Analyzing my learning and teaching styles: by Tami Moffett
I have to say, I was a little amazed at the results of some of the tests I took from the website. I
felt like already knew how I learned best and how I would enjoy teaching the most, but based on
the results of my tests – I was wrong.
First I took the VARK Questionnaire. It showed me to be a highly visual learner.
My scores were: *Visual: 7 * Aural: 3 * Read/Write: 3 * Kinesthetic: 4
This shows that I am more interested in seeing the whole picture. I am probably more often
swayed by the look of an object not just by its validity or true importance. Color and layout and
design interest me and help me find my way. I would rather reemphasize my knowledge by
drawing it in a picture rather than recapping it in pictures. In learning, the most effective means
would be lectures with over emphatic gestures, picture, videos, slides. I learn best with
diagrams, flow charts and graphs. I create visual learning tools such an underlining my note and
highlighting in many colors.
(http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=visual)
The second test I took was the Learning Styles & Strategies. I tested the highest in the
Active/Visual learning styles more so than any other category. That means I tend to retain and
understand information best by doing something actively and discussing it or explaining it to
others. I would rather try it out first and see how it is going to work. Active learners tend to be
drawn to group work more than reflective learners or working alone. Lecture times without
physical engagement are extremely hard for active learners.
Learning Styles Results
Results for: Tami
ACTIVE
X
11 9
SENSING
11 9
VISUAL
11 9
SEQUENTIAL
11 9
Moffett
7
5
7
X
7
5
3
X
3
5
3
1
1
3
5
7
9
11
1
1
3
5
7
9
11
1
1
3
5
7
9
X
7
5
3
1
1
3
5
7
9
<-- -->
(http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html)
11
11
REFLECTIVE
INTUITIVE
VERBAL
GLOBAL
The third test I took was the Teaching Style Survey by Grasha-Riechmann. This examination
seemed harder to interpret for me. I was unable to find much fluctuation in the ending scores.
Basically I seem to be a very HIGH Formal authoritarian and Facilitator, but also a HIGH
Personal Model and Delegator. The only category that I am moderate in is the Expert category.
The results of your teaching style survey are as follows:
coupon@longleaf
3.62
expert
Moderate
../httpdocs/data/te Teaching Style Su
4.12
3.62
formal authority personal model
High
High
4.12
3.75
facilitator
delegator
High
High
(http://www.longleaf.net/teachingstyle.html)
The final test tool I engaged in was the Teacher Personality test. This seemed the vaguest in its
ability to ask meaningful questions. These are the results:
You have the Fair and Balanced Personality: You are a teacher who students can really depend
on to be fair. You are consistent and balanced in your approach. You rarely raise your voice and
you almost always treat every student the same. No favoritism in your room. Wonderful!
Seriously though...: Fair and balanced teachers make teaching seem easy. They have less
disruption in their classes because students realize that they will be dealt with according to the
rules but in a fair and consistent way. If you ever slip up and do something that students perceive
as unfair or inconsistent, don't worry - they'll be happy to point it out.
(http://712educators.about.com/library/quizzes/blteacher_personality.htm)
To sum all these assessments up, I would say that I am a visual/active learner. Although I can
learn by reading or hearing something, I tend to retain information longer and faster if I am
physically engaged in the learning process. I do enjoy working in groups and hearing what other
are saying and their interpretation of the incoming information.
One of the negative aspects of being of visual/active learner is that I tend to lose interest easily.
In a lecture/monotone situation, it is very hard for me to stay engaged and to glean as much as
others in that same setting are learning.
As to my teaching style, due to my learning style, I tend to be a highly engaged, energetic
teacher. I think I would agree most with Dr. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory of learning
where a series of criteria are focused on measuring different criterion. I do not believe that
intelligence is only by measured an individual's logical and language abilities, but should be
measured on their ‘ability to create and solve problems, create products or provide services that
are valued within a culture or society.’
(http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Multiple_Intelligences_and_Learning_Styles)
As a teacher, I would setup different learning centers which would use resources and materials
that promoted the different intelligences. Not only do I think it would keep the kids interested
and engaged, but I feel that it would promote a level of intelligence in the ‘smart kids’ that would
catapult them to a higher level. But it would not separate the ‘less smarter’ kids and help them
realize that just ‘book smarts’ was not what I would be looking for. They would feel like one of
the ‘smart kids’ when they were in their element. This would offer a quality instructional
experience and valuable student experiences in the classroom.