Traditional Learning style Vs Block Learning Styles

Traditionally, most public schools have held six or seven class subject teaching days. Children had to shift gears, throughout the day, and in middle or high schools they have had to move classrooms, for each subject. However, once these kids moved further into College, the training methods were changed to Block learning. So, we went to various sources and began asking the question, which was perceived as being the best method for teaching?

While most of the educators we spoke to agreed, that Block Learning teaching styles are preferred, and most beneficial, the various grades and schools have held to the traditional style to allow for larger classes and reduced budgets which are normally experienced in Elementary through High School grade classes. As the student's progress in their education, they are moved more towards the Block learning style, by having to move from class room to class room, to be with other teachers. However, the work loads are still consistent with what is familiar in Elementary Class schedules, in that there are multiple subjects being taught throughout the day.

In speaking with an educator, who works at Cal-State Fullerton, with at-risk children and community segments, it was communicated that in traditional learning styles, kids have been found to have less abilities to focus on a single subject and even have issues with retention, due to distractions or not enough access to their instructors. She further stated that in discussions with others in her department, and at convention work-shops, that the methods of block learning allowed the student time to absorb materials more readily among at risk groups.

Explaination of Block Learning Concept:

In Block Learning, a few number of class subjects are being taught, in more concentrated amounts, during a single day's schedule. Each class is a little longer than in Elementary or High School. A Typical Elementary, Middle, Or High School Schedule consists of six or seven subject matters, being taught within a 30 or 45 minute segment of time. Once each subject is covered, then the student is moved immediately to the next subject of study.

Block learning allows a larger student population, in the classroom and allows the teacher to cover materials, in a more concentrated curriculum towards one to three class subject days. The student has more access for independent consultation, with educators during classroom time and allows the educator to go further into the explanation of conceptual ideas.

Let's consider that if in a traditional lower educational grade class takes up to 10 minutes for getting materials ready, then taking 10 minutes to store the materials, for the next day, the class may lose up to 20 minutes in a 45 minute class. However, taking the first 10 minute increment, and having an hour or two class time on one subject, gives more direct instruction and problem solving time. Since preparation of each subject being addressed during a typical day is reduced, the students also experience reduced distractions, which increase both productivity and retention on behalf of the student.

Traditional Learning Styles Have Functional Problems:

The problem with this learning style is that if a child gets lost, in a subject, then it takes him/her the ability to move to the next subject. This causes a snow-ball effect, in that the child has a problem in shifting into the upcoming subject. Their concentration becomes clouded with questions, from the previous subject, causing their retention of the newly presented materials as well as the materials covered in the previous class subject.

Another issue with Traditional Learning styles, is that most class room time, being limited to only 45 minutes or less, actually is allows less time of direct educational materials being covered. Let us consider that in each lesson segment, which lasts only 45 minutes, it typically takes the students up to 10 or 15 minutes to get settled.

By the time the student stores the materials from previous lesson, then prepares for the next subject to include any discussions going on with other students, the actual instructional time is significantly reduced. Couple this with larger student populace, in the classrooms, and the reduced number of teachers there is not enough time to expect children to fully learn with any sustainable retention.

Which is better, For Home Schooling Environment?

As per this question, we tend to stick with what we know. However, in using the traditional model of educating children, problems arise quickly for the Home Schooling Parent. Due to the overwhelming nature of this type of program, a Home Schooling Parent will quickly come to appreciate the tasks of the professional teachers. Aside from the parents being required to dedicate more time, ensuring that the children/student is benefiting from the program is more difficult.

Home Schooling can be over-whelming if traditional styles of learning is maintained. Taking a load of materials and expecting the child to cover it all, in one day will not be a greeted positively. The parent can easily be over-whelmed and start to believe that there is no way they can adequately. Again, it must be mentioned that as humans, we tend to go with what is familiar to us.

However, by utilizing a Block learning program, one can allow themselves to become more familiar with, and digest materials. This will have a higher chance of easing the stress both meeting the needs of the children, and allowing the parent to have other projects going on. Questions, which typically will require answering, can more readily be prepared for, by the parent by prereading the materials ahead of time, to become prepared for assignments the following day.

Choosing which Teaching Method is best; that is open for debate and discussion between those directly involved in your child's education. However, according to discussion group participation, which we participated in, and our families direct experiences via home schooling, we feel that the benefits of Block over Traditional teaching methods fits our life.



