Variables That Affect How Students Learn

Question 1

Variables that affect student learning

Answer 1

1. Learning style
2. Gender
3. Culture
4. Motivation
5. Socioeconomic status
6. Prior knowledge and experiences
7. Self-concept and self-esteem
8. Cognitive development
9. Maturity
10. Language development and acquisition
11. Physical issues
12. Exceptionality

Question 2

Learning Styles

Answer 2

1. Auditory - learners process information through listening (lectures, discussions, read aloud)
2. Kinesthetic (tactile) - learners process information through moving, touching, and doing (acting out scenes, manipulatives)
3. Visual - learners process information through seeing. (displays, films, graphic organizers, bulletin boards, handouts)

Question 3

Gender

Answer 3

• Become aware of gender differences at 3-6 yrs
• Males read less for pleasure than females do
• Males have more difficulty with handwriting, reading, and stuttering
• Males are more likely to engage in argumentation
• Males have strength in visual-spatial reasoning
• Females have stronger verbal skills
• Females tell, males show

Question 4

Motivation

Answer 4

Enhance student motivation by:

• Arranging the classroom to minimize disruptions and maximize student attention
• Communicate respect, acceptance, and caring
• Giving students choices
• Establish and enforce rules that are clear and meaningful
• Organize for smooth transitions
• Engage students in meaningful, authentic, and productive work
• Highlight students’ strengths
• Provide meaningful feedback

Question 5

Socioeconomic status

Answer 5

• Children from low-SES homes develop academic skills more slowly than higher-SES students
• Low-SES have lower pre-academic skills
• Low-SES schools are under-resourced which negatively affects students’ progress
• Low-SES students have fewer resources to help their academic achievement (materials, someone to help with homework or to read to them)

Question 6

Physical issues

Answer 6

Vision, hearing, and mobility problems

Asthma, seizures, allergies

Question 7

Culture

Answer 7

-Children who are not from the dominant culture may have trouble adjusting to or understanding the implicit rules that will gain them access and power in the educational setting