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Learning Styles/ Personality Types

Florida and the Islands Comprehensive Center

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Brain research confirms what experienced teachers

have always known:

•No two children are alike•No two children learn in the

identical way•An enriched environment for one

student is not necessarily enriched for another

• In the classroom we should teach children to think for themselves

Marian Diamond

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Why should I care about learning styles?

•The way a child learns affects his/her entire personality and development.

•Understanding learning styles will help teachers and students to better communicate.

•Understanding learning styles will help teachers to differentiate instruction.

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What is a learning style?

•A learning style is…– a way to take in and process

information– a preference that gets stronger

the more it is used– the way the mind operates– the way we learn!

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Sensing Thinking Learner(ST)

•Likes:– Immediate responses and feedback–Details and sequential order–Hands-on activities with a specific,

correct answer–Clear, concise, step-by-step directions–Knowing exact expectations; why

something has to be done, and how well it is to be done

–Drill and practice

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Intuitive Thinking Learner (NT)

•Likes:–Planning and organizing before

working–Working independently–Analyzing and examining pros and cons–Arguing and debating– Thinking about ideas and how they are

related– Finding/designing a new way to do

something– Logical and strategic games

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Intuitive Feeling Learner(NF)

•Likes:– Learning without time constraints–Praise for personal ideas and

insights–Using creativity and imagination–Open-ended activities with many

possibilities–Working on many things at once–Self-expression and self-discovery–Creative and artistic activities

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Sensing Feeling Learner(SF)

•Likes:– Getting personal attention and praise– Sharing feelings and experiences– Working in groups/being part of a team– Having someone show how to do

something– Role-playing and personal expression– Non-competitive games where no one

loses– Interpersonal activities; opportunities to

learn about himself/herself

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What is your learning style?

Sensing Thinking (ST)

Intuitive Thinking (NT)

Intuitive Feeling (NF)

Sensing Feeling (SF)

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Questions:

•Sensing Thinking (ST): WHAT?

• Intuitive Thinking (NT): WHY?

• Intuitive Feeling (NF): WHAT IF?

•Sensing Feeling (SF): WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

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In A Nutshell…

• No one learning style is better than another.

•We all have characteristics of each learning style; some characteristics are just stronger than others.

• Learning about each style will help us to better understand and communicate with our students.

• Knowing about each learning style will help teachers to better understand how students learn and how to differentiate instruction.