Empowering Learners with

Learning Styles

Steve Barkley2013

3

UnconsciouslyTalented

UnconsciouslyUnskilled

ConsciouslyUnskilled

ConsciouslySkilled

Unconsciously Skilled

Gordon’s (1974) Skill Development Ladder

Gordon’s SkillDevelopment Ladder

The Art of Teaching

Rotate and Empower

• Rotate instructional practices creating opportunities for students to work within their preferred style.

• Empower students to use knowledge about their preferences in making choices and investing effort.

Quick-Pick Interpretation ofThe Kaleidoscope Profile® Results

SENSORY STYLES

Kinesthetic:Works bestwhen able tomove and dothings withlarge muscles.

Tactual:Works bestwhen able tofeel throughsmall musclesand personalrelationships.

Visual:Works bestwhen able tosee, watch,read, andview.

Auditory:Works bestwhen able tohear, speak,discuss, andthink outloud.

Sharing Style Experiences

• What are the strengths of your style?• What difficulties arise from your style?• Share some personal stories that

illustrate.

Auditory Plus One

The previous activity was an example of auditory plus tactual. What components are tactual?

Auditory Plus Visual

Graphic organizers are an example. Which ones fit in your instruction?

Auditory Plus Kinesthetic

Building in movement

Model of the Earth

Inner Core

Tough Stuff

CrustRocks, Trees, Water

LithosphereMoving Plates

AsthenosphereOozy, Asthenosphere

Deep MantleHot Rocks

Outer Core

Molten Magma

Quick-Pick Interpretation ofThe Kaleidoscope Profile® Results

PERCEPTUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL STYLESConcrete:Prefers toworkwith realobjects,sounds,colors, andexperiences.

Abstract:Prefers towork withsymbols,words,numbers,and otherabstractions.

Global:Prefers to work with the“big picture,”large chunks,and intuitiveleaps.

Sequential:Prefers towork withstep-by-step,orderly, logicalinformation.

GASC Diagram

The information on this diagram is set up as though you are facing someone.

Right HemisphereGlobalSynthesisStoriesInductive Reasoning

Concrete /ImagesVisualsSoundsFeelingsBody Movements

Left HemisphereSequentialAnalysisClassificationDeductive Reasoning

Abstract /SymbolsWritten WordsSpoken WordsNumeralsEquations

AS

AGCG

CS

Organizational

Continuum

Perceptual Continuum

Concrete Sequentialpart-by-part proceduresstep-by-step directions

real world things

Abstract Sequentialdiscuss, readcompute numbers sequentiallyand analyze verballydo things in their head

Concrete Globaltrial/error

real world in randomdiscovery method of

learning

Abstract Globaldiscuss ideas, concepts,pattern, associationsplay with wordscreate metaphors

GASC — Teaching Strategies

Concrete/Sequential

•field trips organized step-by-step, with a goal•structured, hands-on materials such as models•structured demonstration lessons•simulations that follow the rules•using step-by-step directions to complete a task•using concrete materials and following directions

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Abstract/Sequential

• lectures, with questions and answers in a step-by step progression•audiotapes and/or videotapes in a step-by-step sequence•almost all textbooks•presenting logical thought and constructions•explaining theories through deductive reasoning•programmed instruction

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GASC — Teaching Strategies

Abstract/Global

•open-ended think sessions• group discussions•allowing think time for reflections before beginning a project or assignment•allowing students to make intuitive leaps•using the synthesis process to allow students to get an “Aha!”•optional reading assignments

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Concrete/Global

•optional assignments involving real things•problem solving simulations•open-ended, discovery-type field trips• learning through trial and error and seeing real objects•committee work on real projects•discovery learning

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Quick-Pick Interpretation ofThe Kaleidoscope Profile® Results

TEMPERAMENT STYLES

IntuitiveFeeler:Valuesintegrity,relationshipsand personaland emotionalissues.

IntuitiveThinker:Valuescompetence,rationalreasoning,andintellectualcomplexities.

SensingJudger:Valuesauthority,organization,predictability,andusefulness.

SensingPerceiver:Values action,excitement,style,competition,andimmediateresponses.

Differentiate for theAt-Risk Learner

• Kinesthetic• Concrete Global• Sensing

Perceiver

Live Event Learning