Essay Example on Multiple Intelligences: What Does the Research Say? Article

The author of the article is Howard Gardner, whose theory of multiple intelligences helps us understand intelligence and provides different students with different ways of expressing themselves. The article is interesting as it makes us understand the challenges that educators face when presenting the content to learners. Educators are faced with the challenge of reaching some students until they change how they present the information (Gardner, 2016). In education, therefore, there is no one approach that is applicable and effective to all learners. Understanding the intelligences helps the educator to evaluate different ways that can be used in presenting the information to learners. It is important first to evaluate the strengths and challenges faced by each learner as well as the interests and activities that they do not like. This will help in adopting different styles that promote a balance of the needs of the learners.

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Andragogy (Adult Learning) Video

Andragogy refers to the methods used in adult education and is different from pedagogy, which refers to children's education. The video is interesting as it highlights the six assumptions about adult learners. The first assumption of adult learning is the need to know why they are learning and if they understand the benefits of learning and the disadvantages of failing to learn (Finlay, 2010). The most interesting thing, however, is that adult learners have the experience, which creates bias and single-mindedness. Therefore, learning theory should be associated with the knowledge that the learners already have, and the learning activities should include active engagement, collaboration, and constructive learning. Also, it is interesting to learn that experiential learning is the most preferred learning for adults. Adults easily comprehend information and concepts when they practice. Therefore, to promote understanding in andragogy, educators should promote experience-based learning and provide reflection opportunities.

Are Learning Styles Real - and Useful? Article

In this article, I learned that when a learner encounters information presented in a mode that they do not prefer, they mentally convert the information to a modality that they prefer (Finley, 2015). This means that the learners who prefer a visual learning style convert written information mentally into a visual representation. On the other hand, learners who prefer a verbal learning style convert visual information into a linguistic form. They store the information in the converted state, which makes it easy for them to remember.

Principles of Adult Learning Article

The principle that adults learn by doing among the adults was interesting to learn that adults learn from doing things practically as opposed to children, who concentrate on both theological and practical aspects of learning. The principle of adults learning by doing is interesting in how adult learners can carry out activities without knowing the facts behind the things that they embrace and work on practically (Balatero, 2018). The principles of adult learning explain the factors that are considered important and followed by adult learners and their teachers. The principles of adult learning are meant to improve adult education by concentrating on the factor that suits adults and favors them to learn. The author argues that adult learners learn to achieve certain objectives; the principle of learning things practically gives them the picture and experience of the things they will be doing with the knowledge learned. The principles of adult learning are based on the outcome of the learning experience.

Adult Learning Theory Video

According to the adult learning theory video, there are fundamental things that need to be done for adults to commit to learning. The achievable aspect was the most interesting, where I learned that adults would not begin learning on matters that they believe they will not be able to achieve the desired goal (Foster, 2014). When adults believe that they will achieve their goals, they are able to put more effort into achieving the desired outcome. The teachers make the adults believe that they are capable of achieving their desired goals. Teachers need to encourage adults to work in groups so learners can learn from each other and increase their confidence (Foster, 2014). Adam Foster argued that the motivation to learn and implement their knowledge in real life helps adults begin to develop solutions to the challenges that they face. Adult learning theory encourages learners to concentrate on working hard towards realizing their desired goals.

Are Learning Styles Real - and Useful? Article

According to Stephen Downes, learning styles influence the instructional design used by the tutors. The designs help the tutors to accommodate different learning styles because the people they teach are different (Finley, 2015). Learning styles are important in helping tutors develop strategies for educating people with different personalities. Stephen emphasizes the importance of learning styles, arguing that the learning styles allow the tutors to handle learners based on their abilities.

Question One

Students can use mind maps and SQ3R to develop their language and study skills by understanding the structure of the language, which increases the chances of the student to remember words when practicing different languages. Mind maps will help the student remember the language information that they have learned (Dowding et al., 2019). Mind maps help the students understand the structure of language and support the ability of the student to incorporate new words of the language they have learned. SQ3R is appropriate in helping the students identify the important aspects of the language that they need to place more emphasis on when learning the language (SQ3R, n.d.). The more the student understands and remembers different aspects of the language, the higher the chances of recalling the language.

