Learning Styles & Career Success Part 4: Processing Information Together Kathleen E. High, M.Ed., GCDF Adjunct Career Counselor Career Planning Center, Cypress College Workshop Overview There are many ways to teach and learn, and this workshop introduces participants to many theories related to how people take in, process, and apply new knowledge. This workshop (4 th of 4) emphasizes theories that are based on the idea that learning occurs through engagement with other people: Scaffolding, Problem-Based Learning, Learning Communities/Cohort groups, Teaching Others and Mentoring Learning Styles are introduced. Participants will receive tips for utilizing these learning theories in their education. Learning Objectives for this Workshop (Slide 1 of 2) Participants will be able to: Recognize three categories of learning styles Discover that learning occurs when engaging with other people Recall five types of collaborative learning styles Understand Scaffolding (Vygotskys Zone of Proximal Development) theory Recognize Problem-Based Learning theory as it relates to learning Identify learning communities and cohorts as teaching methods Learning Objectives for this Workshop (Slide 2 of 2) Participants will also be able to: Discover that teaching others is an effective method for learning Recognize mentoring relationships as a learning style Identify helpful resources for learning in various collaborative learning environments Discover additional resources available on campus relating to learning styles What is YOUR Learning Style? Did you take the following assessment to identify your preferred learning style during the first workshop? If not, please do so now because we are about to discuss the results. Career CruisingUser Name: cypress Password: Click on Assessments tab on the menu Click on Learning Styles Inventory Create a user name and password Take the assessment Lets Begin... Many theories on how to teach and learn Most learning styles theories fall into 1 of 3 categories: 2.Taking Information In Information Gathering & Processing 3.Thinking About Information Mental Processing 4.Processing Information Together Collaborative Learning In Workshop #1Mentioned Three Types of Learning Theories: This Workshop Focuses On: The Third Type of Theories: 3.Processing Information Together Collaborative Learning Learning Theories: Collaborative Learning Styles Working together: Scaffolding Problem-Based / Project-Based Learning Learning Communities/Cohorts Teach Others What You Are Trying to Learn Mentoring Scaffolding Student can learn more with the help of a teacher than on his/her own Teacher provides tasks, guidance and feedback as necessary while student learns Using Scaffolding Remember, teachers want to help impacting students lives is the highlight of their job Have a teachable spirit Dont be defensive when the teacher gives constructive criticism Use constructive criticism as feedback for where you can improve Pay attention in class and follow instructions If you are confused about material, assignments or expectations, then ask for help Problem-Based Learning Also known as Project-Based Learning Create a driving question that students must answer through completing the project (Example: How do you identify the cost to build a house?) Develops problem solving skills Done in a small group (6-10 people) Using Problem-Based Learning Ask for examples of how this has been done in the past Review their question(s), methods for finding the answer and their outcome(s) Work with teammates who are responsible and committed Apply the project/assignment to a topic that interests you Brainstorm topic ideas, create roles and a task list, then delegate tasks to team members Expect unexpected problems to come up Ask for help and feedback if you have trouble Learning Communities/Cohorts Learning Communities / Cohort Groups The same group of students take several classes together Simultaneously (2 or more classes in the same academic term) and/or Sequentially (The same series of classes over several academic terms) Purpose is to encourage student learning, friendship, collaboration, networking, retention, and mutual support among the students within the group Using LCs and Cohorts Get classmates contact information immediately Get to know classmates and find a source of connection with as many people as possible Socialize with classmates outside of school Make friends with classmates you will be spending a lot of time together Dont be afraid to ask for help when needed Form study groups (4-6 responsible people) to study, prepare for exams, comparisons, and reviews Expect conflicts to occur, but work through them Join a different group if you truly cant relate or your group is too irresponsible and unreliable Teach Others Most effective way to learn: Take the time to teach others what you are trying to learn: Recite the material to a friend/family member Explain to someone else what you are learning Demonstrate the idea Teaching others: Forces you to register what you do not yet understand Forces you to articulate your thoughts Mentoring Mentoring: A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person Some teachers will assign mentors, or expect students to find mentors, as they learn Using Mentoring as a Learning Style Mentoring: Respect his/her time and boundaries Be teachable if they offer constructive criticism Get to know your mentor as a person. Take the time to learn about their journey and experiences related to what you are learning Share with him/her what you are challenged by. They may have experienced something similar Be prepared to ask questions and/or have a topic to discuss when you meet Ask him/her for challenging lessons learned Now, Lets Apply This To You How do