Discovering and Using Your Learning Styles Chapter 1

1 | 2 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Three Cognitive Modalities Learning Objective: Identify your preferred cognitive learning style and describe learning strategies you can use to utilize your preferred learning style and strengthen your other modalities.

1 | 3 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Three Cognitive Learning Styles The term cognitive learning styles refers to the general way people prefer to have information presented in order to problem solve, process, learn, and remember new information. Learning styles reflect learning style preferences. Visual Learners Auditory Learners Kinesthetic Learners

1 | 4 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Benefits of Understanding Your Learning Style You will be able to: Understand how you best learn new information. Select study strategies that capitalize on your strengths as well as strategies to strengthen other modalities. Identify reasons learning at times is difficult. Recognize ways to adjust your learning approaches. Understand that learning is an individualized process that you can control in many ways.

1 | 5 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Inventory Scoring and Discussion

1 | 6 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Factors that Affect the Development of Your Learning Style Preferences Innate abilities and strengths Neurological make-up Interests Educational background and training Personal experiences and successes Learning environment and opportunities Cultural and family influences

1 | 7 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Visual learners learn and remember best by seeing and visualizing information. Visual learners: often can recall numbers, words, pictures, diagrams, and charts. demonstrate strong visualization skills. make movies in their minds. exhibit above average visual-spatial, color, design, and aesthetic skills.

1 | 8 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Essential Strategies for Visual Learners Highlight textbooks and notes. Use colors and pictures. Create “movies in your mind.” Create visual study tools. Visualize graphic materials. Copy and visualize information. Write and recall details or directions.

1 | 9 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Auditory learners learn and remember best by hearing and discussing information. Auditory learners: listen, talk, discuss, explain, and debate. use auditory memory to recall details. are able to recall words, voices, and sounds from conversations, recorded information, or lectures. demonstrate love-of-language skills. possess strong vocabulary and oral communication skills. often use finely-tuned ears to attend to and learn words, languages, and music.

1 | 10 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Essential Strategies for Auditory Learners Participate in discussions and groups. Work with a study buddy or tutor. Verbalize information you see or read. Recite information without referring to print. Formulate questions. Create study tapes. Create rhymes, jingles, or songs.

1 | 11 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Kinesthetic learners learn and remember best by using large and small body movements and hands-on experiences. Kinesthetic learners: touch, handle, use, manipulate, sort, assemble, and work with physical objects. engage in hands-on experiences. develop muscle memory through repetition. choose activity-based learning. use coordination, sense of time, and body movement skills in the learning process.

1 | 12 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Essential Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners Create muscle memory through repetition. Create and use manipulatives. Use exaggerated movement and hand gestures. Work on a computer. Work at large charts or blackboards. Incorporate movement-based activities. Create action games to learn factual information. Walk while reciting, visualizing, or rehearsing.

1 | 13 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Multisensory strategies involve using two or three modalities: see, say, and do. See-Say-Do Strategies: Boost your memory and ability to recall. Code information into memory through different sensory channels or paths. Create multiple cues to access memory and recall. Promote active learning. Engage you in the learning process in new ways.

1 | 14 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Linear and Global Learners Learning Objective: Identify your linear- or global-learner tendency and describe how it affects the way you process information.

1 | 15 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Brain Dominance Theory Two hemispheres are connected neurologically by the corpus callosum (a complex network of nerve fibers). Each hemisphere has specific functions. Information enters one hemisphere and is then shared with the other hemisphere for total processing. People tend to have a preference for initially processing information through the left or the right hemisphere.

1 | 16 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Brain Dominance Theory

1 | 17 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. The terms linear learner and global learner refer to the brain hemisphere preference for the initial processing of new information. Linear/Left-Brain LearnersGlobal/Right-Brain Learners Begin with details: words, numbers, steps, arguments. Use logic, structure, sequencing, and predictable patterns. Learn well in straightforward presentations. Begin with generalized big pictures. Use colors, visualization, imagination, creativity, intuition, spatial skills, and rhythms. Learn well through discovery, experimentation, discussions, brainstorming, and group processes.

