Saturday, 6 August 2016

Children's Learning Research

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/11149086/Six-new-ways-to-teach-children-more-effectively.html

Research On Affective Teaching Strategies 

Uncertain reward, Bristol and York Universities
12,150 year eight pupils across the south-west, north-west and Yorkshire will be asked to spin a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ to determine how many points they receive for answering quiz questions correctly.
Neuroscience findings suggest that learning is improved when the reward for success is uncertain.
Pupils will compete in quiz teams to gain points will be determined by spinning a Wheel of Fortune.
Evidence suggests that not being sure of a reward increases dopamine levels in the brain and engagement in learning.
Dr Paul Howard Jones, Bristol University said, “We know answering questions in class is important for students' learning but, based on our understanding of the brain's reward system, we will be encouraging all students to continuously answer questions as part of a game. Students will need a combination of luck and learning to win. Current research suggests this is more motivating and effective for students' learning.
“Games in the classroom may do more than just make learning fun. Evidence suggests they can stimulate the brain's reward system in ways that accelerate learning. We're very excited about the chance to test this idea.”

Learning Counterintutive Concepts, Birkbeck University of London
Around 9,000 pupils across 100 primary schools in London, the North West and the Midlands will be taught how to ignore prior knowledge.
Children in years three and five will be given 15 minutes of exercises, three times a week at the beginning of maths and science lessons.
The aim is to train the pupil to ‘turn-off’ their initial response to a problem and, instead, give a more delayed and reflected answer.
Exercises will help children realise that elephants and mice have the same size cells, or the world is round despite seeming flat. Professor Denis Mareschal, of Birkbeck, University of London, said: "Learning difficult concepts often involves ignoring prior ideas, which can be incorrect.
"Kids often rush to give quick answers to questions, so helping them to pause and reflect before answering may be key in improving their understanding of important conceptss in science and maths, which often rely on non-obvious ideas.
"We're delighted we have the opportunity to put this to the test."

Fit to Study, Oxford University and Oxford Brookes
10,500 pupils from 70 schools across Oxfordshire will take part in three 40 minute sessions of aerobic exercises each week/
Neuroscience evidence has shown several beneficial effects of exercise on brain function, increasing attention spans and helping to grow both grey and white matter.
Exercise also has the immediate benefit of increasing blood flow to the brain which is important for the generation of new neurons.
Evidence has suggested that learning is increased if activities are new and physically challenging, so the exercises will force children to become breathless, while also teaching motor skills.
Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg, a Welcome Trust Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, said: “Children are living increasingly sedentary lives and there is considerable scope for increasing their activity levels. We all know that exercise is good for the body, but research suggests that it’s also good for the brain.

"We therefore think that making PE lessons more active could boost subsequent lesson performance and academic outcomes over a longer time, but the only way to know for sure is to test the idea. I’m looking forward to working with schools to find out more.”

Here are 7 primary learning styles:
Visual (Spatial) – These individuals learn best through pictures, images, and spatial understanding
Aural (Auditory) – These individuals learn best through sound and music
Verbal (Linguistic) – These individuals learn best through words, verbal and/or written
Physical (Kinesthetic) – These individuals learn best through experience and rely on the sense of touch
Logical (Mathematical) – These individuals learn best through logic and reasoning
Social (Interpersonal) – These individuals learn best through group interaction
Solitary (Intrapersonal) – These individuals learn best through self-study

Visual Learners
To help your visual learner grasp concepts faster, teach them through pictures, icons, charts, diagrams, and color coded information.  For example, if you are teaching a kid how to tie their shoes, walk them through step by step instructions with each step illustrated.  Use shoe laces that are half one color and half another to help them identify which side is which.  If you are teaching an academic subject like rain forest ecosystems, allow kids to research topics using graphics and compile their findings into a poster.  Visual learners can also retain information better if it has been categorized according to colors.  Try color coding the parts of speech when you read together to teach grammar.  As a teacher (official or unofficial), always have different colored pens, pencils, markers, labels, and sticky notes on hand.

Here are 7 primary learning styles:
Visual (Spatial) – These individuals learn best through pictures, images, and spatial understanding
Aural (Auditory) – These individuals learn best through sound and music
Verbal (Linguistic) – These individuals learn best through words, verbal and/or written
Physical (Kinesthetic) – These individuals learn best through experience and rely on the sense of touch
Logical (Mathematical) – These individuals learn best through logic and reasoning
Social (Interpersonal) – These individuals learn best through group interaction
Solitary (Intrapersonal) – These individuals learn best through self-study

Visual Learners
To help your visual learner grasp concepts faster, teach them through pictures, icons, charts, diagrams, and color coded information.  For example, if you are teaching a kid how to tie their shoes, walk them through step by step instructions with each step illustrated.  Use shoe laces that are half one color and half another to help them identify which side is which.  If you are teaching an academic subject like rain forest ecosystems, allow kids to research topics using graphics and compile their findings into a poster.  Visual learners can also retain information better if it has been categorized according to colors.  Try color coding the parts of speech when you read together to teach grammar.  As a teacher (official or unofficial), always have different colored pens, pencils, markers, labels, and sticky notes on hand.

Aural Learners
Aural learners thrive on teaching techniques that involve sound.  Making up a story or a song with the directions or the main concepts of the lesson will help this type of learner succeed.  Encourage them to rewrite the lyrics to their favorite songs to learn new things.  You can also use music to set the mood of the learning environment.  If the kids are taking an exam, trying playing some classical music.  If you need them to be excited about something they find boring (math, grammar, history, could be anything), play some pump-it-up music for a few minutes.  For younger children, use oral storytelling and sing-alongs to teach important lessons.  For example, if you are teaching about different body parts, sing the “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song.

