Different learning styles on the wheel
Waveform has given me the opportunity to hone individualized beginner pottery instruction with hundreds of students. In such an intimate classroom (sometimes it’s just you and me!), there is opportunity for students to give constant feedback on my teaching style - I try to be as observant as possible and adjust my teaching to each learner. I’ve learned from people over time and built up a range of techniques that I use to ensure my pottery instruction feels inviting and relatable to many kinds of learners.
Below are some strategies I have on hand when I recognize I’m working with different kinds of learners:
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic
Mathematical/Logical
Gestalt
Social/Interpersonal
Solitary/Intrapersonal
Experimental (EVERYONE!)
Often I draw from all of these styles throughout a session, or if someone is really explicit with their style of learning, I’ll tailor the instruction as requested.
The whiteboard in the garage where Waveform was born - you can see step by step processes and a bit of on the fly scribbling from previous sessions!
Visual
You need to see it to understand it! For the visual learners at Waveform, I made a large poster with clear illustrations of each step; throughout the class I’ll show how to hold tools, demonstrating to they can see. Using vivid metaphors during the demo can also help retain information. I also have a whiteboard I pull out now and then to draw their piece and with arrows, show them the geometry behind the shape / why it’s changing the way it is with the way their hands are touching it.
Students listening to the verbal instructions of the demo!
Auditory
Auditory learners benefit from verbal instruction. I narrate my demo, and throughout our session I’ll chat with you or narrative the processes you are going through, folding in suggestions. Vivd metaphors can also help, silly phrases that que. Folks with strong auditory senses may also feel more relaxed and open to learning with music that is relaxing or motivating. I try to create playlists with a balance of these elements, as well as with popular songs from different genres and decades, encouraging the likelihood that someone will hum or sing along as they work. Sound is a huge influence on Waveform (hence the studio’s name) - read more about audio’s impact on the studio here!
Hands gesturing / mimicking movement and demonstrating pressure
Kinesthetic
Clay is already a kinesthetic experience, all about touch! I engage wit the kinesthetic style of learning a lot, and find that kinesthetically learning learners appreciate notes about body adjustment, hands-on assist for help with pressure sensitivity and pacing, tips for more effective, ergonomic stances and even a bit of rhythm and dance encouraged from the playlists at Waveform.
Waveform getting specific with detailed instructions - and some jokes :)
Mathematical / Logical
These learners ask me, how does the wheel work? What is the RPM of the wheel right now? What is the measurement of the depth I’m going for? How tall exactly should my cone be? What’s the goal of this action? Why did this happen? I have diagrams for showing the “math” of what’s happening with your clay - why it became a mushroom, a satellite dish, etc. When it is clear someone is a logical learner, I slow down to explain the minute details (details which can be overwhelming to some - such as explaining the impact of centrifugal force on the peice, which quadrant of the clay your hand should touching).
Sometimes seeing the process from start to finish can be helpful for gestalt learners.
Gestalt
The complement to the logical learning style is a more gestalt approach: rather than focus on the details, folks who excel in pattern recognition who want to know what the end goal is and see a “Birds Eye view”. Again, metaphors are great for this, as are analogies. Gestalt learners will often interrupt the demo with questions (PLEASE INTERRUPT! YES!) that result in me trying new things in front of them to show them how the clay reacts.
An adorable Claydate reflecting on their time together
Social/Interpersonal
These folks learn from engaging with others, showing the differences, watching a classmate do something. Vivid metaphors from the demo, jokes or silly words also stick with interpersonal learners. They learn from one another’s experiences and like to hear stories about other students, or my experiences. They may share a story about what’s going on for them, or ask the person next to them how they did a thing. Let the chatting begin!
A student connects with the material
Solitary / Intrapersonal
Many folks need time and space to themselves to get to know the material and the process. Social norms have us a bit biased towards extraversion - not at Waveform. I like to say that Waveform is introvert-approved. If you learn best by doing and need some quiet time with the experience, I pick up on that and putter around doing chores, keeping an eye on you for when you ask for help. I like to ask solitary learners about their inner experience with the clay to get to know them, let them work independently until they are ready to ask for help, and I take time to explain the why / long game of each step.
A student teachers their younger sibling how to make spiral art with their fingers on the wheel!
Experimental
This is a crucial element of learning that ALL OF THESE LEARNERS need to demonstrate to get to know the material and themselves! This is the art of failure: trying something out and discovering the clay’s limitations. Experimental learning means we value the process, not the product, and we know we are doing it “right” when we are messing up and feeling out of control.
How do you like to learn? Have I missed any learning styles? Come on in for a class and discover which approaches resonate most with you!
I’m Caty, but the way. Learn more about my journey to becoming a pottery instructor and discover what Waveform is all about!
