Running Head: LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY Standard #3: Learning Environments The teacher works with others to create

environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and selfmotivation. Name of Artifact: Learning Styles Inventory Date: September 2010 Course: EDUC 101- Introduction to Education Brief Description: This was an assessment to research different learning styles and how individuals may prefer one method of learning or study over another. This assignment required us to first figure out our own personal learning style using the Vark Institute assessment and to then evaluate how it relates to the educational theories available. Rationale: To demonstrate my knowledge of Standard Three Learning Environments, I have chosen to include my Learning Styles Inventory assignment because it exhibits my knowledge and values of promoting an environment that is without bias and includes content that is meaningful to all students.

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Learning Styles Inventory Rita Mitchell Intro to Education 101 A1H Barbara Wylie Ivy Tech Community College September 17, 2010

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY Learning Styles Inventory Have you ever been in class doodling at the edge of your notebook paper? Was your teacher giving a lecture while you became a master of origami? You may ask yourself, Why cant I pay attention? Some students decide that school is just not for them. In truth, school can be a students greatest achievement and is just a matter of discovering what ones learning style and multiple intelligences are. Learning style can be defined as the dominant way in which we process the information

around us. (Koch, 2009) Researchers have found that there are three major categories of learning styles. One of these learning styles is for auditory learners. Auditory learners learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through, and listening to what others have to say. (Koch, 2009) The second learning style is for visual learners. Visual learners need to see the teachers body language and facial expressions to fully understand the content of a lesson. (Koch, 2009) For example, some visual learners think in pictures and would learn better with tools like flipcharts, diagrams, or illustrated textbooks. (Koch, 2009) The last of these learning styles is kinesthetic learners. Kinesthetic learners may be easily distracted or find it hard to sit still for long periods of time. (Koch, 2009) These learners learn best by exploring the world around them and take a more hands on approach when completing certain tasks. (Koch, 2009) After taking the learning styles test created by the Vark Institute my results confirmed that I am multimodal. Multimodal means that one can learn in any form of teaching style but that you may prefer one method over another. I prefer to be taught in an aural learning environment. I perform better in classes where students can engage in classroom activities, discussions, and projects. Being around my peers and hearing more than one point of view helps me concentrate

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more on the meaning of the lesson. The traditional method of reading and writing is how I study but I am searching for other methods that may work better for me. Multiple Intelligences are a great way to help determine what learning capacities are greater within ones intelligence profile. (Koch, 2009) Gardners theory of multiple intelligences support the premise that an individuals intelligence is not one single fixed attribute, but rather a collection of several different types of abilities that create an intelligence profile. (Koch, 2009) The intelligence profile is unique to every individual and is a combination of relative strengths and weaknesses among all the different intelligences. (Koch, 2009) According to Gardner, no two human beings will have the same profiles of intelligence. (Koch, 2009) As an educator, it is important to know these intelligences so students may have the opportunity of learning to their full potential. (Koch, 2009) When educators teach in one method and do not provide other learning opportunities it can force a learning gap between students with different abilities. (Koch, 2009) If teachers explore topics in multiple learning styles they will reach more students. (Koch, 2009) After learning my personal learning style and intelligence profile I now understand how important it is to provide diverse lesson plans in order to reach students. Although many schools have traditional models of teaching it is my responsibility to make sure my students learn to their maximum potential and to provide a variety of assignments for them to do so. I want each of my students to succeed and be proud of the abilities they are really great at.

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY References Fleming, N. (1992). VARK: A guide to learning styles .Retrieved from http://www.varklearn.com/english/indes.asp

Koch, Janice. (2009). So you want to be a teacher? Teaching and learning in the 21 st century. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.