Understanding Learning Styles

Competency A: Find and Use Information

Task Group A1: Read continuous text

Level: 2

At this level, learners: Read texts to locate and connect ideas and information

Performance Descriptors

The learner:
•    Makes connections between sentences and between paragraphs in a single text
•    Scans text to locate information
•    Locates multiple pieces of information in simple texts
•    Reads more complex texts to locate a single piece of information
•    Makes low-level inferences
•    Follows the main events of descriptive, narrative, and informational texts
•    Obtains information from detailed reading
•    Begins to identify sources and evaluate information

Task Descriptors

•    Scope of task is clearly defined
•    Involves one text
•    Is one paragraph or longer
•    May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)

Text types:
instructional, descriptive, narrative, and informational texts

Examples:     

• Letters
• Emails
• Notices

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario - A1.2

Competency D: Use Digital Technology
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Perform well-defined, multi-step digital tasks

Performance Descriptors
The learner:

• Selects and follows appropriate steps to complete tasks
• Locates and recognizes functions and commands
• Makes low-level inferences to interpret icons and text
• Begins to identify sources and evaluate information
• Performs simple searches using keywords (e.g. Internet, software help menu)

Task Descriptors

• Scope of task is clearly defined
• May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
• Requires multiple steps to complete
• Requires the use of a limited range of features and options
• May be completed in more than one way; each way has a set procedure
• Uses a simple format
• Contains text, icons, or both
• Text and icons required to complete tasks are easy to interpret
• May contain distracting information
• Interface offers a variety of options through menus

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – D.2

Competency E: Manage Learning
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Set realistic short- and long-term goals, use a limited number of learning strategies, and monitor own learning

Performance Descriptors for the learner:

• Demonstrates positive attitude to learning
• Accepts positive feedback and constructive criticism
• Recognizes and expresses when one does not know something
• Accepts new learning challenges
• Willing to work independently
• Takes responsibility for learning
• Takes initiative
• Takes risks in learning situations
• Manages time (e.g. makes realistic estimates about time, meets deadlines, completes activities and tasks in a logical order)
• Attends class regularly and punctually
• Checks accuracy of work

Goal Setting:
The learner:

• Sets realistic short- and long-term goals
• Identifies steps required to achieve goals
• Monitors progress towards achieving goals
• Identifies barriers to achieving goals
• Begins to adjust goals, activities, and timelines to address obstacles to achieving goals

Learning Strategies:
The learner:

• Uses a limited number of learning strategies (e.g. takes notes, organizes learning materials)
• Identifies ways to remember information and reinforce learning
• Sequences activities in multi-step tasks

Monitoring Learning:
The learner:

• Monitors own learning
• Begins to adapt to instructional approaches and learning materials that do not reflect preferred learning style
• Begins to identify how skills and strategies can transfer to different contexts
• Identifies multiple sources of information to complete tasks
• Evaluates own performance using established criteria and tools (e.g. checklist, rubrics)
• Begins to identify ways to improve performance

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – E.2