Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Differentiated Learning is Kumon Learning



Last week we shared light on different areas of learning styles.  Being fascinated with the reason behind why we learn the way we do and what that means in terms of education, we began researching more in-depth, Differential Instruction.

As instructors it is our obligation and passion to guide children into a pleasant educational experience that will help them grow based on their pace and learning style.  Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs.  This could be anything from content, process, products or even the learning environment. 

Kumon reaches out to students and creates the most effective learning experience possible- this is known as differentiating instruction.  There are four elements that can be differentiated in order to help students learn and retain information.

1.  Content: What does the student need to learn and how will they view and retain the information?
2.  Process: How does the student understand the information?  Through Activities?
3.    Products: What are the projects that will help the student express what they have learned?    EX. Letters,     presentations, puppet shows.
4.    Learning Environment: How does the classroom look and feel to a student?
All of these elements contribute to how a child learns.  What elements do you need to differentiate?
Post Content, Process, Products or Learning Environment on our Facebook Page @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kumon-of-West-Worcester/272005642850078?sk=wall

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

How is your Child Learning?




Every child has a different method to comprehending and retaining information.  Grasping a child’s learning style enables parents and educators the knowledge of how to best present material so that it is effectively learned. 

There are four broad areas of learning style: Visual, Kinesthetic, Auditory and Tactile.





To help explain each learning style we have included a great article from Dr. Mary Ann Smialek www.maryannsmialek.com/resources/articles/how_learn.html.

Visual: These learners retain information from what they see.
  • ·       Take notes
  • ·       Close eyes to remember
  • ·       Better with face than names
  • ·       Learn more from illustrations and visual presentations
  • ·       Make a picture in their hand


Kinesthetic: Learn by doing.  Through experimenting and being involved these learners remember through a hands on experience. 
  
  • ·       Speak with hands and gestures
  • ·       Build things
  • ·       Body movements

Auditory: Learn from what they hear.  Names are easy to remember as well as lectures.
  • ·       Enjoy reading aloud
  • ·       Remembers best when verbalizing

Tactile: Using hands and fingers will help these individuals learn.  Through writing, drawing and doodling these learners are able to retain information.
  • ·       Enjoy designing new things
  • ·       Illustrates written work
  • ·       Sculpts and Paints to relax

Knowing and understanding a child’s learning style will be extremely useful when helping with homework or teaching a new concept.  The undivided attention at Kumon helps to focus on these styles and enable a child to learn at their own pace and style.