Discover your unique blend of the Multiple Intelligences and which VARK learning style best represents you –
One of the greatest challenges a teacher can face while instructing a class full of diverse and unique learners is to captivate the interest of each child, and deliver lessons in a meaningful way that ignites each students’ learning preference. During our most recent Professional Development day, our staff members attended a workshop regarding the many different styles of learning a child is capable of encompassing. Interestingly, both conveners of the workshop are teachers of different divisions (i.e. primary and secondary) here at Rowntree Montessori Schools. With that said, both teachers agreed on witnessing variations of each learning style amongst their class of learners regardless of their grade level, ability, or age range. Seeing how RMS focuses on Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education, where each child is encouraged to explore his or her learning environment independently and from a student-centered approach, the conveners of the workshop believe that understanding the different learning styles of each child will help promote overall learning and student achievement.
The workshop included the work of Howard Gardner, a prominent American Developmental Psychologist, who believes human beings possess at least 8 distinct forms of “intelligence”. Further, Gardner believes each person has a unique blend of the 8 intelligences, and each manifests itself at varying levels. The staff at RMS encourage you to take Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Test to determine what kind of learner you are.
In addition, the workshop included the work of Neil Fleming, a high school and university teacher from New Zealand, who developed the VARK learning styles model. The acronym VARK stands for the following: Visual Learning Style, Auditory Learning Style, Read/Write Learning Style, and Kinesthetic Learning Style. We welcome you to take a short online questionnaire to determine what type of learner you are according to the VARK Learning Styles Model:
The staff at RMS strives to reach the unique learning styles and needs of each student to ensure that all learners are able to both learn and demonstrate their learning in a way that best suits each individual. We have found that our best option as teachers is to use a variety of teaching techniques to give all students the best chance to succeed.
More details about Rowntree Montessori Schools’ approach to education can be seen by clicking here.
Please drop by any of our campuses for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm to learn more about the RMS private school community of which we are so proud. If you prefer, call to book an appointment for a personal tour anytime Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.
