Part of this course asks you to think about the pedagogy of teaching - what is good teaching, how do children learn, and how do teachers get ideas across? What constitutes great teaching? . . . and then, how can a teacher reach all the students? Schools often use a "one size fits all" approach to teaching and learning. Has it been effective for you? Are there things you believe teachers could do to improve? Did you ever wish you could go at your own speed? Feel like you studied hard but a test asked the wrong questions?

You will have an opportunity to think about some of those questions and look at some of the pieces to the learning puzzle - and how technology can support learning.

There are many things that affect learning - time of day, temperature in the room, whether a student feels comfortable, is going at an easy pace or day dreaming. We know some students learn best when the material is presented orally, some learn better when allowed to read and absorb alone.

Students who are social want to talk about each idea with others. Some want supports and proofs to validate the material, others want to spend time assimilating ideas into a personal paradigm. Some students want to take time to make mind pictures, argue about personal feelings about the material with others,

and some are not ready to learn certain materials and get upset

or shut down constructive thinking

when the challenges feel overwhelming.

These factors are sometimes referred to as learning styles.  Each of us has learning strengths and subjects that are difficult to learn. Some of us find reading easy but struggle with math. Some of us are good at math and reading, but struggle with hands-on activities like wood shop or physical education. Some of us are intuitive learners. We read something and it immediately makes sense, while some of us have to make mind maps and review material several times to get the nuances.

Self Assessment.......Let's Begin.

Begin your self assessment by taking and scoring  three self assessments and affirm personal strengths in learning. 

The first assessment looks at the way you use your brain. It is referred to as a Brain Hemisphere Dominance Preference.

The second test, looks at four dimensions of learning.

The third test, the Keirsey, looks at personality and learning styles.

Assessment One:  The Brain Type Test

This assessment looks at how you use your brain. Do you rely on learning in ways that are considered left hemisphere or right hemisphere tasks? All of us use both kinds of reasoning, but some of us use one way of thinking more than others - and some of us have a very balanced way of utilizing the best of both parts of our brain.

Assessment Two: Index of Learning Styles

This test looks at learning styles. It provides a brief look at four dimensions in learning.

Assessment Three:  The Keirsey Tests

The Keirsey tests temperament and personality along several dimensions. It includes a look at some very fundamental ways that we differ in what we hope for ourselves and the kinds of things we find attractive. Once you receive the test score, the site also provides archetypes and examples of famous people who fit the personality profiles.