Getting to Know Your Learning Style

Adapted from: Knaak, W.C. (1983) . Learning styles: Application for Vocational Education. Student Development Centre, The University of Western Ontario, University Community Centre

Learning Styles Different situations and learning

environments require different learning strategies, so it's best to have a large repertoire from which to draw

Individual Differences in Learning Style

Background in subject matter-interests Text preference: prose vs. outline Cognitive Skills: Information processing

visual vs. verbal spatial reasoning, sequential reasoning

Personality style: reflective vs impulsive

Demonstration 2 - Individual differences in processing visual information

Learning Style Preferences

Personal Learning Style: How do you learn?

Social Learning Style: Do you like to learn by yourself or in a group?

Reporting Learning Style: How do you share with others?

Personal Learning Style: Visual language

Seeing words Using visuals Writing down words Using information that they read

How do you like to get directions?

0%

0%1. Map2. Written

instructions

0% 0 of 111

10

Take the C train to 110th Street station. Walk westward on 110th Street away from Central Park, up the hill, past St John the Divine Cathedral to Broadway, and walk up to 116th Street. Take the entrance to Lerner Hall. . .

Personal Learning Style: Visual Numerical

Seeing numbers in order tow work with them

Remembering numerical facts that they saw

Don’t need much oral explanation

Personal Learning Style: Auditory Language

Hearing spoken words Reciting to themselves Learning by hearing

Personal Learning Style: Auditory Numerical

Hearing numbers and explanations Memorizing numbers strings by

hearing them Resolving problems in their heads Saying numbers to themselves

Personal Learning Style: Auditory Visual Kinesthetic Combination Learning through experience Combining different stimuli Physically involved Handle and touch while learning

Social Learning Styles Preferences Individual Learner:Learn better by themselves

Group Learner:Prefer to study with someone else

Reporting Learning Styles Preference Oral Learning Reports: Communicate

better orally, eloquent, and fluent. Have difficulty writing.

Written Learning Reports: Write easily, don’t like to respond orally.

Complete the Learning Styles Inventory Most like me 9 Least like me 1

Using the Learning Styles Inventory Scoring Sheet Enter the number you circle for each

statement Add the numbers for each category

Interpreting your scores Scores 36 and above:Dominant

learning style preference Scores 26-35: Major learning style

preference Scores 16-25: Minor learning style

preference Scores 5-15: Not useful

Share your Personal Learning Style with us!

Visual languageVisual numerical

Auditory LanguageAuditory Numerical

Combination

Share your Social Learning Style with us!

Individual Learner

Group Learner

Share your Reporting Learning Style with us!

Expressiveness Oral

Expressiveness Written

Enhancing Auditory Learning: Lecture Learning

Listen Repeat information silently to

yourself “Sub-vocalize"

Enhancing Auditory Learning: Text Learning Rehearse/repeat Study with a partner Use rhymes or jingles to memorize Think about how parts of the words sound Talk to yourself about diagrams and illustrations Tape yourself summarizing key points, replay

tape Read instructions and questions out loud “Sub-vocalize” test questions Choose music with no lyrics

Enhancing Visual Learning: Lecture Learning Watch for key written words Seat where you can see Use visuals like symbols and color in

notes to help flag new concepts and key ideas

Ask the instructor if other visual information is available (eg. course web site, lecture outline)

Enhancing Visual Learning: Text Learning Make an outline of key topics in charts,

sketches, diagrams format Make pictures in your mind Use the Cornell note-taking system Write down problems and/or questions

down Use flash cards to help rehearse Color code notes and highlighting Draw boxes or circles around

terms/concepts and draw lines or arrows to highlight relationships

Enhancing Kinesthetic Learning: Lecture Learning Ask questions and participate in

discussions Take a small object (eg. stress-ball)

to class to play with Consider using a lap-top to take

notes Consider choosing course sections

offering 3 one-hour Use class breaks to stand up and stretch

Enhancing Kinesthetic Learning: Text Learning Do something physical before sitting down to read

or study Highlight, underline, take notes, use practice

questions Use your fingers or a piece of paper to help keep

track of where you are Break reading tasks into small chunks Stop after each chunk, think about what you

learned, and write a brief summary Take regular breaks to move around Write processes, etc. on cards, mix them up, then

practice physically arranging them into the correct sequence

Use your hands when studying and explaining concepts to yourself