1 | 18 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Essential Strategies for Linear Learners in Global-Learning Situations Ask for a summary of important points. Organize discussion points after class. Take notes on multiple sources of information and then integrate information in a logical, structured format. Create a more detailed structure in textbooks and notes by adding your own headings or subheadings.

1 | 19 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Essential Strategies for Global Learners in Linear-Learning Situations Ask for examples or anecdotes to clarify information in lectures. Ask about connections, relationships, trends, or themes when details seem disconnected. Discuss topics with a study buddy or tutor, in a study group, or in online chat group. Use your creativity by adding colors, pictures, and diagrams to notes and materials. Rearrange information into charts or visual notes to emphasize the big pictures with related details. Survey chapters to get the big picture.

1 | 20 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Multiple Intelligences Learning Objective: Define the term intelligences and describe the common characteristics of each of Howard Gardner’s eight intelligences.

1 | 21 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Gardner's Eight Intelligences Linguistic Logical- Mathematical Musical Bodily- Kinesthetic Spatial Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist

1 | 22 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. IQ and MI Traditional IQ Measures intellect in areas of verbal, visual-spatial, and logical mathematics Formal, standardized tests used to establish IQ level Multiple Intelligence Eight areas of potential identified using scientific criteria Informal inventories indicate preferences Standardized tests to assess MI levels are not available

1 | 23 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Key Points in Gardner’s Definition of Intelligences: An intelligence is a biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture. (Source: Gardner. Intelligence Reframed, Basic Books, 1999, p )

1 | 24 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Learning Potentials and Intelligences To some degree, we already possess all eight intelligences. The potential to use each intelligence already exists. Potentials will or will not be activated depending on : –Culture -Opportunities –Experiences -Personal choices/decisions

1 | 25 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Subintelligences Subintelligences: core abilities that are part of a larger individual intelligence. Each of the eight intelligences has a set of core abilities or subintelligences. A person with a well-developed specific intelligence may not demonstrate strength in all of the subintelligences. The potential exists to strengthen subintelligences.

1 | 26 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. MI and Career Interests What career options are well suited for individuals with a strong intelligence in: Linguistic Logical-Mathematical Musical Bodily-Kinesthetic Spatial Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist

1 | 27 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. The Multiple Intelligence Theory (MI) Key Points: The MI Theory challenges the traditional theory of intelligence (IQ). Gardner uses scientific criteria to define intelligences. Subintelligences are core abilities that are part of a larger individual intelligence. A person may not exhibit high abilities in each subintelligence of a specific intelligence.

1 | 28 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Discussion Questions about the MI Theory How can levels of intelligences be tested or measured? What would need to occur for Gardner or other researchers using Gardner’s theory to identify a new set of skills as an intelligence? How would you benefit by participating in a class that is based on a MI instructional approach?

1 | 29 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Discussion: Chapter 1 Terminology Cognitive learning styles Learning modalities Learning style preference Multisensory strategies Verbalize Recite Brain Dominance Theory Linear learner Global learner Theory of Multiple Intelligences An intelligence Subintelligences

1 | 30 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Discussion: Chapter 1 Terminology Discuss the basic characteristics of each intelligence. Discuss basic subintelligences or core abilities of each. Linguistic Logical-Mathematical Musical Bodily-Kinesthetic Spatial Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist

1 | 31 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Discussion Topics 1.How does understanding different learning styles change the way you respond or relate to other students? 2.How does understanding different learning styles change the way you respond or relate to your instructors? 3.What relationship do you see between linear learners and one or more of Gardner’s eight intelligences?

1 | 32 Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Chapter 1 Discussion Topics 4.What relationship do you see between global learners and one or more of Gardner’s eight intelligences? 5.How different would your educational experiences to date be if your teachers had used more classroom approaches that recognized and activated all eight multiple intelligences?