LEARNING STYLES: THE MEANS OF RETAINING INFORMATION

LEARNING STYLES: THE MEANS OF RETAINING INFORMATION

(A short personal essay for my COLL100 class)

While taking one of my first courses in College, English 101, I was introduced to the three Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic.  Almost immediately I knew my most prominent style was visual, never doubting the existence of the three, since I found that they were very prevalent in my College learning experience.  However, after reading an article “The Myth of Learning Styles” by Cedar Riener and Daniel Willingham, I realized that people may have different views on what Learning Styles mean.  While it is true that interest in the subject, personal background, and the teacher’s skills all effect learning, Learning Styles are specific to the retaining of knowledge, or our memory.

A few personal examples of this would be studying skills in the classroom, and even in my choice of degree.  After a few bad grades in which classes presented information entirely new to me, I began making note cards that were full of color, and contained many pictures, graphs and diagrams.  I found this helpful regardless of my interest level in the class.  In fact, some of my favorite classes were also the most difficult because I was taking in brand new information, not because I didn't enjoy the class, or have a lack of interest in the subject.

The other example is my choice of major. I decided on English because of my love of researching, and writing.  And this major actually uses the Learning Style that I am most comfortable with: visual.  Researching and then writing about a subject, is a sure way for me to retain information.  I have learned and remembered much more in the few English classes I have taken, then in other classes where similar topics were studied.  Why?  Because I was able to formulate the information I was given into my own words in the form of a something visual: an essay.

Further examples of the use of Learning Styles to retain information can be seen in the other two styles.  Upon taking two Online Learning Style Surveys, both determined that I was a Visual Learner and secondly an Auditory Learner.  Looking back on my study habits, I realized that I used this style frequently as well.  About two years ago I took Japanese 101. This class required a vast amount of memorization and was fairly difficult.  One night, while searching the Web, I found a rap song of the Japanese numbers one through twenty.  Within ten minutes, I had them memorized and haven’t forgotten them since.  Needless to say, while I had a wonderful teacher, good studying habits, and great interest in the subject, this class was extremely difficult, further proving that Learning Styles are merely a means of memorizing and retaining information.

As can be seen from these examples, while there are many factors that influence a person’s ability to learn, these do not inhibit a one’s Learning Style.  Learning Styles stand alone, and are simply a person’s specific way of retaining of knowledge, whether it be through Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic aids. 

P.S. The thing to remember is that I had a word limit, and I had to somehow incorporate my degree plan into an essay about learning styles  If I had written just about the learning styles without any requirements, this would have been so much more informational!!! Oh, well. 

Haven And Jordan Adventure Now Tucson!!! (HAJANT)

    Now this is the account of what transpired when Haven went to visit her Cousin Jordan in the distant land of Tucson. 

    CHAPTER 1: DAY 1
    It was on Thursday the 11th of October. Haven arrived slightly worn from the two hour drive from Phoenix, but plenty grateful that she made it through without being pulled over. Jordan and Alie rushed out to meet her, while giving her the exact location on the phone. Jordan in her excitement, ran flapping her arms wildly, right past Haven sitting in her car. Oh well, she just turned around and ran back. 
    Alie proceeded to an eye appointment, while Jordan and Haven proceeded into the apartment for a first ever tour!!Oh such epic piles of clutter, and what a tiny winedy dark stare case! Ah, the grandtoost of such a bathroom , and what quaintness of a room! These indeed were the thoughts that passed through Haven's mind as she was lead about the tour. 
    As the next few hours rolled by, Jordan patently set about modifying Haven's desperate case of a laptop. So desperate in fact that she was still in the throes of using Internet Explorer and not Google Chrome! Oh, the agony!! She also proceeded to educate Haven in the wonders of Homestuck, showing her a plethora of Fan art pictures, and a magnificent story she composed so named: Ourstuck ... Hmmmm....Anyways, it was a common topic of conversation for the next three days, as Jordan persisted in drenching Haven with the glories of Homestuck. 
   Shortly thereafter the two chums decided to go for a leisurely stroll about the neighborhood  For the next hour they enjoyed walking down alleyways and disturbing the neighbors by making the dogs bark. Oh, the joy!
    Despite all the present enjoyment of the day the best was yet to come when Alie, Jordan, and Haven clamored into Alie's car at 6:30 promptly, and proceeded to roll down the rooftop window thingy-ma-bobber. 
    After picking up Paul, some lonely College student, who had nothing better to do then hang out with our awesomeness, we met Cody, a major in communications, who believe it or not acted just like a major in communications would.. not to stereotype people by their majors..but really. Our meeting place was a very sumptuous Japanese restaurant by the name of Yoshimatsu (do try it when you are there). We clamored inside, ordered at the counter, and went to our seats. the first comment was about the very dim lighting, and how it made each of us feel. But, due to the excitement, nobody noticed Haven when she commented that it made her feel sleepy, and to display this feeling she laid her head on the table...only she accidentally laid it a bit to harshly and ended up with a nasty bruise the next day. But, like I said, nobody noticed. 
   The meal was quite scrumptious, and the company quite loud. The time passed quickly and soon it was time to depart. 
    Once home both girls crammed onto a twin mattress and slept quite soundly till that horrid thing called an alarm clock sounded at 6:45 the next morning. 
    