There are different factors that teachers consider when choosing the right Mind maps and SQ3R techniques to use depending on age, interest, capabilities, and the level of the student. The first step is the survey to know the capabilities of the student and the content the student is learning (SQ3R, n.d.). The teachers understand the students more based on past experiences; therefore, the teachers know the capabilities of the students. The students choose the areas they are interested in, and then the teachers guide the students in pursuing their passion (Dowding et al., 2019). The teachers apply the strategies depending on the characteristics of the student being taught. Students of different ages and levels are treated differently because of their ability to follow instructions.

There are different strategies that are used by teachers to teach different levels of students, the strategy that is appropriate for beginner-intermediate level is the visual style and verbal strategy where the teacher uses pictures, graphs, and diagrams to make the learner remember what they are taught about (Dowding et al., 2019). The intermediate/ advanced level would require sensory in-mind maps and an intuitive SQ3R strategy, The strategy used concrete and practical teaching methods to make the learners theorize and become innovative by using the information and theoretical knowledge to become innovative (SQ3R, n.d.). The advanced level requires sequential mapping and global SQ3R, where they require the information to be presented in an orderly manner that make them interpret their information on their own.

The creativity strategy would be the most appropriate for use the intuitive approach of learning that entails applying theoretical information to develop innovations on matters taught in theory (Dowding et al., 2019). The learning strategies would help in improving reading comprehension and study skills by using appropriate strategies depending on the material that one is reading. The study skills will be improved by embracing the strategy that is appropriate for different reading materials.

Question Two

Learning is achieved through sensing, intuition, verbal and visual, and the preferred learning style varies among learners. The most common learning style is visual, as it helps them relate to pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, films, written information, and notes (Felder & Soloman, 2000). Visual learners are advantaged as they effectively learn the information presented verbally as well as visually. However, in colleges, the majority of learning is verbally administered, making the learning ineffective compared to when administered through visual presentations. A good learner, however, should have the ability to process both verbal and visual information as these are the two common combinations. In a class with both active, visual, and verbal learners, a balance should be maintained to ensure that they all achieve the maximum benefits of information processing.

Students need to get an equivalent learning experience in the classroom, which can be achieved through different learning activities. Active learning is important to adult learners, hence the criticality of adopting activities that engage them in the learning process (Felder & Soloman, 2000). For active adult learners, an activity such as think-pair-share helps the learners understand and process the information. Think-pair-share helps the students to reflect on their prior knowledge or beliefs and share it with their peers. Think-pair-share starts by first thinking individually, then pairing with a peer to discuss the concept, and then sharing the conversation with their table group and finally with the entire group. This is an Interactive learning strategy that allows the learners to engage, which subsequently leads to improved exam scores.

Reflective learning activities provide an opportunity for thought articulation and act as a bridge in the process of learning. One of the activities that promote adult reflective learning is the assignment of reflective essays (Felder & Soloman, 2000). Adult learners, such as those in colleges, are provided with essay questions at the beginning of the semester, and they are required to submit several written essays in the term. Some of the reflective essays are on the course content, thus providing a chance to evaluate the learner's understanding. This learning style appeals to reflective learners.

On the other hand, intuitive learners prefer information that is original and oriented towards theory (Felder & Soloman, 2000). Such learners can be helped to conceptualize a structure that meets their demands. Intuitive learners should be provided with opportunities that gear start this mental process. The effectiveness of this learning process also depends on the absence of cognitive biases, hence the need for a learning environment free from subconscious judgments.

References

Balatero, M. (2018). Principles of Adult Learning. Canadian Literacy and Learning Network. Retrieved 16 June 2020, from http://www.literacy.ca/professionals/professional-development-2/principles-of-adult-learning/.

Dowding, M., Mugridge, T., Swift, C., Jackson, K., Hancock, J., & Bell, S. et al. (2019). Mind Maps®: – A Powerful Approach to Note-Taking. Mindtools.com. Retrieved 16 June 2020, from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm.

Felder, R. M., & Soloman, B. A. (2000). Learning styles and strategies. Retrieved from https://www.andrews.edu/services/ctcenter/career-center/learning-styles-strategies/learning-styles-and-strategies.pdf

Finlay, J. (2010). Andragogy (Adult Learning) [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLoPiHUZbEw