The ability to learn is instilled
within every child, yet every child learns through different methods. It is the
duty of the teacher and resources of the classroom to bridge the learning gap
between students. Therefore, a classroom that facilitates the best learning
environment is one that stimulates a child’s thinking and imagination. This
stimulation can derive from the four different learning modalities: visual,
auditory, tactile and kinesthetic as described by Marilee Sprenger in Differentiation through Learning Styles and Memory. By making the learning environment
interactive, with regards to the four learning modalities, the student will
venture into new methods of learning. The classroom itself will function as a
facilitator to open the minds and imaginations of the child. By incorporating
the four modalities and interactive classroom into my teaching philosophy, the
retention rate of information taught will increase. The student will become
more successful and have a higher aptitude for learning as they advance.
From an aesthetic, or visual,
point of view the classroom should have plenty of windows to allow for natural
light to filter through. It has been documented that students who learn and
study in rooms filled with natural sunlight stay connected and absorb the
information given by the teacher. The walls should display visually stimulating
colors and images that pertain to the grade and subject such as graphs,
pictures and maps. As an art teacher, my room will focus on key artists and the
artistic process. The key visual element to my art room will be copies of
artist portraits rendered in their typical style coupled with very brief
biographies. For example, my image of Picasso will be a self-portrait rendered
in his Cubist style. I will also incorporate geographical maps to show the
countries the artists are working in and demonstrate how stylistic movements
move from country to country. If the space allows, I would also create several
small posters that detail different artistic media and the main artists that
employed them. These resources that will be showcased in my art classroom will
cater to those who learn best through the visual modality.
It is also important for students
to acknowledge and understand that the classroom is for learning. By having a
wide variety of books to supplement the teaching instruction, children will
have another venue for learning. Coupled with meeting the needs of the tactile
learners, books also serve as a visual stimulator for learning. Books grant
accessibility to information that is lost on our technologically driven
generation. While a modern classroom equipped with the latest teaching tools is
desirable, it is not necessary in its entirety. There is something to be lost
by taking books out of a classroom. The connection to the written word is vital
for the learning process. As an art teacher, I believe the invention of the
printing press is still an accomplishment to be celebrated. By having art books
that detail different periods, artists, and techniques the students will gain
an understanding of not only the material but, an appreciation for the book
they are holding. While this hands-on experience will benefit my tactile
learners, it will also demonstrate that every book is a work of art in and of
itself.
To meet the needs of my
kinesthetic learners, I would create a hands on activity that required movement
around the classroom. As an art teacher, this modality will be at the top of my
methodology pyramid. Each time I give a lesson an artwork will be created.
Through this creation the student will tap into every learning modality by
first listening to instruction, gathering materials, looking to my example, and
then creating their own work of art.
Lastly, the traditional method of
teaching will fill the last component of the four learning modalities. The
auditory learner will be addressed through lecture style teaching that will be
given before the students create their artwork. This part of the lesson will be
relatively shorter without sacrificing the integrity of the information to be
given. The information manifests into either an artist biography, background on
style, or artistic process. To promote my interactive learning environment, I
would allow students to raise their hand and ask questions at any time. By
asking for students input, I allow for more dialogue and less lecture. In order
for the students to ask questions they must first be engaged with the
lesson. Now the classroom will
take on more give and take qualities by insuring the attention of all the
students.
The successful teacher cannot
instruct a class by only employing one or two of the teaching modalities
because not every learning method will be covered. It would be inevitable that
some students would fall through the cracks. As a successful educator, I have
found that all of the learning
modalities must be covered. Howard Gardner's Eight Frames of Mind act as the unifier for the four learning modalities. His chart of skill-sets provide the frameworks for the four learning modalities. By combining these two theories for successful education, I believe I can effectively impact and instruct my students.
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