    CHAPTER 2: DAY 2
    The first thing that I must explain before delving into their wondrous day is the text they received the night before. This text sheds quite a bit of light as to why this day had an extra pinch of spananza. 
    It went something like this:
(OJ: Other Jordan and J: Jordan)

OJ: Quickly would you rather be assault, sniper, heavy weapons, or support?

J: Support. Haven would be a Sniper. XCom? (That's the game's name)

OJ: Oh wow, yeah. How did you guess?

J: A guy at school was talking about it. Thanks for including me in your game. :) What is Monica?

OJ: I made her the Heavy Specialist, and Elijah and Ivan are assault. I will include Haven now because I didn't know who would be the sniper.

J: Haven feels honored. Like, super honored. Like, that's what I would make everyone too!

OJ: Lol, are you speaking on her behalf?

J: Yes. Yes. Good niggggghhhhhttttttt....

OJ: Good night

    Now,back to day two: Friday. At 8:00 a.m. Jordan and Haven drove to the soon to be verily explored University of UofA. After parking in the parking garage, to which we would later have to pay a hefty fee of eight whole dollars, we walked candidly to the Poetry Building where Haven planned to spend the next three hours finishing homework, while Jordan went to her classes. This plan was quickly annihilated  as the Poetry Center didn't open till 9:00. Therefore, Jordan made the wise decision to re-nest Haven at Sloanaker, the Honors College (She felt right at home), which was quite the quaint place indeed. At 12:00 they regrouped, and instead of doing the wise thing and dropping their heavy burdens back at the car, they began walking. This walking continued in short and long spasms for the next 5 hours or so, as they explored much of the UofA campus. During this time the series of texts continued:

OJ: Good news, you all died, except Haven, who panicked and ran away.

J: Noooooo!!!!! Haven says her fate was the worst!!

OJ: Especially because before she ran she shot Monica in the leg to make sure the aliens got Monica instead of her.

J: Oh wow. Haven's all: "nooooooooo"

OJ: I found it so entertaining I promoted her to squad leader

J: Haven: "Well, I AM an entertaining person!"

After reading these texts Jordan and Haven continued their Journey... penetrating many different buildings, Science Buildings, the library (Haven read poetry, and both drew pictures), sat a few feet from a couple making out (and proceed to talk about the awkwardness of it all), moved to a really nice shady spot, that slowly filled with people and while seated, read the next and last series of very swell texts:

OJ: I more that agree with that. Looks like when the shit hits the fan haven will sacrifice her squad to get out alive, which is exactly what I look for in a leader

OJ: And it turns out the squad gave her the nickname "team killer"

OJ: Well, beat the game, and oddly enough haven saved the planet

J: No. Way. She totally pulled through.

OJ: Yep, turned out she was a psychic and was the planet's only hope

J: Haven: " heh heh. I like this game." :P I love how Haven's the hero of your game!

OJ: yeah, it was a twist I wasn't expecting

As the time rolled past Haven began to starve. Jordan, in her poor bachloretteness, had slowly began to eat about the same portion that a rabbit or a cannery eats in one day, and so, failed to notice the terrible condition of her much over fed cousin. But, before Haven reached the point of collapse, they managed to climb the stairs to a slightly exquisite Chinese restaurant, in which they ordered some stir fry food and boba juice. Oh the boba! it was glorious! How many boba can YOU suck up a straw at one time?

At around four in the evening, Jordan unaccustomed to the leisurely lifestyle of her Cousin Haven, failed to realize that her limited energy supply was at its last bar and needed to be recharged. Trying to remedy this, they searched for and found a place to lay on the grass, where Haven attempted to pass out, and Jordan refused to stop talking, even forcing Haven to move position so that it appeared as though they were in deep conversation, and she wasn't just talking to Haven's butt.

This was a miserable failure, and Haven was turning into a miserable grump. In a last attempt to appease her gradually turning into a monster cousin Haven, Jordan suggested that they walk the whole mile back to the car, which was parked in that ridiculously expensive parking garage, and that Haven take a nap. Surprisingly this contrivance appealed to Haven, and off they headed. You may be wondering, why didn't they just go home? Are they dimwits? What is wrong with their intelligence? While I may not know if there is indeed something wrong with their intelligence, I do know why they stayed: Gaming Club.

Yes, that's the reason. While it may seem like quite a loserly reason, let me tell you, they both felt it was quite worth it. After napping for approximately an hour under Jordan's watchful eye- kind of like a guard dog, or like a goose, I might say, they headed off to play at the gaming club!!!

Now, Haven wasn't well versed in the art of playing video games, but neither was she one to back out of challenge. So, even though she was faced with the Formidable Smash Brothers Brawl on the Wii., she refused to back down, and taking those strange controllers in her hands, proceeded to wield them with grace and power. Well, not exactly....BUT as her very wise brother-in-law once sort of said-maybe not-but it was interpreted this way: Even if you aren't good at it, at least make the sounds like you are. And so, even if she almost indefinitely died first, she was the most verbally viscous player in the room. Oh yah, totally won that one baby!!

