"Explanations of natural phenomena within a
traditional Native American context are often at odds with Western
scientific philosophy and what is taught in school science. Herein
lies a very real conflict between two distinctly different
worldviews: the mutualistic/holistic-oriented worldview of Native
American cultures and the rationalistic/dualistic worldview of
Western science that divides, analyzes, and objectifies.
General tendencies in Native learning styles
include a predominantly nonverbal orientation; tendency toward
visual, spatial, and kinesthetic modes of learning; heavy
reliance on visual perception and memory; preference for
movement and activity while learning; and preference for process
learning that moves from concrete examples to abstractions. In the
typical school environment, free movement is significantly
restricted and indirect intellectual learning, which emphasizes
verbal, mathematical, and logical orientations, is the norm. The
disparity between home and school environments is so great that some
Native American students experience a kind of culture shock that
significantly affects their attitudes toward school.
Recognizing that a cultural difference in
affective learning style exists between the home and school
environment is an important step toward developing more creative and
effective teaching strategies for Native learners. Teachers can
foster a bicultural orientation to education by exploring students'
home and cultural backgrounds, observing students in the school
context, and exploring students' expressions of core values."
Source: The Native American Learner and
Bicultural Science Education by Dr. Gregory A. Cajete. From: ERIC #
ED427908
NOTES
IN VISUAL LEARNING
A
Visual Learner Learns Best By:
·
Taking notes
and making lists to read later
·
Reading
information to be learned
·
Learning
from books, videotapes, filmstrips and printouts
·
Seeing a
demonstration
THE
VISUAL LEARNER WILL NEED TO SEE ALL STUDY MATERIAL.
1.
Practice
visualizing (mental imagery) or picturing spelling words.
2.
Write out
everything for frequent and quick visual review.
3.
Analyze
words by tearing them apart and putting them back together
(to-get-her- together).
4.
Use color
coding when learning new concepts (x and y axis different color when
graphing).
5.
Use enlarged
paper for graphing, making it easier for the visual learner to plot
lines.
6.
Use outlines
of reading assignments which cover key points and guide your reading.
7.
Draw lines
around the configuration of printed words and structural word
elements.
8.
Use charts,
maps, timelines, and filmstrips when learning new material.
9.
Use notes
and flash cards for review of material, vocabulary, and terminology
for a specific course.
10.
Use a
dictionary. All the visual cues are present: syllabication,
definitions, configurations, affixes, etc.
11.
Use graphic
organizers and diagrams.
12.
Use videos.
13.
Utilize
"mapping" techniques and draw pictures symbolizing information.
14.
Highlight
and underline key concepts.
15.
Retype notes
- use different fonts, bold print, and underline important concepts
and facts.
VISUAL LEARNER STRATEGIES
MATHEMATICS
·
Use visual
cues such as flash cards and concrete items.
·
Use graph
paper for organizing math problems.
·
Color code
math problems.
READING/LITERATURE
·
When
learning new vocabulary words, look up their meaning in the
dictionary and write down their definition on flash cards.
·
Sit close
to the instructor for writing board demonstration, etc.
·
Use sight
words, flash cards - then close your eyes and visualize what you
have seen.
·
Use
charts, graphs, and other visual cues.
WRITING/SPELLING
·
Use visual
study methods rather than recitation of words.
·
Write each
spelling word several times.
·
Trace
words with colored marking pens.
·
Visualize
words mentally and then reproduce them on paper.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
·
Learn new
material with visual stimulation (videos, computers, etc.).
·
Use
colored pens when taking notes - each color represents a degree of
importance--blue notes are main themes, red notes are supporting
details, green notes are specific details.
FACTS ABOUT THE VISUAL LEARNER
Is
A Natural At
·
Dressing
well, putting clothes together easily
·
Remembering details and colors of what he/she sees
·
Reading,
spelling and proof reading
·
Remembering faces of people he/she meets (forgets names); remembers
names seen in print
·
Quietly
taking in surroundings
·
Creating
mental photos
Studying/Reading Characteristics
·
Reads for
pleasure and relaxation; reads rapidly
·
Can spend
long periods of time studying
·
Requires
quiet during study
·
Learns to
spell words in configurations rather than phonetically
Difficulties in School
·
Having to
take action before either seeing or reading about what needs to be
done
·
Working in
an environment with noise or movement
·
Turning
out sounds (not very easy responsive to music)
·
Listening
to lectures without visual pictures or graphics to illustrate
·
Working in
classrooms with drab colors
·
Working
under fluorescent lights (makes it hard to concentrate)
