Comments for Still Trying Too

Comment on Not learning in style by Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:35:46 +0000

I can understand what you mean re:self-fulfilling prophecy; it reminds me of my own school days – I spent a lot of my free time with some friends who had been told by their teachers that they were “thick”, and so that’s what they believed of themselves; whereas they were much brighter and more interesting than most of the more academic type I shared my classes with.

Comment on Not learning in style by cliveadmin

cliveadmin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:37:58 +0000

As ever, J, well-argued and thoughtful observations, thank you. I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head with the idea that it’s the nature of the learning scenario that is the best indicator of what’s needed by way of a relevant and effective learning strategy, rather than the invariant application of some universal underlying learning style per se that is deemed to be the best strategy regardless of the nature of the learning challenge. For instance, if I wanted to learn to play darts then my instinct is that my best learning strategy would be to engage in a whole-hearted active learner style (physical, hands-on) and to start throwing a lot of darts and get some coaching to support the effort. It’s difficult to see the role for a logical approach (other than to do the sums!). Similarly, if I needed to learn to solve quadratic equations then I suspect that I’m better off engaging a logical, rational mindset to tackle the task, though that’s not to say that I wouldn’t use other techniques as well (visual metaphor, for instance).

It’s because I’m very much aware of my desire (and professional responsibility) to give my students the best support I can that I’ve come to question some aspects of teaching and learning that are often presented as a given. The reason for my interest is not so much that I can’t see that some people are genuinely predisposed to a particular way of working and learning but that they might come to adopt a belief that such a predisposition means that they come to think that that is always the best way to learn regardless of the nature of the task at hand. In essence, the insidious danger is that some will fully embrace their particular learning style label to the exclusion of other strategies and then use it as a means to sub-consciously decide that somethings are beyond them because ‘I don’t do logic/risk-taking/solitary…etc.’ It’s not hard to see how the labeling can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The great thing about the U101 module is that it provides both students and tutors with the tools they need to question things – even the validity of its own teachings. That seems an extremely healthy outcome to me!

Again, many thanks for your thoughts, J.

Comment on Not learning in style by Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:46:05 +0000

Other than naturally feeling crushed (my tongue in my cheek has that effect) that you have been teaching things you don’t yourself believe in, perhaps there is still some validity in at least being aware in different learning styles when it comes to marking your students.

As you say, the results of the learning style test don’t necessarily match with how one sees oneself, and I can well imagine that repeated tests give differing results, but I think that is as much down to the generality of the test and what particular learning scenario you have in mind when you answer the questions. ie. how one goes about learning to drive a car is different to how one goes about learning to play an instrument is different to how one goes about learning to do algebra, etc.

But at least as a tutor, being aware that people do have different approaches to their learning should make for fairer marking. How someone responds to a task may be in a totally different way to how you personally would go about it, but it could be just as valid a response. They might not be able to verbalise as well as they illustrate something with a drawing; or vice versa; but you as a tutor would at least be aware of that and shouldn’t have a bias (unless of course the task was specifically one or any of the others).

Comment on Even less intuitive by cliveadmin

cliveadmin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:59:45 +0000

That’s very kind of you, thank you.

Comment on Even less intuitive by April

April — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:01:08 +0000

Cool blog!

Comment on Painting over rust by cliveadmin

cliveadmin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:17:12 +0000

Big bruv – you are so kind; I’m honoured. But you may be mistaking an expression of concentration for battle fatigue! Get those old hog bristles out and start daubing again! Chin chin!

Comment on Painting over rust by plug103

plug103 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:44:45 +0000

Superb, bruv (and I mean the words as well as the painting)! Makes me want to give the old brush a go once more…

The light and colour is outstanding! And I swear you have actually caught an expression of studied concentration – it’s a bit alarming, actually…

Seriously enjoyed this post. Thank you.

Comment on Painting over rust by cliveadmin

cliveadmin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:05:41 +0000

No pressure to keep it up then!
Thank you for your kind words and thanks for great NY.

Comment on Painting over rust by jacquie

jacquie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:31:05 +0000

Fantastic its so real, you must do more as your talent is being wasted.

I cannot believe you did it so quickly i expect to see it framed and in a place of honour in your house, as it should be admired not hidden away.

Can’t wait to see the next one.

Enjoy your talent.

Hope to see you soon xxxxxxx

Comment on Painting over rust by cliveadmin

cliveadmin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:53:29 +0000

Thats really good dad!