Learning Styles & Online Education

Life Skills 101

Learning Styles & Online Education

Learning Styles are as much a part of the Homeschooling Parents’ vocabulary as Ticonderoga Pencils and the jokes about denim jumpers. We love them and embrace them for a good reason. They help us understand our kids better and make homeschooling much more enjoyable.

The best way to use learning styles is to be aware of who tends towards which style and then offer up a variety of ways to learn, assess and review the lesson.

There are 4 Major Learning Styles

1. Reading & Writing
2. Visual
3. Auditory
4. Kinesthetic

Online Education

2020 brought to the fore online learning. It seems that the entire world went from a vague understanding of what online learning could be to jumping in with both feet- whether they liked it or not.

In the midst of this, seasoned online academies, like True North Homeschool Academy, continued to offer dynamic and interactive small-group classes that inspired students to learn, grow and develop. What was the difference between the awful virtual schools and online academies like True North Homeschool Academy?

Years of online teaching and learning experience, intentionality, and the SAMR Model.

The SAMR Model

The SAMR Hierarchy of Online Education was developed by a Harvard-trained Biologist, which makes sense, as Scientists are great at classifying information. And this Model is super helpful in understanding the various “types’ ‘ of online education. There are four aspects of this model. The first two are enhancement, and the last two are transformative.

The SAMR Model Explained

1. Substitution – Technology acts as a direct substitute with no functional change.
2. Augmentation – Technology acts as a direct substitute for functional improvement.
3. Modification – Technology allows for direct task redesign, particularly when it comes to group projects.
4. Reimagination – Technology allows for the creation of new tasks previously inconceivable.

Understanding the SAMR Model when purchasing online classes and investing in an online program is an important step in knowing if you are getting the programs that will engage and encourage active learning or is designed to be a passive experience.

Where do Learning Styles and the SAMR Model Meet?

Knowing our kids’ preferred learning method can help us make the best choices when it comes to online educational options, allowing us to evaluate options systematically and allocate resources strategically.

What to look for in online learning based on Learning Style

Read/ Write Students

These students learn best by reading and writing and can do well with many different kinds of online learning programs, pre-recorded and live.

What to Avoid: Be aware of online programs or teachers who talk really fast or don’t have time for the student to ask questions and clarify information for their notes.

Visual Learners

These students learn by watching so online classes that are visually well organized are going to really appeal to this type of learning.

What to Avoid: Online classes where the teacher simply lectures, with no visual graphics or virtual classroom with extension activities.

Auditory Learners

The auditory learner does great when there is a high level of auditory engagement in the online learning environment.

What to avoid: Online classes with a lot of music or noise but do not include content, the majority of the class contains visuals, and the students do not have a chance to ask questions or interact verbally with the teacher and fellow students.

Kinesthetic Learners

These types of learners prefer engaging, hands-on, project-based learning.

What to avoid: Online classes where students sit and passively listen or watch/

Once again, Learning Styles are a handy tool for homeschooling parents as we evaluate new tech and its uses in our homeschool. The SAMR Model, too, is a useful tool for evaluation as we consider the many online opportunities with the explosion of online learning materials! Understanding both models allows us to be savvy and discriminating consumers and strategize the best homeschooling program for our family!

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