As educational leaders we often seek out ways to encourage staff to consider what type of learners exist in their classrooms and figure out ways to tap into those different energies and approaches. How often do we consider how our staff approaches new learning? Even more important, how often do we consider our approaches to staff development and dialogue based on this approaches?
With some inspiration from @shellterrell and her Thirty Goals work I sent a short survey out to staff via our weekly memo. With the following infographic as a reference I asked the staff what kind of learner they thought they were most like.
Infographic from http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/type-of-learner-infographic/
The information that I received from my one question survey was extremely interesting and insightful.
- 4% of respondents identified themselves as auditory learners – tending to speak slowly, explaining things well, natural listeners, repeating things aloud, thinking linearly, reading slowly and preferring to hear, rather than read, information
- 12% of responsdents identified themselves as read and write leaners – learn and memorize things by writing and reading
- 32% of respondents identified themselves as kinesthetic learners – learning by doing and solving real-life problems, like hands-on approaches, can’t sit still for long, take breaks when studying
- 52% of respondents identified themselves as visual learners – tending to be fast talkers, learning by seeing charts and diagrams, needing quiet study time, may think in pictures, take detailed notes, like to sit at the front of the room
This simple survey sent via a Google form provided me with solid insight into how I might plan professional development differently for the staff at our school. Thanks for the idea @shellterrell!
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