2015 August 8 | Matthew Cotter | Kinesthetic Learning - Finding a Balance

Matthew Cotter

This was an excellent presentation that was not to be missed.

The presentation began by outlining some principles of kinaesthetic learning. Matt then gave examples from his own past experiences as a self-identified kinaesthetic learner and as a teacher of different age ranges and types of students. In the second half of the presentation, Matt had everyone on their feet as he demonstrated some techniques to incorporate more physical movement into the learning process. The presentation culminated with an example Maori lesson using kinaesthetic learning.

Abstract:
One of the seven multiple intelligences first proposed by Gardner in 1983, was that of Kinesthetic Intelligence. Learners with high kinesthetic intelligence often find it difficult to just sit, listen and learn in learning contexts that typically reward excellence in logistic and linguistic intelligence such as mainstream education.

Usually outshining their peers in areas such as sports, dance, acting and making things with their hands, these learners are, however, often seen by their teachers and peers as the ‘fiddlers’, ‘leg-jigglers’, ‘pesterers’ ‘trouble-makers’ and in some cases may even be wrongly diagnosed as having ADHD. As learners with high kinesthetic intelligence prefer to move and learn by doing or making things, their learning experience and also that of their peers, can be increased if some classroom activities can be kinesthetically based. This is not to say that a total and complete kinesthetic learning environment should be adopted, as adaption and application in non-kinesthetic situations is also important during schooling and beyond. A balance is essential.  In this discourse, the speaker will provide evidence of how a kinesthetic learner can be successful within the mainstream education system and beyond, through first hand experiences of the speaker’s own life.  In the following workshop participants will experience first hand English kinesthetic activities for use in primary through to university level classrooms and discuss ways of ‘tweaking’ lessons to contain kinesthetic elements. We will also discuss ways to help facilitate understanding of these approaches with colleagues, supervisors and administrative staff.

Speaker: Matthew Cotter
Date and Time: Saturday, 8 August 2015 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: Arkas Sasebo (2F Chu Kaigi Shitsu), 2-3 Miura cho, Sasebo

Fee for JALT members: Free

Fee for one-day members: 1,000 yen, free first-time participants

Contact or Queries: Email contact form