Conference Photos

Preconference

UPDATE: The Preconference is now full. We are no longer accepting registrations.

We are pleased to offer this year's LOEX participants the opportunity to attend a preconference on "Bridging Learning Differences: Perceptual Thinking Patterns," to be held on Thursday, May 8th, 1:00-4:30, at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. (Directions)

This preconference is open ONLY to people who have had their registration confirmed by LOEX. There is a separate registration fee of $40. More information on fee payment.

For questions about registration for the preconference, contact Abbie Loomis.

Bridging Learning Differences: Perceptual Thinking Patterns

Presenters: Vida Groman and Denise Jess

When teaching, have you ever:

......had the experience of reaching some students but clearly missing
others?

......had the experience of wanting to expand your range of teaching
methods but not been sure how to do that?

......had the sense that learning differences existed but weren't sure how to address those differences in your teaching?

or are you simply interested in understanding more about differences in learning?

If you have had some of these experiences and questions, then this half day presentation on learning patterns will be perfect for you.

As educators we have been taught to be aware of students' learning needs. When we think about students, we may think of them as learning visually, or kinesthetically, or auditorally. However, believing that a student is only a visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner falls short of the full experience. The Perceptual Thinking Patterns™ (PTP) model, developed by Dr. Dawna Markova, is based on brain wave research and teaches that the mind needs all 3 experiences in order to learn.

The PTP model is also an invaluable tool for educators to use in examining their own learning patterns. Such self-assessment is critical, for as educators, we are sometimes biased by our innate approaches to learning without even realizing it. How we conduct our teaching-- how we view, feel, or listen for student progress-- is influenced by our model of the world.

During this introductory presentation, we will describe how the mind uses visual, auditory and kinesthetic information to access the three brain waves related to the functions of learning - organizing, problem-solving and creating. As a group, we will generate ideas for applying the PTP model to our educational settings.

Testimonials

This presentation was offered to University of Wisconsin-Madison instruction librarians at their annual retreat in August 2002. Here are some comments from the retreat evaluations:

"...[the workshop] reinforced my desire to provide a variety of learning opportunities and experiences for my library instruction students, incorporating such things as model building, aromas, hands-on computer exercises, web pages, and handouts - all in an attempt to reach their own perceptual thinking patterns. Groman and Jess are a dynamic team, and attending their workshop on Perceptual Thinking Patterns has made me a better, more interesting teacher."

"I thought the workshop was especially interesting this year. The insights gained are useful in all training situations, not just undergraduate teaching."

"Very interesting and thought-provoking."

"I enjoyed the presentation, and it was helpful to take a fresh look at learning patterns."

"I liked the afternoon presentation, which was very provocative and fun."

"I learned a lot and I’ve continued to think about it quite frequently. This will really help our teaching."

Fee payment

Mail the payment to:

Abbie Loomis, Coordinator
Library & Information Literacy Instruction Program
443D Memorial Library
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706

Payment must be postmarked no later than March 26. No exceptions.