The Way They Learn [Paperback]

Cynthia Ulrich Tobias (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

The learning-styles expert gives parents a better understanding of the types of learning approaches that will help their children do better in school.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Focus; 1 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561794147
• ISBN-13: 978-1561794140
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Reference

More About the Author

Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is founder and CEO of AppLe St. (Applied Learning Styles) and coordinates education and commerce programs throughout North America and internationally. She is a speaker and the best-selling author of several books including Every Child Can Succeed, Bring out the Best in Your Child, Do You Know What I Like About You? and You Can't Make Me (But I Can be Persuaded). She lives near Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

216 of 224 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting but out of context..., June 22, 2001

By 

B. Newman (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way They Learn (Paperback)

I truly enjoyed this book. Ulrich manages to give meaningful yet simple overviews of various methods of establishing "types" of learning styles and people. She uses the Gregorc model of mind styles as the premise for the entire book, dovetailing it with some other well-known and scientifically researched theories. Her manner of presenting the information in terms of parent/child really was insightful for me and very useful in understanding my strong-willed young children and myself. HOWEVER, after she peaked my interest I was driven to find out more about the Gregorc Mind Styles which she so heavily relies upon for the book and in the process of doing so discovered that Dr. Gregorc, the creator of the Mind Styles model used by Ulrich, quite adamantly abandoned the model for use with children and students due to unreliable scientific results and "danger" to children. It would do one well to visit Gregorc Associates Inc. on the web and place Ulrich's information in context and read Dr. Gregorc's own lengthy comments on why he does not use the Mind Styles delineator with children. In light of Dr. Gregorc's reservations about using his own model with children I think it's quite surprising that Ulrich would use it as the basis for her entire book on how children learn. I think you'll find this book a fun read and most likely helpful in many of your relationships, not just with your children. But Dr. Gregorc has convinced me to be cautious in how I apply and assess these styles with respect to my children. I intend not to take it too seriously, and certainly not to label my children with one particular "style." I wish Ulrich had addressed Gregorc's research-based reasons for not applying it to children in order to put things better in perspective. But alas, I guess the book wouldn't sell as well that way would it? It's certainly an easier read than Gregorc's own work and many of the folks Ulrich reaches with her book might never have been exposed to Gregorc's work otherwise (myself included.) In any case, I intend to recommend this book to others with certain caveats because I believe the book is well written and there is certainly something to Dr. Gregorc's model when it comes to the way adults parent. The other scientific research and models she uses in the book are all controversial on some front (Gardner's "seven types of intelligence" comes to mind.) but if one approaches this book with a light heart and an understanding that you will have to incorporate each model into your own framework with a dose of skepticism then I think you'll find it useful.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST READ" for parents/educators and co-workers!, February 7, 1999

By 

Kim (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Way They Learn (Paperback)

'The Way They Learn' is an excellent book on the learning styles of all children AND adults. It is written so that parents can understand it and begin to identify and search out the strengths of both their children and themselves. Ms. Tobias is careful to warn parents of the dangers of having children inaccurately labled as having a learning disability, when in fact it may be that the child simply has a different learning style than both his teacher and/or parent. No matter what learning style your child may have... when all is said and done, they are to be held accountable for the end result. I may need absolute quiet to concentrate on my homework, while my sister needs that stereo going and food to munch. If both our assignments are completed on time... then 'that was the point!' I am not a 'reader', but I read this book in one night after having the good fortune of hearing Ms. Tobias speak in Northern New Jersey this weekend. My husband and I have one daughter, we work full-time and have taught Bible classes for many grade school ages over the past 10 years. Having read this book we feel it will help us better understand and be able to more effectively deal with our daughter and our co-workers. It will also help us to be sure we are reaching all styles in our classroom rather than just concentrating on the 'majority'. Ms. Tobias is an excellent speaker as she is both insightful and entertaining. I highly recommend both her book and the opportunity to hear her speak.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INFORMATIVE!! WELL WRITTEN!! WONDERFUL INSIGHT!!, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way They Learn (Paperback)

I can't say enough good things about this book. I feel every parent should be given one in the hospital and every teacher should be required to read it before certification. Tobias' insight and explanations of learning styles saved me from pulling my hair out (or having it all turn gray) with my wonderfully bright, definitely analytical/structual son. Her ten comandments for each style helps the reader see what affects, both bad and good, a person's actions can have on different learning styles. Her suggestions on various approaches to learning have opened a whole new world for both my son and myself. I believe this book offers insight that will allow EVERY student to be successful.