you best learn? How can you improve your learning efforts? How do you adapt to different teaching styles? Are assignment instructions confusing? Still want more help? Counseling Classes can help Visit the Career Planning Center See a Career Counselor Use our resources How Do You Best Learn? How do you find out? Take Learning Style Assessments: Sensory Learning Styles Inventory Reminder: You just took a Learning Styles Inventory. What were your results? Visual Auditory Kinesthetic Kolb Learning Style Inventory (Phases of Learning) How Do You Best Learn? How do you find out? (Continued) Ask: What styles do you enjoy using? Identify Prior Learning Successes What helped you learn? Identify Prior Learning Challenges What interfered with your prior learning? How Can You Improve Your Learning Efforts? Identify: Your learning style preferences What you want to learn Why you want to learn it How you will learn it How you will determine if you learned it How Can You Improve Your Learning Efforts? (Continued) Find alternative learning options if the situation isnt working for you Adapt to the situation to develop your learning skills Consider joining a learning community: Puente Legacy Honors Still Want More Help? Take Counseling Classes Visit the Career Planning Center See a Career Counselor Counseling classes to help you learn to succeed Counseling classes: COUN 150: Academic & Life Success A great class to help students get to know themselves and what they want from college COUN 140: Educational Planning If you know what you want to major in, this class will help you identify and lay out the classes you need to reach that goal Counseling classes help you learn to succeed Counseling classes: COUN 141: Career Exploration Quickly (in 8 weeks) get to know yourself and identify potential career options COUN 151: Career & Life Planning Get to know yourself and identify potential career options and how to prepare for that potential career Visit the Career Planning Center Talk to a Career Counselor for help Identifying: Your preferred learning styles Your personality type Why you may be struggling with the classes in your major A major/career goal that is compatible with your learning style Why you dont like you current major Visit the Career Planning Center Talk to a Career Counselor for help Identifying: (Continued) Personality, Interests, Values, Preferred Skills, Preferred Learning Styles How to develop your learning strategies and styles How these traits translate into major / career options Class requirements for specific career options you are considering Visit the Career Planning Center Talk to a career counselor: (Continued) Get a deeper understanding how to use personality to help with learning Identify other barriers to success, and get referrals to appropriate resources Visit the Career Planning Center Talk to our friendly and helpful Career Center staff for help with: Using the Career Planning Centers resources Identifying resources to help with study skills Identifying resources that reveal preferred training styles of different industries Identifying additional campus support offices that address other concerns you have Visit the Career Planning Center Use our resources: Books or print resources: Effective study methods Learning Style preferences Personality-based learning styles Visit the Career Planning Center Use our resources: Online resources: Identify industry- or career-based learning preferences Career-related minimum education requirements and options Career Cruising database offers a learning styles assessment Almost done... As a result of participating in the Online Workshop, you have: Learned why it is important to know your learning styles Identified many different teaching/learning styles Acquired a wealth of Tips & Tricks to use when your style doesnt match your teachers style Now it is time to learn about a few additional resources and finish this Online Workshop. Almost done... As a result of participating in the Online Workshop, you have: (Continued) Identify how personality affects learning preferences Receive tips for improving their learning efforts Develop adaptive skills for dealing with different teaching styles Identify helpful resources for adapting to different teaching styles Now it is time to learn about a few additional resources and finish this Online Workshop. Explore additional resources to help with learning styles: Online Workshops: Are you in the right major? Handouts from Career and Student Success Workshops Resource Library of books and computer programs Other Resources to assist you: Career Counselors Friendly and helpful staff Career Classes Career Assessments Career Resource Library Career-related web-based software Visit the Career Planning Center Thank you for participating in this Online Workshop! This Online Workshop has been presented by the Cypress College Career Planning Center Location: Second Floor, Student Center Building #19 Phone: (714) Website:Facebook: Cypress College Career Planning Center https://www.facebook.com/CPCCypress?ref=hl Pinterest: CPCCypressTwitter: https://twitter.com/CPCCypress Instagram: CPCcypress References Learning Theories: Learning Styles OverviewProblem-Based LearningBased_Learning Scaffolding (Vygotskys Zone of Proximal Development) References and Sources: California Career CafDoing What Matters for Jobs and the EconomyEllis, D. (2013). Becoming a Master Student (14 th Ed.), Boston: Cengage. Feldman, R. (2014). POWER learning (6th Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. References and Sources: Google Images https://images.google.com/ Zachary, L. J. (2000). The Mentors Guide: Facilitating effective learning relationships. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.