response to Jacquie's post Sept. 22nd

I read Jacquie's post with interest. We come from different teaching perspectives, she with adult learners, and me with young children, and yet we both agree that each learner develops a distinct learning style. In fact, educators in recent years have come to believe that learning styles are so important that elementary teachers are now mandated to develop a learning profile on each student at the start of the year. Surveys to determine multiple intelligences, right/left/middle brain dominance and tactile/auditory/visual learning are now common in schools. Instead of the behaviourist days of the past, when our parents were admonished to leave the work of teaching to the 'professionals', student and parents are now encouraged to take an active role in their own learning. Metacognition is taught even in the early years.
I believe in the theory of constructivism, but allow my students to build their knowledge base through a variety of learning strategies from formal written assignments to dramatic presentations to developing a board or computer game to teach a concept to the class. Choice is often, (but not always) offered. :)