 

CHAPTER 3: DAY 3: THE FESTIVAL

    What are the odds, that there is a festival the very weekend, Haven visits. Oh yes, and a very awesome one too. 
    After a brilliant morning, in which Jordan attempted to teach her slow learning cousin the art of stir fry (which she has since attempted to cook- and maybe it turned out ok?), off they headed to downtown Tucson for the Festival: "Tuscon Meet Yourself"! After getting sufficiently lost, they decided to follow a row of cars into a paid parking lot. It seemed like the right spot. There were cars and people right? We parked and followed a small group of people up the sidewalk to this big building that had a long line of people. The walk was long enough for both girls to notice that most of the people were parents with little girls who were wearing princess outfits. But, you know, little girls wear princess outfits to Cultural festivals all the time right?..right? Once in line, Haven explained to Jordan how this made her feel so very Japanese, at least the Japanese stereotype  you know, standing in random lines. No sooner had this slipped from her tongue then a father behind her asked, "Do you know if this is the line for the prepaid seating or not?" Looking like a complete dimwit, Haven gave a  slightly ridiculous laugh, " um, well, actually, we don't even really know what this line is for, we were just standing here!!!" Dumb smile. A not very amused father, who probably has very little sense of humor, because if it were me I'd be laughing, replied: " This is for the Disney on Ice." Ohhhhhh.... well that explains that little girls in princess costumes then... Both Jordan and Haven thought simultaneously. " Ah, ha, ha, well we are here for something else, we are here for the, the, this festival, called, what was..?" Jordan grabs Haven's hand, "Haven, lets just go." and drags her off. 

Jordan's Post Card to Release the Wolves.

    And, what do you know, it was literally right around the corner. Turns out it was totally AWESOME!!!!HUGE!!!! AMAZING!!!!! We ate lots of amazing different foods, watched cool performances, talked to lots of different people at lots of different stands, and many more things. Because the day was so extensively long, I will just recount the few events that stood out in greater, more significant detail.

Haven's Postcard to Release the Wolves. 

    First off was the sighting of a dog with the looks of Buttercup, but the size of Hugo. The Cousin's were idiotically excited, and both had to be a daredevil and pet it's butt. You never know, it may have turned around and viscously taken a parcel of flesh from one of their faces. 
    Secondly  was the spotting of Indian Frybread. Seriously, they had to try that stuff!!! So, they asked the very nice woman sitting there were she may have acquired this glorious substance. With a laugh full of mirth she informed them that she did not in fact know, but the man who was with her, who had just gone into a tiny Mexican restaurant did know, and that they should ask him. Thanking her the girls walked to the restaurant door but at the last second decided maybe not.... but before they could walk off they lady shouted, "Oh, go and ask him, he won't bite!!" So, in they went. She hadn't lied, he didn't bite! In fact he was quite nice and gave them very well laid out directions, and soon they were on our way to the Frybread. they did find it, and it was scrumptious to their taste buds. 
    While, there were many other great stories to tell, my fingers and probably your attention span, can't take much more, so I shall sum up this journey with one final, very short chapter. 
    
    CHAPTER 4: DAY 3: KINPAI KOREAN MARKET 
    After a lovely day at the Festival, Jordan and Haven came to the dire realization that they only had a few hours left together. So, they headed back to Jordan's humble abode, and curling up on the bed, watched an episode of Secret Garden together. Ah... That was nice. Then, with only one hour left, they flippantly decided to go to one of the Korean Markets on the bottom of a receipt they had received at the festival. Off they sped!!! Upon arriving they noticed that there wasn't a single car around, but the sign said OPEN, still, a little creepy, but they came all this way so they had to go in, Oh look! someone else is pulling in!! Two Korean ladies, yes, they felt much safer, and so in they headed. 
    After filling their arms with groceries and dumping them onto the counter, they began to check out, and a very interesting conversation with the older Korean Manager checking out our food began.
The total was $18:18. That's cool.
" It's 18.18" He said. 
They nodd. "ok." 
"That's 십팔(Sibpal). 십팔(Sibpal) in Korean. Double eighteen." He says.
"Oh... shibpar, sheparl." They say like very ardent students.
"Yah, 십팔, its 18. But, sometimes, it sounds like 씨팔(ssipal). That means Fuck you."
Well, his english was a little difficult to understand, so Haven stood there trying to sound it out, "Puc-Fuc-Oh!"Jordan had since already realized- like immediately actually.
"Oh!Haha, well I guess I'll have to be careful then! Don't want to say that!" Haven blubbered.
"Yah, its very similar. Very common mistake." 
"Well, thanks for teaching us!!"
"Yah, Thank you!"
"Uhum." 
And that was about it. 
Just a really neat experience at the very end of a reallly great trip. After dropping Jordan back off at her home, Haven headed back on her way to Phoenix... until they meet again.