Verbal Learners
Verbal learning centers on the use of words.  Copying down phrases and words, taking their own notes during lectures, reading out loud, listening to audio recordings, and discussions are effective teaching methods and techniques for this type of learner.  Teach spelling by having them write out the word correctly multiple times on a piece of paper or on a white board.  Help your children understand rules by writing them on a poster board that they can see and refer to.  If your kids are interested in writing, learn how to help them write a mystery story that they can be proud of.

Physical Learners
Physical learners learn through “doing”.  Encourage kids to build, create, act things out, and experience what they are learning.  If you are teaching about Ancient Rome, allow kids to build models of ancient buildings and historical sites.  If they are not good at building models and structures, try having your students act out what they are learning in a skit, improv, or a play.  Field trips, technology, and playing games are also effective teaching methods for physical learners.  For example, if you are teaching the angles of triangles in geometry, bring the lesson out to the basketball court.  You can have two students demonstrate and make different angles while standing next to the basketball hoop.  Experimentation is also a good method to use.  Encourage kids to learn from their mistakes and failed attempts. If you are trying to teach kids about entrepreneurship, a subject that is very hands on, try taking this course to learn more about effective teaching methods.

Logical Learners
Logical learners need to know the elusive “why?”. The answer “because” or “it just is” will never sit right with them.  They will excel at following complicated directions and using technology and games to reach learning outcomes.   You can learn more on how to teach with technology and connect with your students with this course.  Children who are logical learners often go on to be engineers or mathematicians, as both of these professional fields typically follow logical rules.  Trying using problem solving as a way to learn new material.  For example, have the kids develop a hypothesis that they can test.  Discuss the results on whether failed or succeeded and ask them why this was the case.  You may be surprised how they articulate their answers.

Social Learners
Social learners thrive on interpersonal communications and learn best in a group atmosphere. You can teach to this learning style through role playing, group projects, volunteering, service projects, and debates.  Let kids engage with others, facilitate discussions, and encourage collaboration.  You will also find that social learners can make great pen pals.

Solitary Learners
Solitary learners prefer individual teaching or self-paced learnings.  Being in group situations can cause anxiety and lead to them shutting down.  Try centering your lesson plans around things they are already interested in and use their interest as a vessel to learn new things.  For example, if you have a child obsessed with airplanes you can use this to teach about gravity, weather, physics, motivation, cultural differences, motivation, or even cooking.  Solidary learners will also enjoy watching how-to-videos and reading to learn new things. 
Aural learners thrive on teaching techniques that involve sound.  Making up a story or a song with the directions or the main concepts of the lesson will help this type of learner succeed.  Encourage them to rewrite the lyrics to their favorite songs to learn new things.  You can also use music to set the mood of the learning environment.  If the kids are taking an exam, trying playing some classical music.  If you need them to be excited about something they find boring (math, grammar, history, could be anything), play some pump-it-up music for a few minutes.  For younger children, use oral storytelling and sing-alongs to teach important lessons.  For example, if you are teaching about different body parts, sing the “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song.

Verbal Learners
Verbal learning centers on the use of words.  Copying down phrases and words, taking their own notes during lectures, reading out loud, listening to audio recordings, and discussions are effective teaching methods and techniques for this type of learner.  Teach spelling by having them write out the word correctly multiple times on a piece of paper or on a white board.  Help your children understand rules by writing them on a poster board that they can see and refer to.  If your kids are interested in writing, learn how to help them write a mystery story that they can be proud of.

Physical Learners
Physical learners learn through “doing”.  Encourage kids to build, create, act things out, and experience what they are learning.  If you are teaching about Ancient Rome, allow kids to build models of ancient buildings and historical sites.  If they are not good at building models and structures, try having your students act out what they are learning in a skit, improv, or a play.  Field trips, technology, and playing games are also effective teaching methods for physical learners.  For example, if you are teaching the angles of triangles in geometry, bring the lesson out to the basketball court.  You can have two students demonstrate and make different angles while standing next to the basketball hoop.  Experimentation is also a good method to use.  Encourage kids to learn from their mistakes and failed attempts. If you are trying to teach kids about entrepreneurship, a subject that is very hands on, try taking this course to learn more about effective teaching methods.

Logical Learners
Logical learners need to know the elusive “why?”. The answer “because” or “it just is” will never sit right with them.  They will excel at following complicated directions and using technology and games to reach learning outcomes.   You can learn more on how to teach with technology and connect with your students with this course.  Children who are logical learners often go on to be engineers or mathematicians, as both of these professional fields typically follow logical rules.  Trying using problem solving as a way to learn new material.  For example, have the kids develop a hypothesis that they can test.  Discuss the results on whether failed or succeeded and ask them why this was the case.  You may be surprised how they articulate their answers.

Social Learners
Social learners thrive on interpersonal communications and learn best in a group atmosphere. You can teach to this learning style through role playing, group projects, volunteering, service projects, and debates.  Let kids engage with others, facilitate discussions, and encourage collaboration.  You will also find that social learners can make great pen pals.

Solitary Learners
Solitary learners prefer individual teaching or self-paced learnings.  Being in group situations can cause anxiety and lead to them shutting down.  Try centering your lesson plans around things they are already interested in and use their interest as a vessel to learn new things.  For example, if you have a child obsessed with airplanes you can use this to teach about gravity, weather, physics, motivation, cultural differences, motivation, or even cooking.  Solidary learners will also enjoy watching how-to-videos and reading to learn new things. 

No comments:

Post a Comment