Handbook

Whether there be a learning disablity or not, all children learn in different ways. Dr. Howard Gardner's defined eight "multiple intelligences" help children communicate, problem-solve and create. Their different learning styles can either help or detract when they are using software as illustrated by the fact that one child may like a piece of software while another is quickly decides he will have nothing to do with it. How teachers and parents determine these learning styles is by observation. The learning styles as obtained from the Spring 2000 issue of Choosing Children's Software are listed below:
(Note: Most children fit into several of these categories.)

1. VERBAL/LINGUISTIC Kids like to read, write, edit, speak, and listen.

2. LOGICAL/MATHEMATICAL Kids like to experiment, test, and look for patterns and sequences. They enjoy puzzles and engaging in sequential activities. They think handling information with accuracy and testing theories are fun.

3. BODILY/KINESTHETIC These children enjoy games, sports, crafts, and other physical activities. They may enjoy role-playing, hands-on activities, and fixing things. They are your typical "wiggle worms." Software for this type of learning needs to be creative and fast-paced.

4. VISUAL/SPATIAL These children need to see things to learn. They enjoy visuals of all kinds including films, videos, photos, graphic arts, maps, charts, and models. Painting, drawing, and building things interest this type of learner.

5. MUSICAL These children learn best in a musical environment. They are sensitive to rhythm and melody, and may enjoy playing an instrument or singing.

6. INTERPERSONAL This type of learning style likes to learn with other people. These children are very social and group learning appeals to them.

7. INTRAPERSONAL These children will want to learn alone. They enjoy self-directed activities, are independent, like to work at their own pace, and are self-starters.

8. NATURALIST These children have a love for and great interest in nature. They love to classify and recognize relationships, interact with living things, and to discern patterns in life.

With those "multiple intelligences" in mind, the following software is classified according to the learning styles satisfied. A star means that the software title fulfills the characteristics of the learning style.

Key: 1-Verbal/Linguistic, 2-Logical/Mathematical, 3-Bodily/Kinesthetic,
4-Visual/Spatial, 5-Musical, 6-Interpersonal, 7-Intrapersonal, 8-Naturalist

Software Title (age level)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
The Magic School Bus Explores Bugs (6-10)
JumpStart Phonics (3-6)
Microsoft Encarta Reference Suite 2000 (10 and up)
Nancy Drew:Stay Tuned for Danger (10 and up)
Spy Fox2 (5-10)
Carmen Sandiego's Think Quick Challenge (8-12)
World Book Millenium 2000 (12 and up)
Blue's Treasure Hunt (3-6)

What does this mean for the software "selectors"? It mean that having only one particular title in the school collection to teach a concept may not be sufficient. Adding to the already long software evaluation form might be a question asking the reviewer to determine which learning styles are addressed by the program. In addition, when a teacher observes a student NOT "bonding" with the software, then it may be his duty to find a different software title or activity to satisfy the requirements of the lesson. If this is not possible, then the student will have learned an important life lesson....conditions are not always perfect!

Home

1. VERBAL/LINGUISTIC	Kids like to read, write, edit, speak, and listen.
2. LOGICAL/MATHEMATICAL	Kids like to experiment, test, and look for patterns and sequences. They enjoy puzzles and engaging in sequential activities. They think handling information with accuracy and testing theories are fun.
3. BODILY/KINESTHETIC	These children enjoy games, sports, crafts, and other physical activities. They may enjoy role-playing, hands-on activities, and fixing things. They are your typical "wiggle worms." Software for this type of learning needs to be creative and fast-paced.
4. VISUAL/SPATIAL	These children need to see things to learn. They enjoy visuals of all kinds including films, videos, photos, graphic arts, maps, charts, and models. Painting, drawing, and building things interest this type of learner.
5. MUSICAL	These children learn best in a musical environment. They are sensitive to rhythm and melody, and may enjoy playing an instrument or singing.
6. INTERPERSONAL	This type of learning style likes to learn with other people. These children are very social and group learning appeals to them.
7. INTRAPERSONAL	These children will want to learn alone. They enjoy self-directed activities, are independent, like to work at their own pace, and are self-starters.
8. NATURALIST	These children have a love for and great interest in nature. They love to classify and recognize relationships, interact with living things, and to discern patterns in life.