesthetic) – prefer using body, hands and sense of touch
Logical (mathematical) – prefer using logic, reasoning and systems
Social (interpersonal) – prefer learning in groups
Solitary (intrapersonal) – prefer to work alone and use self-study

8. VAK Learning Styles VISUAL Learning through seeing AUDITORY
Learning through hearing
KINESTHETIC/TACTILE
Learning through moving, doing, and touching

9. VAK Learning Styles VISUAL LEARNERS
Think in pictures and learn best from visual displays (diagrams, illustrated textbooks, videos, charts)
Prefer to take detailed notes to absorb information
Need to see teacher’s body language and facial expression to fully understand content of lesson

10. VAK Learning Styles AUDITORY LEARNERS
Learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, and listening to what others have to say
Interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances
Benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder

11. VAK Learning Styles KINESTHETIC/TACTILE LEARNERS
Do best while touching and moving
Learn best through a hands-on approach
Need for activity and exploration

12. Integrating the Styles into the Learning Environment
VISUAL LEARNERS
Use graphs, charts, illustrations, or other visual aids.
Include outlines, concept maps, agendas, handouts, etc. for reading and taking notes.
Invite questions to help them stay alert in auditory environments.
Post flip charts to show what will come and what has been presented.
Supplement textual information with illustrations whenever possible.
Have them draw pictures in the margins.
Have the learners envision the topic or have them act out the subject matter.

13. Integrating the Styles into the Learning Environment
AUDITORY LEARNERS
Begin new material with a brief explanation of what is coming. Conclude with a summary of what has been covered.
Use the method of questioning learners to draw as much information from them as possible.
Include auditory activities, such as brainstorming, buzz groups, or Jeopardy. Leave plenty of time to debrief activities.
Have the learners verbalize the questions.
Develop an internal dialogue between yourself and the learners.

14. Integrating the Styles into the Learning Environment
KINESTHETIC/TACTILE LEARNERS
Use activities that get the learners up and moving
Play music, when appropriate, during activities
Use colored markers to emphasize key points on flipcharts or white boards
Give frequent stretch breaks (brain breaks).
Guide learners through a visualization of complex tasks
Have them transfer information from the text to another medium such as a keyboard or a tablet

15. Education and Gaming
The nature of learning supported by use of games in education can be broadly divided into three types:
learning as a result of tasks stimulated by the content of the games
knowledge developed through the content of the game
skills arising as a result of playing the game

16. Education and Gaming Categories of Games
adventure games – where the player moves through a virtual world
puzzle games - such as Tetris
role-playing games – where the player assumes the role of a person or creatures, such as Dungeons and Dragons
strategy games – such as Sims, where the player’s strategy drives the game
sports games

17. Education and Gaming • strategic thinking • planning • communication
Use of games in education can support valuable skill development, such as:
• strategic thinking
• planning
• communication
• application of numbers
• negotiating skills
• group decision-making
• data-handling

18. Education and Gaming Skills Developed Using Games
Mathematical Development
Use everyday words to describe position
Creative Development
Recognise and explore how sounds can be changed, sing simple songs from memory, recognise repeated sounds and sound patterns and match movements to music.
Respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel.
Use their imagination in art and design, music, dance, imaginative and role play and stories.

19. Education and Gaming Skills Developed Using Games
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Use early control software to investigate direction and control
Physical Development
Fine motor control can be developed with the increased refinement in using a mouse for navigation and selecting objects.