Learning Styles

What are Learning Styles? Learning Styles are simply different approaches or ways of learning.

What are the types of Learning Styles? Auditory Visual Kinesthetic/Tactile

Auditory Learners learn through listening… Verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through Tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud.

Auditory Learners Prefer to hear information spoken Can absorb a lecture with little effort May not need careful notes to learn. Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate May read aloud to themselves Like background music when they study

Auditory Study Tips Attend all lectures, discussions – to hear the important information. Study in a quiet environment – avoid auditory distractions. Read aloud - your brain will remember the sound longer Use a tape recorder to record lectures, etc. Study with others.. Auditory learners benefit the most from group study.

Visual Learners learn through seeing… Need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression. Tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom May think in pictures and learn best from visual displays Prefer to take detailed notes during lecture or classroom discussion to absorb the information.

Visual Learners Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams, cartoons, demonstrations Picture words and concepts they hear as images Easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when studying

Study Tips Visual Style Visual Study Tips Use colors often when studying; e.g. write with colored pens, highlight important concepts/definitions (Note – the brain remembers Red the longest. Write important facts, words, definitions in red. Draw maps, charts, diagrams Use bright colored ‘ sticky notes ’ Post where you will see them often. Create flash cards with colored pens for review Avoid visual distractions in study environment

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners learn through moving, doing, and touching… Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information In traditional lecture situations, they should write out important facts Create study sheets connected to vivid examples Role-playing can help them learn and remember important ideas Okay, I get it now.

Tactile/Kinesthetic study tips Make your study time more physical: walk when you study; read on a treadmill/elliptical machine; chew gum; squeeze a stress ball; consider studying at a standing desk, or on an exercise ball. Vary your activities e.g. review notes, read textbook, rewrite concepts on flashcards, etc. Study in small chunks. Take frequent breaks. Use as many senses as possible

Using Knowledge of Your Learning Style Knowing your learning style, both your strengths and your weaknesses, can help you study more effectively.

A Movie Theater Experience Exercise – You are in a crowded movie theater and after some time into the movie you begin to smell smoke. Suddenly you notice smoke billowing up by the stage. What would you most likely do first? Start yelling “ Fire! ” (Auditory) Quickly look for the fire exits (Visual) Start running towards the exits, grabbing others while you run (Kinesthetic) While you may do all three of these things at some point, your first reaction is most likely your preferred learning style.

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