Archive for June, 2011

Reading Programs Can Provide a Good Foundation

Posted on June 30, 2011 | Education Reference.

he key to success in anything is a good solid foundation upon which to build. The foundation is going to set the stage for everything that comes after it. When it comes to education the needed foundation for learning is reading. The ability to read something, understand it, and retain that information is at the core of the entire learning process. For those students that are having problems and are struggling to lay down this foundation solidly assistance can be found in the form of reading programs. If you or your child are having problems with reading it is vital to get help as soon as possible to avoid compounding the problem and having it affect the ability to study and learn in other disciplines. Reading programs can be a good way to shore up this fundamental skill.

Having trouble reading can create a number of problems when it comes to school work:

  1. Students who are having trouble with their reading skills fall behind easily and as they continue to slip further behind their classmates it becomes more and more difficult to catch up. A good reading program will teach your child not only how to read but how to read in such a way that the information can be understood and retained for later use.
  2. Students who have reading difficulties also tend to suffer from more self-esteem issues. They are afraid to ask questions in class for fear of looking stupid in front of their friends and other classmates. Asking questions is second in importance to the learning process right behind reading. They tend to have more disciplinary problems in school, using bad behavior to cover up their academic deficiencies. They act like they are getting bad grades because it is the cool thing to do.
  3. Students who find reading a struggling experience also tend to get overwhelmed easily and quickly reach the point where they are ready to give up. This can lead to a lifelong fear of failure and criticism leaving them completely unmotivated to attempt anything that might leave them in a vulnerable position in front of other people. Success later in life can be sabotaged quite early by deficiencies in reading abilities.

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that reading difficulties may also be a sign of a more serious underlying issue. Dyslexia and other learning difficulties are often hard to diagnose until a child gets older. Reading programs have specially trained tutors that may be able to spot any difficulties of this nature much sooner in a one on one setting that a teacher in a classroom just does not have the time to notice when dealing with a large group of students at the same time.

Everything begins with the core fundamentals as the essential starting point. Getting a good head start is important in assuring later success. Reading programs can provide this boost to get students back on track and up to speed with the rest of their classmates.

An Introduction To Learning Styles

Posted on June 28, 2011 | Education Reference.

We all have certain preferences when it comes to receiving information. Some of us like to learn exclusively by reading books, while others favour discussing ideas with other people to help themselves understand a topic or problem. Recognising what your preferences are is generally considered a good way to improve the way you perceive and process new information. It can be a very useful skill for someone still progressing through education.

This concept of “learning styles” has been a topic of much debate among educational professionals and academics over the years, with many different models and theories springing up as a result. One of the most popular models is the VARK model, which recognises three different types of learning style:

  • Visual – Refers to those who like to learn from written sources. This can include books, slideshows, charts and images.
  • Auditory – Refers to those who prefer to hear and talk about new information. This means that they typically favour educational formats such as lectures and seminars, with the former offering the chance to hear large amounts of information while the other facilitates discussion, debate and group consensus.
  • Kinesthetic – Refers to those who need to experience the subject they are being taught. This means they favour practical subjects where learning takes place through real-world applications of theoretical material and where the student is allowed to take a hands-on approach to the subject. Actual physical movement improves learning for people who favour this style.

These three learning styles cover a wide range of different educational activities, and most people will agree that they have preference for one or two styles over another. Knowing what your preferred learning style is can be very helpful, because it will help you tailor your own learning towards your strengths, subsequently making education more effective.

In order to help students recognise their learning preferences, it has been suggested that teachers should include in their lesson plans a variety of activities across the three styles. Encouraging an awareness of learning styles can also help students reflect more effectively on their own learning. Not only will they realise where their strengths lie but also their weaknesses, which will allow them to start to developing strategies to deal with the more challenging aspects of their education.

However, it is important to note that models of learning styles, including the VARK model, have received some criticism in recent years. One notable complaint has been that learning style theory implicitly suggests that we have one fixed or exclusive learning style to which we must adapt. This argument suggests that focusing too narrowly on “inherited” learning styles can actually damage our education, when really we should be developing learning strategies which will help us make the most out of each type of learning.

This argument highlights a popular misconception about learning styles being fixed and limiting. In fact, it is widely recognised that the most effective learners make use of all learning styles, responding to the demands and benefits of each to maximise their ability to receive and interpret new information. Perhaps the best approach that students can take is to recognize where they stand in relation to learning styles, so that they can tailor their education to make the most of their strengths while also working on their weaknesses. This will help them pursue a flexible and responsive attitude which, in turn, helps them get the most out of their education.