All first kisses are memorable. You remember the exact words that led to it, the color of the room, how he or she smelled. Each and every single detail is so well-etched into your memory that even when your old and your once black hair has turned a dull charcoal color, your wrinkled lips form a smile at the thought of it. It may have been great, it may have been so-so, she may have been pretty and he handsome — or not. You may have even completely missed. It doesn’t matter, the memory is just as clear. But have you ever wondered why?

First kisses are unforgettable because it involves affective learning or learning that does not just happen in the brain but affects the heart and inner being of a person. It involves emotions. And when emotions are animated, retention is better.

But this is only one way to spice things up and bring out the genius in any child. Children can learn anything. One does not have to choose between mathematics and the arts, the right side of the brain and the left side.

When taught in a way that suits their learning styles, children, including drop-outs and failing students, demonstrate a willingness to learn and actually perform better. Learning styles are individual ways in which a person begins to absorb, understand and retain new and difficult information.

Some people may need constant mobility, some may have a chewing habit, others may need to watch the television or listen to music to help them learn. The existence of different learning styles among learners has been acknowledged since 1982. And today, many educators adhere to various models of learning styles, with more and more schools proving the theory to be correct.

In 1979, the International Learning Styles Network (ILSN) was established. The ILSN is a network based in St. John’s University, New York and having a membership of some 27 international institutions dedicated to fostering academic, intellectual and personal success through research, development and dissemination of scholarships, practical applications, and training in learning styles. It believes that teachers, as agents of change, need to teach all students through instructional strategies that respond to their unique strengths.

Learning styles can also be used in leadership strategies. Knowing the learning styles of your workforce can go a long way in improving working relationships, productivity and maximizing potentials.

In this light, the ILSN will be conducting a conference at the Baguio Country Club here from January 16-21 where world educators will be sharing their winning leadership strategies. The conference has been divided into two strands to cater to different sets of leaders.

The first strand, Improving Quality of Educational Systems, will be held from January 16-18 for educational leaders, managers and decision makers. Discussions will be on how administrators, consultants, principals, and supervisors can capitalize on teachers’ learning and teaching styles for different innovative instuctional programs. The second part of the conference, Championing Change and Innovation for Multisector Organizational Effectiveness, is scheduled for January 19-21 and will focus on multisectoral groups. Discussions will revolve around improving leadership, individual and team performance through a better understanding of diverse learning and leadership styles.

The conference will likewise bring out common leadership concerns and successful, tried and tested strategies that have been implemented in other countries.