Discover Your Learning Style with Reflective Blogging

1. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 First Semester Unit 2 Lesson 4 Study and Writing Skills

2. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 OBJECTIVE(S): By the end of the lesson, students will have: discussed learning styles and identified their own • found out about the use of a reflective blog • read for specific information and inferred them • created their own reflectiveblog. •

3. Think! What's Your Learning Style? Why do we need to know our learning style? Read the following text to find out the answer! Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

4. What's Your Learning Style? There are three basic types of learning styles. The three most common are visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic. To learn, we depend on our senses to process the information around us. Most people tend to use one of their senses more than the others. Today's lesson will help you determine which of these learning styles you rely on the most. And knowing your learning style can help be a better learner, it will help you find out ways to make you learn better. There is a series of 16 questions that are related to the three main learning styles. Read the question and select the answer that closest fits your answer. Don't think about the questions too much. Go with your first choice. After you answer each of these questions, tabulate your total number of a’s, b’s and c’s. Sometimes people have two or three that all have about the same number of choices. Some people depend on two or more types of learning styles. It is not unusual to use different learning styles for different tasks. That's why people can respond so differently to the same thing. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

5. For these questions, choose the first answer that comes to mind and click on a, b, or c. Question 1 Question 3 When you study for a test, would you rather When you work at solving a problem do you a) read notes, read headings in a book, and look at diagrams and illustrations. a) make a list, organize the steps, and check them off as they are done b) have someone ask you questions, or repeat facts silently to yourself. b) make a few phone calls and talk to friends or experts c) write things out on index cards and make models or diagrams. c) make a model of the problem or walk through all the steps in your mind Question 2 Question 4 Which of these do you do when you listen to music? When you read for fun, do you prefer a) a travel book with a lot of pictures in it a) Daydream (see things that go with the music) b) a mystery book with a lot of conversation in it b) Hum along c) a book where you answer questions and solve problems c) Move with the music, tap your foot, etc. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

6. For these questions, choose the first answer that comes to mind and click on a, b, or c. Question 5 Question 7 To learn how a computer works, would you rather What kind of restaurant would you rather not go to? a) watch a movie about it a) One with the lights too bright. b) listen to someone explain it b) One with the music too loud. c) take the computer apart and try to figure it out for yourself. c) One with uncomfortable chairs. Question 6 Question 8 You have just entered a science museum, what will you do first? Would you rather go to a) an art class a) Look around and find a map showing the locations of the various exhibits. b) a music class c) an exercise class b) Talk to a museum guide and ask about exhibits. c) Go into the first exhibit that looks interesting, and read directions later. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

7. For these questions, choose the first answer that comes to mind and click on a, b, or c. Question 9 Question 11 Which are you most likely to do when you are happy? When you see the word "d - o - g", what do you do first? a) Think of a picture of a particular dog a) Grin b) Say the word "dog" to yourself silently b) Shout with joy c) Sense the feeling of being with a dog (petting it, running with it, etc.) c) Jump for joy Question 10 Question 12 If you were at a party, what would you be most likely to remember the next day? When you tell a story, would you rather a) write it a) The faces of the people there, but not the names b) tell it out loud c) act it out b) The names but not the faces c) The things you did and said while you were there Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

8. For these questions, choose the first answer that comes to mind and click on a, b, or c. Question 13 Question 15 What is most distracting for you when you are trying to concentrate? When you aren't sure how to spell a word, which of these are you most likely to do? a) Visual distractions a) Write it out to see if it looks right b) Noises b) Sound it out c) Other sensations like, hunger, tight shoes, or worry c) Write it out to see if it feels right Question 14 Question 16 What are you most likely to do when you are angry? Which are you most likely to do when standing in a long line at the movies? a) Scowl a) Look at posters advertising other movies b) Shout or "blow up" b) Talk to the person next to you c) Stomp off and slam doors c) Tap your foot or move around in some other way Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

9. Total your a’s, b’s and c’s. Three Different Learning Styles If you scored mostly b's, you may have an auditory learning style. You learn by hearing and listening. Auditory Learners If you scored mostly a's you may have a visual learning style. You learn by seeing and looking. Visual Learners Auditory learners tend to sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front. They hum or talk to themselves or others when bored. If you are an auditory learner, you may not coordinate colours or clothes, but can explain what you are wearing and why. They can acquire knowledge by reading aloud and remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't, they have difficulty in reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics). Visual learners take numerous detailed notes and tend to sit in front and usually they are neat and clean. These learners like to see what they learn and prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinaesthetic distraction. They often close their eyes to visualize or remember something. Also they benefit from illustrations and presentations that use colour. When they are bored they find something to watch and find passive surroundings ideal. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

