Collaborating with Different Learning Types

Reflecting back on my own experiences, I feel collaborating is necessary, where lessons and activities can be created in a way that makes learning easy for everyone. Not only is it important for teachers to work together as Katrina mentioned, but students also need to be able to work together with opposite learning types; that way, the extroverts can teach the introverts—vice versa--as long as they learn to be cooperative with each other. As it was mentioned earlier in the semester, it would be a good idea to partner up the two types in group or partner projects, so the extroverts can help introverts with presentations, and help them understand the work more efficiently. To have effective lessons and activities, teachers need to be aware of the different learning types in their classrooms, who requires more time, and a mix of strategies in each lesson; if a lesson just has the teacher standing and teaching with a paper in hand, then half of the students will probably struggle because they either do not understand or need more resources. I know I am definitely the type of learner who requires something visual, where someone would have to write down directions—or else I would be lost. I have noticed teachers would write down what the students have to do on the board, so they do not forget and understand what needs to be done.

I volunteer in a grade one class, and I have at times noticed a good mix of the personality types working together. Whenever the quick students are finished their work, some of them will work with those needing more help, because they do not understand some of it. The teacher would always encourage students who usually finish fast, and may be extroverts, to help their classmates. Furthermore, there will be times when the extroverted student will get impatient because their introverted student is taking too long to answer a given question, so he or she will answer instead; then, the student who is still thinking will feel dominated or put down because he or she was not able to give an answer. By knowing and understanding the different types, teachers can “understand and accept differences. It also helps us to meet the needs of others,” (Mamchur, p. 83). Students can also learn to accept the fact that their friends do not learn at the same pace as them, so they extra help or encouragement.