Does differentiation by learning style improve attainment by increasing student’s confidence through using their preferred methodology? Stephanie McManamon – English Learning Leader
Introduction
I persevered and focused on Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences and appealing to different methods, preferred learning styles, to improve attainment.
This Action Project focused on differentiation by students’ learning styles. In the English department there are excellent resources and skills; however, they are mostly tailored towards visual learners. ‘At (my) school we treat each student as an individual’. Within my subject area I questioned whether I did this as successfully as I possibly could when teaching to, and differentiating by, learning styles. I considered using a Key Stage 3 group for this Action Project, but I felt it was too early for students to categorise themselves into a learning style. This could result in students not adapting their styles accordingly when needed in other lessons; therefore I decided to solely focus on my two Year 10 groups. I then compiled a list of resources used within the department to teach the girls. The majority of resources and methods are tailored towards visual learners with some catered towards audio learners. I needed to use and create resources that appealed to all learners, especially kinaesthetic learners. I also gave students a choice of how they could complete tasks based on their preferred learning method. I researched scholarly journals and articles in relation to the benefits of differentiating by learning style. I discovered that it does increase students’ self-esteem and confidence; however, it has not been documented in recent studies that it increases attainment.
Findings Auditory learners prefer to: • Learn through listening: verbal lectures, discussions etc. • Interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to pitch, tone, speed and other nuances. • Read aloud their notes, recording themselves and playing the tape back to themselves. • Perform speeches and carry out presentations. • Use musical jingle and mnemonics to aid memorisation. • Use verbal analogies to demonstrate their point. Kinaesthetic learners prefer: • Learning through moving, doing, and touching. • A hands-on approach, exploring the physical world around us. • Bright colours to highlight reading material. • Skimming through reading material first before sitting down to read it in detail. • To work in a standing position.