Learning Styles That Affect Both Students and Teachers In All Teaching Fields

            In the field of teaching, there are many different students who each come with their own unique personalities. This is an important part of teaching because with this every student has their own type of learning style; just as each teacher has their own specific style of teaching. The three many areas that a teacher understand about a student and know about in general are cognitive, affective and physiological domains. Cognitive deals with different ways of perceiving, organizing, and retaining information. Affective focuses on the different levels of motivation to learn which includes attitudes, values, and emotional factors. This also includes whether or not a student has an internal or external locus. Internal means that a student knows they have control over their fate and can change their performance; whereas external means they do not take responsibility for behavior.  Physiology includes the nourishment and rest a child receives which in turn leads to a better learning environment.

            Other factors that can affect the learning style of a student include fields such as visual, kinesthetic, and auditory problems. There are helpful hints to help create the most beneficial environment for each student in these situations. Visual techniques deal with the textbooks, notes, and charts; including specifics like highlighting important information and students previewing chapters in the text book. Kinesthetic problems deal with having to plan for movement of the students throughout each class. This movement should be planned in order to avoid distractions and can involve using the techniques of memorizing information and doing educational activities. Lastly, auditory learning styles provide opportunities for students to recite the main points of a lecture. Encouraging students to study with friends and use audiotapes is also beneficial.  One additional factor that can affect the way in which a student learns and what their tendencies are in behavior and attitude is emotional intelligences. With an emotional intelligence, teachers can determine if a student is more likely to be stubborn, easily frustrated, and lonely or be adventurous, better adjusted, and more confident in adolescence.

            According to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is said to more accurately identify the diverse capabilities of human nature. There are eight different intelligences, but all of them are not necessarily seen in the school setting. These include logical-mathematical, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. Logical-mathematical is skills related to mathematical manipulations and problem solving. Linguistics refers to the sensitivity of sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words and the function of language. Bodily-kinesthetic focuses on the ability to handle objects skillfully and excel in physical abilities. Musical intelligences has to do with the ability to appreciate and value different musical styles as well as produce pitch and rhythm. Spatial is the ability to form mental models and be able to maneuver and operate using them. Interpersonal intelligences have the ability to respond and analyze the moods of other people. Intrapersonal focuses on the knowledge of an individual’s own feelings, needs, strengths, and weaknesses to guide behavior. Naturalists have an appreciation for the natural world and their place within. 

            All of the different intelligences and learning styles mentioned above affect each individual classroom for a teacher as well as independent student situations. As a future teacher this information is very important for figuring out classroom management. It also gives a lot of very pertinent information on how to deal with students with certain learning styles and what is most successful.