Sensory Preferences and Learning Style

Three Basic Learning Modalities

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Learning Style

We take in and begin to process information through our senses.

Our preferences in the way we take in information influences our ability to learn in different environments.

Sensory Modalities

Auditory Visual Kinesthetic/Tactile

Auditory Learner

enjoys oral discussionstudies by talking aloudrequires oral

explanationshas trouble with written

directionreinforces a task by

talking him/herself through it

More Auditory Traits from USD* sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to

what is happening in front may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain

why they are wearing what they are wearing and why hum or talk to themselves or others when bored acquire knowledge by reading aloud remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they

don't they may have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).

*source online: University of South Dakota –

www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html

Visual Learner

remembers visual details

follows along when others read

prefers to see what’s to be learned

needs written instructionhas trouble following

lectures

More Visual Traits from USD*

take numerous detailed notes tend to sit in the front are usually neat and clean often close their eyes to visualize or remember something find something to watch if they are bored like to see what they are learning benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic

distraction find passive surroundings ideal

*source online: University of South Dakota –

www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html

Kinesthetic Learner

has to do it to know it

prefers activity-based learning

studies by writing over and over

may be restless in class

More Kinesthetic Traits from USD*

need to be active and take frequent breaks speak with their hands and with gestures remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling

what was said or seen find reasons to tinker or move when bored rely on what they can directly experience or perform activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and

art help them perceive and learn enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating

materials sit near the door or someplace else where they can

easily get up and move around are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack

opportunities for hands-on experience communicate by touching and appreciate physically

expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back *source online: University of South Dakota –

www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html

The Wagner Preference InventoryBrain hemisphere dominance is

reported to effect learning style.People that are:

left brain-dominant are primarily auditory learners

right brain-dominant are primarily visual learners.

The Wagner Preference Inventory was used to determine brain hemisphere dominance.

Brain Orientation - Thinking Preference & Learning Style

Two Sides to the Brain

Activity #2

Analytic Learner Global Learner Left Brain Characteristics Right Brain Characteristics

looking at detailsfocusing on one thinggiving direct answersorganizationindividual competitionestablishing routinesworking through ideasfollowing schedules

seeing the “big” picturecooperating in groupsgiving and receiving

praisereading body languagegoing with the flowdoing several things at

oncefocusing on ideas/themeslistening sincerely to

othersreading between the lines

Left BrainCognitive Processing

Linear - Processing information from part to whole; in a straight forward logical progression.

Sequential - Processing information in order from first to last.

Symbolic - Processes symbols; likes to use letters, words and mathematical symbols.

Logical - Processes information piece by piece using logic to solve a problem.

Verbal - Processes thoughts and ideas with words. Reality-Based - Processes information based on

reality; focuses on rules and regulations

Right BrainCognitive Processing

Holistic - Processing information from whole to part; sees the big picture first, not the details.

Random - Processing information with out priority, jumps form one task to another.

Concrete - Processes things that can be seen, or touched - real objects.

Intuitive - Processes information based on whether or not it feels right know answer but not sure how it was derived.

Nonverbal - Processes thought as illustrations. Fantasy-Oriented - Processes information with

creativity; less focuses on rules and regulations

You Almost Always

Left Brain (Analytic)Traitsdo things the same

waylike a neat

environmentare self-motivatedvalue facts over

feelingsask “how do I do it?”

Right Brain (Global)Traitsvisualize the futurethink fast on your

feethave good rapport

with otherssee many solutionsaccept many types

of peopletry to avoid conflict

These Frustrate You Left Brain Traits Right Brain Traits

not knowing the purposenot understanding how a

teacher gradesdealing with generalitieshaving an opinion

expressed as facthaving to find personal

meaning in what you learn

working in groupsquestions with no right

answer

having to explain things step by step

not getting a chance to explain

accept criticism without taking it personally

people who are insensitivenot knowing the meaning

for doing somethingkeeping detailed recordsre-doing anything once it is

donehaving to chose one

answer

Questions You Ask:

Left Brain Traits Right Brain Traits

What facts do I need to know?

What should it look like?

When is it due?

What does this have to do with me?

How can I make a difference?

How much of this is really necessary?

The Potential of Your Brain

Three basic learning modalities

Eight intelligences

Trillions & trillions of brain cells

100 billion neurons in “thinking brain”

20,000 possible connections between neurons

Three brains in one Two sides to the

brain

Multiple Intelligences & Learning Style

“It’s not about how smart you are, but how you are smart!”

Eight Intelligences

Activity #3

Gardner’s Intelligence

“. . . an ability to solve problems or fashion products that are useful in a particular cultural setting or community.”

image source: http://www.essentialschools.org/ images/ff_pics/ff2000/speakers/howard.jpg

Multiple Intelligence Theory -The Seven Eight Intelligences

Howard GardnerVerbal/LinguisticLogical/MathematicalVisual/SpatialBodily/KinestheticMusical/RhythmicInterpersonalIntrapersonalNaturalist+Existential

Interest may = Aptitude, Strength & Preference

vs

Disinterest may = Ineptitude, Weakness &

Prejudice

Verbal – LinguisticVerbal – Linguistic

Word/Book SmartStrengthreading, writing, telling

stories, memorizing dates, thinking in words

Best Learning Stylereading, hearing and

seeing words speaking, writing, discussing, and debating

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

Logical – Logical – MathematicalMathematical

Number/Logic SmartStrengthmath, reasoning, logic,

problem solving, patternsBest Learning Styleworking with patterns and

relationships, classifying, categorizing, working with the abstract

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

Visual – SpatialVisual – Spatial

Art/Picture SmartStrengthreading, maps, charts,

drawing, mazes, puzzles, imaging things, visualization

Best Learning Styleworking with pictures

and colors, visualizing, using the "mind’s eye", drawing

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

Bodily – KinestheticBodily – Kinesthetic

Body/Movement SmartStrengthathletics, dancing,

acting, crafts, using tools

Best Learning Styletouching, moving,

processing knowledge though body sensations

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

Musical – RhythmicMusical – Rhythmic

Music/Sound SmartStrengthsinging, picking up

sounds, remembering melodies, rhythms

Best Learning Stylerhythm, melody,

singing, listening to music and melodies

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

InterpersonalInterpersonal

People/Group SmartStrengthunderstanding people,

leading, organizing, communicating, resolving conflicts, selling

Best Learning Stylesharing, comparing,

relating, interviewing, cooperating

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

IntrapersonalIntrapersonal

Self/Introspection SmartStrengthunderstanding self,

recognizing strengths and weaknesses, setting goals

Best Learning Styleworking alone, doing

self-paced projects, having space, reflecting

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

NaturalistNaturalist

Nature/Environment Smart

Strengthcategorizing, organizing

a living area, planning a trip, preservation, and conservation

Best Learning Stylesharing, comparing,

relating, cooperating and interviewing

image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

What kind of student are you?What kind of student do you want to

be?

Self-Evaluation

Activity #5