LEARNING STYLES

What is a Learning Style?

• Refers to the way you receive, store and retrieve information.

• Many different learning styles

• Not everyone learns the same way

• When you know your preferred Learning Style, you can adapt yourself better to the classroom and learn more effectively outside of class

Learning Styles

• Six Learning Styles

– Reading

– Writing

– Listening (Auditory)

– Speaking

– Visualizing

– Manipulating (hands-on)

Learning Styles

• Often the six are categorized into three styles – Auditory

– Visual

– Tactile

Assessing Your Preferred Learning Style

• Complete assessment in book on pages 126-128

• Complete Learning Styles Inventory introduced in class.

Teaching Modes

• There are four direct teaching modes

– Lecturing

– Group Collaboration

– Visual Presentation

– Manipulating

Indirect Teaching Modes include:

Writing and Reading

Making the Most of Your Preferred Learning Style

• Visual Learners: to include reading, writing, visualizing – Keep text with you during lectures so you can

refer to the written word

– Read assignments – keep up on reading and take notes while reading

– Take notes during class-revise them as soon as possible after class

– Create study aids such as notecards, draw diagrams, make charts, etc.

Making The Most of Your Preferred Learning Style

• Auditory Learning: includes speaking and listening

– Compatible with lecture classes

– May benefit from participating in a study group so you can hear others discuss the concepts

– Tape lectures and listen to them again

– Read aloud

Making The Most of Your Preferred Learning Style

• Tactile Learners: hands-on, manipulation – Build models or replicas, create charts, diagrams

and graphs

– Take notes

– Make flash cards and utilize them in your studies

– Transcribe hand written classroom notes on the computer

– For Math, make sure you do the practice problems and homework

Making the Most Out of Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode

• The Teaching Mode will not always match your preferred learning style.

• Students will adapt and strengthen their less preferred or used learning styles

• You will want to master as many learning styles as possible

• Every learning style you strengthen will boost your self-esteem as well as your performance

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode

• Lecture: students who are visual and tactile learners will need to take detailed notes during lectures. Auditory learners will be careful listeners and strengthen visual and tactile skill by taking notes.

• Soon after lecture class – review notes and make corrections. Add diagrams, charts graphs that correspond to material. Can re-write notes on the computer for increased tactile learning. Make note cards for visual and tactile use.

• Strong auditory learners can join study groups to further discuss classroom topics. Information is heard a second time.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode

• Visual Presentations: Students who are tactile and auditory learners will benefit by sitting at the front of the class so they do not miss anything.

• Take notes during the presentation and soon after class, make additions to your classroom notes.

• A study group will help auditory learners in a situation where the material was delivered through visual presentations – a study group could discuss what was viewed and give interpretation of the material

• Tactile learners could re-create visuals as a way to connect with new material.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode

• Group Collaborations – good for auditory learners. Need to come to class prepared so you can actively participate in the group.

• Tactile and visual learners can benefit by taking notes during group work – gives you a “record” of what went on during group work.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode

• Manipulation – works well for tactile learners – lots of hands-on activities in class

• Visual and auditory learners can strengthen their tactile style by taking notes on procedures you might perform in class, utilizing open lab time to “practice” more.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

• Talk with professional who are in the field you are preparing to enter

• Join clubs, societies or other campus organizations • Read journals in the occupational field you plan to

enter • Visit instructors outside the classroom • Enroll in elective courses that will strengthen some of

your weaker skills • Participate in field experiences, internships or

cooperative education programs

“Making a Comeback”

• Evaluate your efforts

• Discuss progress (or lack of) with your instructors – own up to your faults

• Seek help – get a tutor

• When grades begin to slip, get help

• Don’t let personal problems stand in your way