Tuesday, September 25, 2012

This is how I learn. This is how I process information. This is me.


  So, the other day, the seventh grade ROGATE class took two tests on what type of learners we are and how we really, really process information.
The first test we took is called "Gardner Multiple Intelligence Test". On that test, there were several statements such as "I like to work with numbers and figures". Next to each statement, we wrote either true, false, or nothing at all. Based on what we wrote, our result was either Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Bodily Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, or Intrapersonal.
     My result was Musical. I think through rhythms and melodies. On the paper, it states that I love singing, whistling, humming, tapping feet and hands, listening, et cetera. Apparently, I need sing-along time, trips to concerts, music playing at home and school, and musical instruments.

     The second test was titled "Gregorc Learning/Teaching Styles: Who They Are and How They Learn". On this test, statements were given and we had to place them from four, which was what we agreed with most, to one, which was what we disagreed with most. At the end, the totals led to four different results.
     On this test, I happened to get two results, both with the highest score. My results were called "Abstract Random" and "Abstract Sequential".
     Abstract Random and Abstract Sequential are pretty similar. However, I find Abstract Random to have more artsy themes, and Abstract sequential having more novel-loving and literate themes.
     According to Abstract Random, I am a sensitive and emotional individual, who is personal, yet imaginative, colorful, and flexible (mentally, not physically). I am an interpreter with deep feelings, and I love discussions. All of which is pretty true and close to my personality. Good job, Anthony Gregorc. I take off my hat to you.
     People who received the result of Abstract Random learn through group discusions, media and music, peer group work, role play, use of fantasy and imagination, themes, arts, humor, and short lectures. That is, pretty much, how I learn. I do love group and class discussions. Sometimes I find that I remember the things we discuss in class, in a really large conversation, better than I remember things that we take notes on.
     Abstract Sequential is pretty similar. People who receive the result of Abstract Sequential, are logical, academic, structured, and intellectual individuals. These people love to read, research, debate, study, and evaluate. Abstract Sequential people are also thinkers, which I truly am. This Anthony Gregorc guy really hit the target when it came to my test results!
     Abstract Sequential people learn through reading, lectures, working alone, team papers, library work, note-taking, essay, research, contect, and theories. I love reading, working alone, going to the library to do work, taking notes, and researching things. Often times I even enjoy writing essays that aren't necessarily creative writings.

     So, my test results were pretty much right on the bomb. I agree with them, I truly do. On the Gardner Test, I got the result of Musical. After truly thinking about it, I did come to the conclusion that I do learn through music. When I need to remember something, I come up with a little song for it. I remember, when I was younger and I wanted to remember a poem, I would first clap out the rhythm of the poem. Then, after remembering the rhythm and beats, I would associate the beats with the words.

     I hadn't really noticed that about myself. I self-concsciously just did those things, without realizing that that was how I learn.

    The Gregorc Test turned on a lightbulb for me and helped me to see that I truly do learn through discussions and note-taking. I mean, I always loved discussing things with other people, talking about a topic through and through until there was nothing else to talk about. I also love taking notes, writing things down in my notebook so I'll be able to remember it forever. But I never really realized that that was how I learned. I almost saw those things as a hobby of mine rather than a form of learning.

    Alright, so I'm supposed to talk about people I admire. And no matter how many times I word it in my head, it always seems that I jump to the topic so suddenly, and it makes my blog seem all choppy. So, I'll just put it out.

     I admire lots of people on earth. Friends, family, sometimes even animals. To choose simply three people I admire would be like choosing between living in the world of Pokemon, Harry Potter, or Avatar the Last Airbender. But, I suppose I'll just throw out a random three people I adore.

     I realize that in my last blog post, I might have already spoken about some of these people. But this time, I'll be thinking about what kind of learner they might be.