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Primary School Tips

Controversy still is lurks among educators, as to what writing implements a young child needs, a regular crayon or a fat one that preschoolers have used. What educator in their right mind ever thought that the fatter crayons would be best for tiny fingers? What little hands could hold these larger crayons correctly? Many people feel that it was the crayon manufacturers, rather than educators, that created them. So why is it that teachers have succumbed into the theory that they are best?

Many parents will say that little children cannot hold a crayon or a pencil correctly because of poor fine motor skills. My philosophy is "why not teach them to use them correctly just as a spoon's use has to be taught"! Have you ever watched an adult 'shovel in' food by turning the spoon incorrectly? That is something that they never outgrew and it became a bad habit, because they were never taught. It is unfortunate that may adults have taken notice to see how other adults eat, however. The same is true with pens, pencils, and crayons; if used incorrectly, continue usage of improper handling will continue.

Little children do have to develop strength in their fingers and learn how to grab and use crayons, which is the first step before learning how to write. Developmentally, things come in time, but fine motor skills need to grow and develop and as grow and develop, themselves. If children do not know how to hold a coloring tool correctly, then holding a pencil will be no different. Many pencils that kindergartners use, are large too, which do not help in development writing. A normal size pencil should be held and the children should be taught where to hold their fingers, before writing. It takes practice, because at first, they have to think about it. Just as learning to tie one's shoes has to be taught, then practiced, so is the case of holding and handling of a pencil correctly so that penmanship will be cohesive.

If a pencil is held wrong, such as too upright, then letters will not be formed correctly. If their fingers are not strengthened, then their printing will not be formed correctly on the lines, but rather above and below the lines on paper. Manipulation of the tools is a skill that takes time and practice, while being developmentally appropriate. If fine motor skills are in-check, comfortable and natural for the child, then writing letters and words will soon become second-nature for the child, Just a eye-hand coordination is a skill, as a child learns to find the appropriate place that he is copying from, and redirects his eyes to the paper where he will write the words or phrases, so too, are fine-motor skills. Both hold a place in reading comprehension and the act of writing, keeping penmanship in the forefront, with literacy activities, the as the involvement that children need !!!

How to Prepare to Start College

It always feels good when starting a new life in a new college. Students often get worried about their first day in their college. This is perfectly normal because they are entering unfamiliar surroundings, will have new schedules, new fellows, etc. At the same time some may be excited to start the college. Here is some advice that will help you to overcome your anxiety.

Step no.1:

Do not delay to apply for the dorm room in your college. Some colleges have a limited number of rooms and if you delay then you may have to look for some other place which may not be near your college. If the college provides the option of choosing your roommate then you may choose someone; otherwise, the college will appoint someone. Getting this task accomplished may help relax you a bit.

Step no.2:

After you get the room, you need to look for the some personal furnishings for your room. Some colleges provide a list of what you will be need for your room. If this not the case, then ask someone with college dorm experience. You can get furnishings from thrift shops or even the local Goodwill and save loads of money.

Step no.3:

If you need any financial assistance then you can consult the counselors in the college's Financial Aid Office. Many colleges provide many forms of local, state and federal loans to the students who need them. You can take the information the Financial Aid Offices and begin applying to a number of resources to help fund your education. Many students are unable to pay their expenses. They need to seek guidance from their college regarding how they can apply for the loan as well as the criteria to get the loan. Remember: It doesn't hurt to ask. There is plenty of money out there for the deserving student.

Step no.4:

It is better that you visit your college some time before your first semester starts. You this helps you to get familiar with the campus, and saves a lot of confusion on the first day. You can find the laundry, the route to the cafe, where you will be taking your classes, etc., and this will save you loads of stress as you are getting settled in. It also goes a long way towards reducing nervousness and stress faced by the beginning freshman.

Step no.5:

Look for other students who will be starting the college with you or who already are familiar with the college. Strive to make friends before you start your college. This way you will not feel alone on your first day. Some senior students tend to ridicule or make new students feel their first day especially if the newcomer is wandering around the campus alone. You will be able to protect yourself from them if you have a bunch of friends.

Your college years come around only once. A little forethought and planning will go a long way in getting off to a good start.