teachers handout 4elt conference how learners learn better.pdf
Week 16 enhancing learning mathematics
1. Enhancing Learning
Mathematics
Teh Kim Hong , Suriah Abd Manap
Mathematics Department
2. Every classroom includes a mix of
learners, therefore diversity is
expected.
Examples of diversity:
- learning styles - gender
- hemispheric mode - poverty
- learning modality - culture
- special needs - antiracism
- human rights
3. Due to diverse background, not all
learners benefit from conventional way of
instruction.
Some content taught in school are not
appropriate for all learners.
Therefore learners respond differently to
various instructional approaches
No single way of teaching works for
everyone.
4. All persons deserve to be treated
with dignity;
All are treated equal in rights and
responsibilities regardless of race,
disability; gender, age. Religious
belief,place of origin.
Teacher must know how to
accommodate the differences in
learning preference of students.
5. Learning Styles
Is the unique way how people
(students) learn.
Teachers should have a repertoire of
teaching methods from which to
choose at times, and can fit
individual differences.
6. McCarthy’s learning styles
Imaginative learners
– perceive cognitively and then
process the information reflectively
- They listen, share and try to
integrate school experiences with
self-experiences.
7. Imaginative learners do not simply accept
things as they are presented. They are
curious people. They want to see how
things work together to produce an overall
result. Imaginative learners understand
that there are many facets of any concept
and are not satisfied until they have
examined them all. In addition to
discussions, an effective way to teach an
imaginative learner is through the use of
role-play and case study. These learners
do not respond well to long lectures,
memorizing, or working alone.
8. Analytic learners
Perceive abstractly and process
information reflectively
Like details and ideas, prefer
sequential thought, and value ideas
more than people
9. Analytic learners are opposite from
imaginative learners. They like the lecture
format, viewing the teacher as the
primary information provider. It is the
student’s job to analyze the information
and pass judgment on it. These learners
value facts, figures, and the way it "should
be." In addition to lectures, they enjoy
debates, information sheets, and guest
experts. They don’t enjoy group activities
unless there is opportunity for an
exchange of ideas.
10. Common Sense Learners
Perceive abstractly and process
information actively.
They prefer concrete problem solving
and are pragmatic learners
They like doing experiment.
11. Common sense learners are not
satisfied with the theoretical. They
want to test ideas to see if they are
workable. They are the problem
solvers in our groups. They like to
move while they learn. Being hands-
on learners, they want to see results.
The best way to teach these
individuals is through practical
demonstrations, testimonies, and
projects.
12. Dynamic Learners
Perceive concretely and process
information actively.
Integrate experience and apply and
value new learning
Like trial-and-error learning
Good at taking risks
13. Dynamic learners look at things with an
eye to the future. They are creative and
have a "what if" mentality. They are risk
takers. The past is important only insofar
as it leads to the future. Dynamic learners
tend to be leaders. They also see the
humor in situations. Flexibility is an
important aspect of their learning style.
They are typified by having many projects
started but few finished. These learners
want a teacher who will facilitate rather
than dictate. They enjoy drama, creative
writing, or art projects that allow them to
express themselves.
14. Left Mode Learners
Analytic/ deductive – prefer logic
Rational and respond to verbal
instruction.
Solve problems logically and
sequentially by looking at parts.
Prefer established and certain
information and conventional
classroom.
15. Right Mode Learners
Right mode learners
- intuitive / deductive
- like open-ended, random
experiences
- want instruction to be
demonstrated
- like synthesizing, experimenting
and prefer experiential approach
What do schools emphasize ???
16. Learning modality preferences
Sensory preferences influence the
ways in which students learn.
Result of experience, culture, race,
gender and handedness.
3 preferences
- visual /spatial
- auditory/ Pattern
- tactile/ moving/touching
17. Visual/Spatial learners
Learn by watching, seeing or
imagining ,
often think in pictures and images,
write things down to remember.
They may say ”I see, I get the
picture”.
18. These learners need to see the teacher's
body language and facial expression to fully
understand the content of a lesson. They
tend to prefer sitting at the front of the
classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g.
people's heads). They may think in pictures
and learn best from visual displays including:
diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead
transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-
outs. During a lecture or classroom
discussion, visual learners often prefer to
take detailed notes to absorb the
information.
19. Auditory Learners
Learn through listening and
verbalizing.
When learning, vocalize silently and
even move their lips, memorize
through auditory repetition.
Solutions may be tried verbally and
by talking through.
They may “I hear “, “that sound
right”,”that rings a bell.
20. They learn best through verbal lectures,
discussions, talking things through and
listening to what others have to say.
Auditory learners interpret the underlying
meanings of speech through listening to tone
of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances.
Written information may have little meaning
until it is heard. These learners often benefit
from reading text aloud and using a tape
recorder.
21. Tactual Learners
Learn by manipulating and doing.
Action oriented and like to be
physically involved.
Approach problems in a physical way
or by manipulating models or
objects.
Respond to music by moving and
want to touch picture .
They may say ”I feel, I like to get
better handle on the info
22. Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best
through a hands-on approach, actively
exploring the physical world around them.
They may find it hard to sit still for long
periods and may become distracted by their
need for activity and exploration.
23. Hemispheric Mode
Left mode learners
• Analytic/deductive
• Rational and response to verbal
instructions
• Systematic, able to solve problems
logically
25. Spatial- ability to perceive the visual
spatial world accurately and perform
transformations upon one’s perceptions.
Bodily-kinetic – expertise in using one’s
whole body to express ideas and facility in
using one’s hands to produce or transform
things.
Musical – capacity to perceive,
discriminate, transform and express
musical forms
26. Linguistic – capacity to use words
effectively, orally and in writing.
Logical mathematical - capacity
to use numbers effectively and to
reason well.
Interpersonal – ability to perceivee
and make distinctions in the moods,
intentions, motivations and feelings
of others.
27. Intrapersonal – self knowledge and
the ability to act adaptively based
on the knowledge.
Naturalist – ability to observe and
operate hands-on in nature and the
environment.
28. “Do Not Teach Like You Have Been Taught”
“if students do not learn the way we teach
them, then we must teach them the way
they learn!”.
Use new pedagogy and instructional
delivery systems that can keep students
actively engaged in their learning style
preferences.
Whenever possible give students optional
approaches to tasks.
Be flexible, be cross culturally and help
students to acquire the ability to use
different learning styles.
