Copyright of @Rasmussen College

EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION THROUGH UNDERSTANDING LEARNING STYLES

My students are not understanding what I am conveying! What do I do?

Change your teaching style to match your students’ learning styles.

Module ObjectiveImprove your training ability by

understanding and conceptualizing learning styles in relation to a student(s) preferred method of comprehension and enhance achievement.

What is a learning style?According to Ellis (1985), the way a

person prefers to receive, store and retrieve material is known as a person’s preferred learning style.

Different Types of Learning StylesThere are three basic categories of

learning styles:VisualAuditoryKinesthetic/Tactile

VAK ModelThere are two additional ones that

should be mentioned as well:Reading and WritingEnvironmental

Characteristics

Process material when it is presented in a visual manner. Illustrations Graphs Images Demonstrated

MemoryDoodlesDifficulty with verbal

instructions.

HandoutsText IllustrationsPower Point Worksheets

The Visual Learner

Teaching Strategies

Characteristics

Process information via spoken words.

May prefer to read aloud.

Difficulty with written instructions.

DialogueGroup

Collaboration/Study Groups

LecturesAllow for

recordingsReview directions

Auditory Learner

Teaching Strategies

Characteristics

Processes information best when they can manipulate or “touch” the material.

Enjoys activities.Works through a

problem.

ActivitiesRole PlayingDemonstrationsGamesComputer

Applications

The Kinesthetic Learner

Teaching Strategies

Characteristics

Learn best by taking notes

Reading the textSummarize

readings

Be clear on lecture objectives

Encourage advanced organizers

The Reading and Writing Learner

Teaching Strategies

Characteristics

Learn best in their desired “environment”.

Formal vs. InformalNoise v. QuietTemperatureLightingMobility

Environmental Learners

Teaching Strategies

How can adapting my teaching style to my students’ learning style benefit everyone?

Encourage students to understand how they learn and adapt to your teaching methods.Adapt to other instructors.

Go for “matching”…avoid “mismatching”

Intervention

Present information being considerate of all applicable learning styles. Allows for all students to be involved.

Involvement =Success!

Enhance your Learning Experience

Ellis, Rod. 1985. Understanding Second Language Acquisition. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Feldman, R.S. (2010). P.O.W.E.R. Learning and Your Life: Essentials of Student Success. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; Boston, Massachusetts

 Ferrett, S. K. (1997). Peak Performance: Success in College & Beyond. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; Chicago, Illinois

Copyright of @Rasmussen CollegeAbout the Author: This presentation was

created by Melissa Opheium,