How Students Learn

Throughout my schooling, I learned best when provided with hands-on learning experiences.  Working with tactile objects helped me visualize the problem or whatever it is that I was doing as an assignment.  Moving in the classroom and staying active kept me focused and ready to learn rather than sitting at a desk for six hours a day.  Even when I was in secondary school, I preferred science classes with experiments because it reinforced the lessons and gave me a chance to apply what I had learned.  I have been able to adapt to different teaching styles, but I still prefer hands-on learning experiences instead of lectures.

                                                

I think my learning style will help me to be a more active teacher in that my students will be encouraged to immerse themselves in their learning by working with materials related to the lessons.  I understand that young children need to be active and have a short attention span.  I will not have unrealistic expectations, and I will also recognize other learning styles.  Some students are visual and that can easily be included with hands-on learning experiences.  Some kids work better in groups or individually, so I will encourage them to learn the best way they can.

                                                

I think humans need some type of reward as motivation, but each person's reward could be totally different.  Some people may want a prize reward while others are rewarded by knowing they did their best.  For example, some students study and work hard for the pure enjoyment of learning while others strive for a specific grade or bonus points.  Everyone is motivated by something that they feel is rewarding, but it varies across the population, and it can change with age, experience, and circumstance.