Learning styles -DeMeo

Copyright © 2008-2010

Learning Styles

Rachele DeMeo, M.A., M.Ed.


OutlineOutline Introduction What are Learning Styles? The Auditory Learning Style & Strategies The Visual Learning Style & Strategies The Kinesthetic Learning Style & Strategies The Tactile Learning Style & Strategies Summary of Learning Styles Self-Teaching / Self-Learning Finding out your Learning Style Resources

Introduction What are Learning Styles? The Auditory Learning Style & Strategies The Visual Learning Style & Strategies The Kinesthetic Learning Style & Strategies The Tactile Learning Style & Strategies Summary of Learning Styles Self-Teaching / Self-Learning Finding out your Learning Style Resources


Introduction

Knowing how any person can learn information is very important in academic success. Many factors are involved when it comes to learning. Each student will have preferences when it comes to the learning environment, to the atmosphere and the way learning is done. Learning Styles is an important aspect to take into consideration when studying or learning. It can help the student retain information.


What are learning Styles?

There exists four kinds of Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and Tactile. Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners are quite similar. Each person has at least one Learning Style but often more than just one. A Learning Style is the way an individual best learns. Using your Learning Style(s) aids in learning and in knowledge retention.


The Auditory Learning Style

Auditory Learners learn best when information is presented auditory in an oral language format. They enjoy participating in classroom discussions. They benefit from lectures, audio tapes and other forms of verbal instruction.


Learning Strategies for Auditory Learners

Learning Strategies for Auditory Learners

Auditory Learners learn best by:• Joining a study group of having a “study-

buddy” with whom to exchange verbal communication with.

• Repeating information out-loud.• Tape-recording information.• Using Audio tapes (even for “reading” a book).• Restating problems in own words (preferably

out-loud).• Writing out and then repeating information.

Auditory Learners learn best by:• Joining a study group of having a “study-

buddy” with whom to exchange verbal communication with.

• Repeating information out-loud.• Tape-recording information.• Using Audio tapes (even for “reading” a book).• Restating problems in own words (preferably

out-loud).• Writing out and then repeating information.


The Visual Learning Style

Visual learners are best taught when information is presented visually and in a written language format. Seeing an outline on a whiteboard, reading a book, looking at colors, etc. are all beneficial for Visual Learners to learn. These students enjoy taking class notes, reading from the textbook and can often work alone. Visual Learners do just that: they can VISUALIZE information to remember it.


Learning Strategies for Visual Learners

Visual Learners learn best by:• Using highlighter pens, highlighting different

kinds of information in contrasting colors.• Taking notes, even in abbreviation.• Making flashcards of vocabulary words and

concepts that need to be memorized.• Writing explanations of diagrams, illustrations,

pictures, etc. • Before exams taking review notes (sticky

notes, flashcards, etc.) to reread.

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The Kinesthetic Learning Style

Kinesthetic Learners are best taught when involved with hands-on activities. They enjoy physical activities, lab experiments and in-class demonstrations.Often drivers who are Kinesthetic Learners memorize a location by actually driving there.


Learning Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners

The best way for Kinesthetic Learners to memorize information is to:Take notes during lectures. Sit close to instructor to avoid distractions.When studying, walk back and forth rereading class notes.Make flashcards with symbols on them.Use the computer for research.Listen to Audio tapes while exercising.

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The Tactile Learning Style

Tactile Learners and Kinesthetic Learners are interchangeably blended because of their similarities.Tactile Learners certainly enjoy hands-on activities and physical activities. They are however more drawn to their senses (in general). They enjoy learning information they can feel, see, taste, smell and hear. They might enjoy learning about new food by actually tasting it, for example.


Learning Strategies for Tactile Learners

Just like Kinesthetic Learners, Tactile Learners should make use of notes, audio tapes, experiments and group discussions.They can also memorize information by using their senses. For instance, if they are learning about certain types of flowers in a Southern Region in France, they might want to go and actually pick lavender, sunflowers, poppies, etc to look and smell the flowers.Any activity they can do using several senses to be stimulated will facilitate memorization.


Summary on Learning Styles

Auditory learners remember by talking out loud, like to have things explained orally and may have trouble with written instructions. Auditory learners may talk to themselves when learning something new.

Visual learners easily remember visual details and prefer to see what they are learning. They prefer to write down instructions and may have trouble following lectures.

Kinesthetic learners prefer activities that allow them to do what they are learning about.

Tactile learners like to touch things in order to learn about them and like to move around when talking or listening.


Self-Teaching / Self-Learning

When Students know their Learning Style, it certainly helps them retain information better and for a longer period of time. Each student should know his / her Learning Style and which ways are best for him / her to learn new information, retain it and study for tests. Most students can know which Learning Styles they have (or take a quiz) and can most certainly help themselves learn best!


Finding out Your Learning Style

You might already know your own Learning Style by now.

For a free online quiz to help determine your Learning Styles, you may go to the following website:

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm



Simple Learning Styles Quiz

Ask yourself the following question?

What way do I best learn

and retain information? Do I enjoy hearing things said (in lectures, songs, speeches,

etc)? Do I need to visualize information (whether in writing, color,

drawings, etc)? Do I learn through hands-on activities (lab work, projects, taking

notes, etc)? Do I prefer to do several things at once (ex: read while

standing/walking, hear/see information)?



Resources The Four Modalities: www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/2106/4mod.html

Miller, S,. (2000). Learning Styles Survey ©.

Collin, R., (1987). Learning Styles.

Four Learning Styles: www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/four-learning-styles.html

Fleming, G., Learning Style Quiz Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory Styles

Online Learning Styles Quiz: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm

http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/2106/4mod.html

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/four-learning-styles.html


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Learning styles -DeMeo