Getting+to+Know+Students

Who are today's kids and what do they need to know and be able to do to ensure their success (and ours) in the future?

"They instinctly turn first to the Net to communicate, understand, learn, find, and do many things...You talk on the phone and check your email; to them email is old-school. They use the phone to text incessantly, surf the web, find directions, take pictures and make videos and collaborate. They seem to be on Facebook every chance they get ... Instant messaging or Skype is always running in the background. And what's with those video games? How can someone paly World of Warcraft for five straight hours?" - Don Tapscott - Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation Is Changing Your World.

The concept of learning styles builds on the idea that all individuals have a different way of learning. Matching teaching styles to learning styles may create a greater effect on learning. It is true that our classes consist of students with a (wide) variety of learning preferences, the optimal instruction style should be balanced, meaning that a wide range of learning styles is acknowledged and facilitated. If this is not the case, some students will always feel out of place, which will minimize learning, while others won’t be challenged in their current learning habits.

Here are some blackline masters to create learning profiles for your classes from Karen Hume's book Start Where They Are - 


 * Learning Plans for Exam Preparation **

It's that time of year again. Time for students to create a learning plan in preparation for taking their final eams. Many students don't know how to study for exams. They don't realize that having a learning plan will make studying more effective and help them get better outcomes. The following learning paln helps them structure their exam or test preparation and helps them achieve better results. If you have completed the various learning profiles and have talked about the different earning styles, students should already be aware of which strategies are useful for which learning styles. Now students can create a differentiated learning plan that meeds their specific needs.

**Learning Plan **

 * Name______________________ Subject:**

//Plan at least three study dates and times.// //Organize the information you need to learn in any of the strategies below.// 1. Create a list of what you need to know.
 * Exam Date ________________________ Location:**
 * A. What I Need to Know**
 * Topics you have studied this semester || Key Points ||
 * 1 ||  ||
 * 2 ||  ||
 * 3 ||  ||
 * 4 ||  ||
 * B. When I’m Going to Study **
 * Date ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Time ||  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * C. How I’m going to Organize What I Need to Know**

2. Create a graphic organizer for what you need to know.

3. Use mnemonics to help you remember what you need to know, eg BEDMAS

4. Draw a picture of what you need to know.

5. Other _______________

//Choose at least two methods to help you remember the information. Refer to the strategies for each learning style in the online article above.// Examples- 1. Draw pictures so you can see the info in your mind.(Visual learners )
 * D. How I’m Going to Remember What I Need to Know.**

2. Highlight important information in notes. (Visual learners)

3. Read the material aloud so you can hear it. (Auditory learners)

4. Listen to someone read the material to you. (Auditory learners)

5. Write the material out repeatedly and read it aloud as you are writing it out. (Kinesthetic and auditory learners)

6. Walk around the room while you are reading the material aloud. (Kinesthetic and auditory learners)

//Choose any method of self-testing and submit the self-test.// 1. Answer questions from examples in your text books.
 * E. How will I Know That I’ve Learned What I Need to Know**

2. Answer questions from your homework.

3. Answer questions from other students.

4. Other_____________________________________