Learning styles and online learning

Episode 99: Learning Styles & Online Education

Learning Styles are as much a part of the Homeschooling Parents vocabulary as Ticonderoga Pencils and the jokes about denim jumpers. We love and embrace them and for good reason. They help us understand our kids better and make homeschooling that much more enjoyable.

The best way to use learning styles is to be aware of who tends towards which style, and then offer up a variety of ways to learn, assess and review the lesson.

While the research shows that catering to a students learning style might not affect outcomes, understanding how our students best learn and retain information allows us to maximize our homeschooling dollars and time! Especially when it comes to a possible time and money commitment! Take a listen!

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This week’s episode is sponsored by True North Homeschool Academy.

True North Homeschool Academy offers 2nd-12th grade live online and self paced classes, including all Core Classes, Math, English, Science and History, 6 Foreign Langauges, including Latin, Spanish, German, French, Hebrew and ASL, and over 30 Electives- most are marketable, skill building electives, including Entrepreneurship, Career Exploration and more!

Major Learning Styles

  • Reading & Writing
  • Visual
  • Auditory
  • Kinesthetic

Online Education

2020 brought to the fore online learning. It seems that the entire world went from vague understanding of what online learning could be to jumping in with both feet- whether they liked it or not.

In the midst of this, seasoned online academies, like True North Homeschool Academy continued to offer dynamic and interactive, small group classes that inspired students to learn, grow and develop. What was the difference between the virtual schools that left a bad taste in everyone's mouth and online academies like True North Homeschool Academy that inspire and delight?

Years of online teaching and learning experience, intentionality and the SAMR Model.

The SAMR Model

The SAMR Hierarchy of Online Education was developed by a Harvard trained Biologist. This Model is helpful in understanding the various “types' ‘ of online education. There are four aspects of this model. The first two are enhancement and the last two are transformative.

The SAMR Model Explained

  • Substitution  – Technology acts as a direct substitute with no  functional change
  • Augmentation – Technology acts as a direct substitute, with functional improvement
  • Modification  – Technology allows for direct task redesign, particularly when it comes to group projects
  • Reimagination – Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable.

Understanding the SAMR Model when purchasing online classes and investing in an online program is an important step in knowing if you are getting the type of program that will engage and encourage active learning or is designed to be a passive experience.

Where do Learning Styles and the SAMR Model Meet?

Knowing our kids' preferred learning method can help us make the best choices when it comes to online educational options, allowing us to evaluate options systematically and allocating resources strategically.

What to look for in online learning based on Learning Style

Read/ Write Students

These students learn best by reading and writing and can do well with many different kinds of online learning programs, pre-recorded and live.

What to Avoid: Be aware of online programs or teachers who talk really fast or don’t have time for the student to ask questions and clarify information for their notes.

Visual Learners

These students learn by watching so online classes that are visually well organized are gong to really appeal to this type of learning.

What to Avoid: Online classes where the teacher simply lectures, with no visual graphics or virtual classroom with extension activities.

Auditory Learners

The auditory learner does great when there is a high level of auditory engagement in the online learning environment.

What to avoid: Online classes that have a lot of music or noise but do not include content, majority of class is visuals, students do not have a chance to ask questions, or interact verbally with teacher and fellow students.

Kinesthetic Learners

These types of learners prefer engaging, hands-on project based learning.

What to avoid: Online classes where students sit and passively listen or watch/

Once again, Learning Styles are a handy tool for the homeschooling parents as we evaluate new tech and its uses in our homeschool. Fully understanding the SAMR Model in conjunction with our understanding how our children best learn allows us to spend our homeschooling time and money wisely!

Lisa Nehring
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