     I am Joe Hisaishi's biggest fan, I swear. He composes the music for the Hiyao Miyazaki films (look at my first blog post for examples of the movies he wrote the score for). Joe Hisaishi is just such an inspiration to me. It's so great that his noises can really bring the film to life. He can turn rain falling to rain dripping down houses, waltzing with the wind, doing a tango with umbrellas until they finally, finally collapse against the ground, making a firework of water. My goodness, he's such an inspiration. He can bring life to anything, just by making a bunch of noises sound nice together.
     In my opinion, if Joe Hisaishi were to take the Gregorc Test, I think he'd end up with the result of Abstract Random. Abstract Random people are pretty spontaneous, artsy people who like music and learn through music. And since music is Joe Hisaishi's specialty, then of course, one would assume that he learns through his specialty.

     Another person I admire so much is J.K. Rowling. I mean, who doesn't admire her? She wrote the Harry Potter series, and the first Harry Potter book is one of the top three most sold books in the world (next to the Bible and another classic book). J.K. Rowling is not only a great writer and author, but her philosophy on life in truly inspiring. She has a great perspective on people and she most definitely has her priorities set straight. J.K. Rowling is like a legend to the world. She went from rags to riches just bceause she had a brilliant book idea and she was able to put it into a tale of adventure, friendship, courage, and facing deaths.
     If J.K. Rowling were to take the Gardner Test, I think she would get the result of Linguistic. Linguistic people love writing and literature, and they need literature and writing tools. It basically describes J.K. Rowling: An excellent author who knows her things, who also needs those things around her in order to continue improving and improving.

     Yoko Shimomura (also mentioned in my first blog post) is yet another person I admire. She's the composer of video games, mostly known for her fantastic works in Kingdom Hearts. Yoko Shimomura is said to be the "best video game composer of all time". I think she's the most well-known video game composer. Her pieces are so gorgeous. When I listen to some of her works, I get goosebumps all over my body and my eyes tear up (don't laugh, I just can't stand the beauty of it all). Yoko Shimomura is also one of the few female video game soundtrack composers that there are in the world. To be honest, I think there are more male video game soundtrack composers on earth. I'm not saynig that girls are horrible composers (because then I'd be insulting myself). I'm simply saying that there are more well-known men who compose music rather than well-known women.
     I think Yoko Shimomura would have the result of Spatial if she were to take the Gardner Test. People who get the Spatial result love visualizing and need movies, videos, and art. Since Yoko Shimomura is composing music for video games, she needs to know what kind of scene she's composing for, otherwise she might compose a sweet, innocent, happy piece for a horrible, gory part of the game. She learns what she needs to do through images and drawings, possible scenes of the video games.

     Well, in conclusion, I've learned what kind of learner I am, and how people can use the way they learn to help them in their jobs. I'm an Abstract Random, Abstract Sequential, and Musical learner. Knowing this, it might help me in school and with my lessons.
     Knowing that I learn through rhythms and songs, that might help me study. I could help myself study by looking up any songs for the subject I am learning about. Perhaps I couild even think of musical ways to study, such as coming with with a rhythm for a sentence, almost like a poem.
     Being an Abstract Random and knowing that I do, in fact, learn through class discussions, I could probably start up a discussion with some friends or family. Then, I will be able to truly remember the information and perhaps learn a little bit more.

     Ah, well, I think I'll close this blog to an end here. I apologize for the length of my blog posts, I suppose you think they're a bore to read. Well, if you weren't intimidated by the length of this post and decided to read it all, good job. Remind me to give you a cookie next time you see me.
     Hm, well... I suppose there's nothing else to type.

    


~ I commented on Charles and Claire's posts! ~ LEVEL UP.

4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. That was really good, Christina. I am a Abstract Random learner too! I agree with your thoughts on how the Gregorc test helped you find out more about the way you learn.
    P.S. You owe me a cookie! (Just kidding.)

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  3. Nice job, Christina! Nice and long, just how I like it. I really like how your role models are people from countries other than the United States. I live in the UK, of course, so JK Rowling isn't foreign to me. Zo, you are Abstract Random, huh? Interesting. I felt as if that is what i am too, but the stupid Gregorc guy was a meanie. So, yeah. Nice job!

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  4. I'm so glad that Gregorc was good to you! It's interesting that you often remember more from class discussions than note-taking. I think that's great! Our class is very much driven by class discussion. (In fact, the whole Gifted & Talented program is like that.) Never apologize for a long blog post - you're a writer!

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