Customer Reviews

The Way They Learn

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

'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.

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.

This book provides valuable information about how children deal with new information as they grow and develop, which also lends to pratical application for understanding adult behavior. It explains different learning styles with examples of how to best assist the learner in his or her growth, both personal and intellectual. This book is written in an easy to read, interesting format that involves the reader while providing a wealth of information. I feel this book is extremely helpful for parents, teachers and anyone interested in taking an active role in fostering a child's education and development.

Tobias's book, "The Way They Learn" is a well structured composite of the five most useable theories of learning styles. Being an experienced teacher, and having focused on my students' styles of learning over the past years, I have seen a remarkable increase in student involvement in the learning process when the activity is matched to the learning style of the child. The introductory chapters give a good foundation for understanding the learning style models, but I particulary like parents to read and discuss with me the chapters on how we concentrate, how we remember, and how we understand. Parents are often amazed that their children can learn very easily in a completely different environment than they need to focus and concentrate. This book not only gives the basics, but along the way gives lots of good tips for working with children on specific learning problem areas. All teachers and parents should know this research exists and is accurately useful.

I am so impressed with the simplicity and utility of Ms. Tobias' book. Suddenly, it makes sense that one kid can learn with the radio on (which always drives me nuts) and another always studies best while lying on the floor. Every teacher should read this book. A home run!

I believe this book is a must for those who wish to garner a love of life and learning in their children. I as a homeschool mom have found it a source of comfort and much needed insight in learning to deal with my children who have radically different learning styles. This is a good place to start when embarking on the road to discovering the way another person (child) thinks, learns and perceives their world.

Highly, highly, highly recommend this book. It explains in a very easy-to-read format how everyone has a different way of taking in and processing information. This should be a must read for all teachers and administrators. In order to effectively reach all students, we are going to have to change the way we are teaching to reach ALL learners. This book explains in very concrete terms why some children "seem" to do better in school than others. Great book.

This book was wonderful. As a homeschooling mother I was able to understand the different learning styles for my children and myself, which only helped to make me a better teacher. I am able to guide them to do their best. This is a wonderful book and Cynthia U. Tobias writes so that anyone can understand her. I would recommend this book be read by any homeschooling parent, or any person who is working with children; i.e. day care workers, teachers, etc. Thank you for the clarity you give in your work!

I am a homeschool mom and this book was given to me to read. I have learned so much about myself, my children, and my husband from this book! I think every parent should read this and every teacher should definately read it! I am purchasing a copy for the public school in my town in hopes of getting the teachers there to read it and step outside of their own mold to help children learn!