Garden Based Education » Educators/Parents

The Garden-Based Education Model

heide — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:56:14 +0000

Model for Garden-Based Education in School Settings:
A Tool for Educators, Abbey Jaramillo, Executive Director of Urban Sprouts has posted their one-day training information online.

Use this model to plan and evaluate your program. As you plan your lessons, use the Program Design box as a checklist to make sure the overall program enhances the school’s curriculum, physical and social learning environments in as many ways as possible. Then use the Program Outcomes boxes to identify the impact you want the program to have on individual youth, the community and/ or the bioregion.

click here to learn more

The Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learning Style

heide — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:07:37 +0000

You learn best when physically engaged in a “hands on” activity. In the classroom, you benefit from a lab setting where you can man ipulate materials to learn new information. You learn best when you can be physically active in the learning environment. You benefit from instructors who encourage in-class demonstrations, “hands on” student learning experiences, and field work outside t he classroom.

Strategies for the Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learner:
To help you stay focused on class lecture, sit near the front of the room and take notes throughout the class period. Don’t worry about correct spelling or writing in complete sentences. Jot down key words and draw pictures or make charts to help you reme mber the information you are hearing.

When studying, walk back and forth with textbook, notes, or flashcards in hand and read the information out loud.

Think of ways to make your learning tangible, i.e. something you can put your hands on. For example, make a model that illustrates a key concept. Spend extra time in a lab setting to learn an important procedure. Spend time in the field (e.g. a museum, hi storical site, or job site) to gain first-hand experience of your subject matter.

To learn a sequence of steps, make 3′x 5′ flashcards for each step. Arrange the cards on a table top to represent the correct sequence. Put words, symbols, or pictures on your flashcards — anything that helps you remember the information. Use highlighter pens in contrasting colors to emphasize important points. Limit the amount of information per card to aid recall. Practice putting the cards in order until the sequence becomes automatic.

When reviewing new information, copy key points onto a chalkboard, easel board, or other large writing surface.

Make use of the computer to reinforce learning through the sense of touch. Using word processing software, copy essential information from your notes and textbook. Use graphics, tables, and spreadsheets to further organize material that must be learned.

Listen to audio tapes on a Walkman tape player while exercising. Make your own tapes containing important course information.

What is Kinesthetic Learning

heide — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:36:03 +0000

Kinesthetic learning is a teaching and learning style in which learning takes place by the student actually carrying out a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or merely watching a demonstration. Some people are visual learners, some kinesthetic learners, and some are auditory learners. Students associated with this predominant learning style are thought to be natural discovery learners; they have realizations through doing, as opposed to having thought first before initiating action. There is no evidence of the efficacy of kinesthetic learning [1].

Kinesthetic learning is when someone learns things from doing or being part of them. They make up about 40% of the population and struggle to pick things up by reading/ listening to things. Many people mistake themselves for kinesthetic/ tactile learners because they have not used the full variety of learning options, which means they cannot find the right learning state for them. The kinesthetic learner usually does well in things such as chemistry experiments, sporting activities, and acting. They also may listen to music while learning or studying. It is common for kinesthetic learners to focus on two different things at the same time. They will remember things by going back in their minds to what their body was doing. They also have very high hand-eye co-ordination and very quick receptors. They use phrases such as “I can see myself doing that” and “It’s starting to come alive”.