Empowering
Learners with
Learning Styles
Steve Barkley
2013
Gordon’s Skill
Development Ladder
The Art of Teaching
Unconsciously
Talented
Unconsciously
Unskilled
Consciously
Unskilled
Unconsciously
Skilled
Consciously
Skilled
Gordon’s (1974) Skill Development Ladder
3
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 of
The Kaleidoscope Profile® Results
SENSORY STYLES
Kinesthetic: Tactual:
Visual:
Auditory:
Works best
when able to
move and do
things with
large muscles.
Works best
when able to
see, watch,
read, and
view.
Works best
when able to
hear, speak,
discuss, and
think out
loud.
Works best
when able to
feel through
small muscles
and personal
relationships.
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
Rocks, Trees, Water
Moving Plates
Oozy, Asthenosphere
Crust
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Hot Rocks
Deep Mantle
Molten Magma
Outer Core
Tough Stuff
Inner
Core
Quick-Pick Interpretation of
The Kaleidoscope Profile® Results
PERCEPTUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL STYLES
Concrete:
Abstract:
Global:
Sequential:
Prefers to
work
with real
objects,
sounds,
colors, and
experiences.
Prefers to
work with
symbols,
words,
numbers,
and other
abstractions.
Prefers to
work with the
“big picture,”
large chunks,
and intuitive
leaps.
Prefers to
work with
step-by-step,
orderly, logical
information.
GASC Diagram
Right Hemisphere
Left Hemisphere
Synthesis
Stories
Inductive Reasoning
Analysis
Classification
Deductive Reasoning
Global
Concrete /Images
Visuals
Sounds
Feelings
Body Movements
Sequential
Abstract /Symbols
Written Words
Spoken Words
Numerals
Equations
The information on this diagram is set up as though you are facing someone.
AS
CS
Abstract Sequential
Concrete Sequential
discuss, read
compute numbers sequentially
and analyze verbally
do things in their head
part-by-part procedures
step-by-step directions
real world things
Concrete Global
CG
trial/error
real world in random
discovery method of
learning
Continuum
Organizational
Perceptual
Abstract Global
discuss ideas, concepts,
pattern, associations
play with words
create metaphors
AG
GASC — Teaching Strategies
Concrete/Sequential
Abstract/Sequential
• field trips organized step-by-step,
• lectures, with questions and answers
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
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
____________________________________
___________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
GASC — Teaching Strategies
Concrete/Global
Abstract/Global
• optional assignments involving real
• open-ended think sessions
• group discussions
• allowing think time for reflections
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
________________________
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
___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
__________________________________
Quick-Pick Interpretation of
The Kaleidoscope Profile® Results
TEMPERAMENT STYLES
Intuitive
Feeler:
Intuitive
Thinker:
Sensing
Judger:
Sensing
Perceiver:
Values
integrity,
relationships
and personal
and emotional
issues.
Values
competence,
rational
reasoning,
and
intellectual
complexities.
Values
authority,
organization,
predictability,
and
usefulness.
Values action,
excitement,
style,
competition,
and
immediate
responses.
Differentiate for the
At-Risk Learner
• Kinesthetic
• Concrete Global
• Sensing Perceiver
Live Event Learning