10. If you had mostly c's, you may have a kinaesthetic learning style. You learn by touching and doing. Kinaesthetic Learners Kinaesthetic learners need to be active and take frequent breaks. They speak with their hands and with gestures. They always remember what was done, but have difficulty in recalling what was said or seen. They rely on what they can directly experience or perform and usually find reasons to tinker or move when bored. Activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn, so they enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials. Kinaesthetic learners prefer sitting near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around, and they are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience. They usually communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

11. Think! Now since you know what is your learning style, can you think of things you would do to help you learn better? Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

12. What is a blog? What does the adjective “reflective” means? Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

13. A REFLECTIVE BLOG It is a good idea when you are studying English to write a reflective blog. Writing gives you thinking time and helps you organise your thoughts, feelings and ideas. It also helps you to track your progress and development. In other words, writing can help you become a better learner. When you are studying English it’s helpful to write a reflective blog. It’s a way to practice writing and it gives you ideas to organise your thoughts and feelings. And when you read it again it shows you how your writing and language have progressed as a learner. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

14. Read the reflective blog below. It’s All me Hello! I’m Sandy and I’m at McGill University in Montreal, Canada... .‘ At the moment, as a part of my programme, I’m studying at Paris, France since February. Wednesday April 3rd Tuesday April 2nd Saturday March 29th There was a trip to the Louvre again today. I fell in love with this museum, the paintings there are amazing, and the structures of the museum is great mixture between modern and old. I realized that seeing painting in real is different than on the internet or in books, the size and details just take your breath away and you stand in admiration. It’s like they are alive! Afterwards, I studied with a friend for the exams that are starting next week on History and culture. I really like the way this city looks like at night, no wonder it’s called city of lights! As soon as the sun sets, Paris comes alive with lights especially the Champs-Elysees street, which makes a walk all through it very beautiful and romantic. The street is full of restaurants, cafes and shops for everyone. When I first arrived I was mesmerized with the scene, and still have the same feeling every time the lights go on. To think of it, it kind of adds up for Paris being the most visited destination in Europe! Right now, I’m painting for my modern art class. I never thought I would like painting. At first I did it as a dare, then the smell of paints bothered me a lot, not to mention the stains! Until I spent more time in this class, I started to like it and I discovered I’m almost good at painting, I even made few pieces that caught the eye of my instructor. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

15. Answer these questions. 1 When did Sandy come to France? In February 2 What did Sandy do on Wednesday? A trip to Louvre and then she studied with a friend 3 What can you see at night in Paris? Lights every where Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

16. What do you write about in a reflective blog? In a reflective blog you can write about: things you do. things you see/hear. things you like/don’t like. things you are thinking about, difficulties, problems or concerns. things that change in your life. Can you find some of the previous things in Sandy’s blog? Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

17. Possible Answers Things you do: trip to the Louvre and a walk all through the Champs-Elysees street is very beautiful and romantic. Things you see/hear: Paintings and lights of Paris. Things you like/don’t like: painting. Things you are thinking about, difficulties, problems or concerns: skills in painting. Things that change in your life: visiting art museums and studying painting Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

18. Linkers Look at the linking words until, at first, then, at the moment and afterwards in the blog and study them, then choose the best word to complete these sentences. 1 At first / Until I was sad and didn’t know what to do. At the moment / Then I figured out a solution. 2 I’m having a great time at first / at the moment. 3 At first / At the moment, I couldn’t kick a curve ball but until / then the coach showed me how to do it. 4 I had a very long meeting today. I felt exhausted afterwards / at first and took a nap. 5 I didn’t use a calculator at first / then, but then / at the moment I realised that it was better than counting in my head. 6 I was having fun until / afterwards the my older brother came! Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

19. Write your own reflective blog. Use the plan below to help you write you blog. 1. Start by writing about an experience you had. Today/Yesterday I …. During/While …, I …. 2. They write about what you have learned from the experience. This taught me that …. I also learned that …. 3. After some time-‐ ‐ a couple of days or weeks, reflect on/evaluate what you wrote. Did your writing skills improve? Did your English improve? Tip: use Sandy’s blog as a model Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

20. Self Assessment I write an introduction about an experience I provide things I learnt from the experience I provide thigs to do in the experience I use linkers. I used the appropriate punctuation marks & the right capitalization. I revised my paragraph. I reflected on my writing. Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills

21. Thank You! Eng101 New Language Leader Level 1 2.4 Study & Writing Skills