Learning Styles At a Glance Terresa D. Fontana, M.A.Ed.

How do you prefer to receive information, moving from the unknown to the known? The answer to this question will define your learning style.

There has been a great deal of research regarding the various learning styles. This presentation will introduce a sample of learning style assessments as well as provide detail about three specific learning styles. Just as every person is unique and individual, each person learns in a unique and individual way. For teachers, understanding the different methods of learning enables the application of a variety of teaching methods. This ensures that all children are able to understand a concept or lesson being taught. As an individual, knowing your personal learning style enables you to prepare yourself for learning new material. You may find that you are able to focus on your natural abilities, allowing for greater successes in your life.

A Sample of Learning Style Assessment Tools VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) Kolb’s Learning Inventory Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Paragon Learning Style Inventory (PLSI)

The VAK is one of the easiest and most widely used learning style assessments. Visual Auditory Kinesthetic

Visual Learners

Characteristics of Visual Learners Prefer reading books and handouts Respond to charts and diagrams Study illustrations and pictures Use maps and recipes Take detailed lecture notes Study with flash cards Write down information for recall Read body language Sit at the front of a classroom Draw pictures in study notes Think in pictures Highlight textbooks

Auditory Learners

Characteristics of Auditory Learners Enjoy listening to lectures and speeches Learn through discussion and dictation Respond to voice inflections and tone Prefer videos and audio tapes to books Love to talk to other people Recite information or make musical mnemonics for recall Read textbooks aloud and tape- record lectures Enjoy story-telling and debates

Kinesthetic Learners

Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners Enjoy hands-on experiences Learn through touch and movement Unable to sit still for any length of time Prefer “doing” rather than listening or reading Thrive in active, vibrant environments May listen to music during study time Spend a great deal of time outdoors

Although there are many different learning styles and learning theories, the three that are discussed in this presentation represent the common aspects of the most well-known and widely accepted learning styles. A definitive presentation on learning styles and the theories and theorists surrounding them could go on indefinitely. This presentation has been simply an introduction to the vast research on learning styles. It is meant to give the most basic information available. Hopefully, it will cause in its audience curiosity and a desire to engage in further research, either on a personal or professional level. When researching your personal learning style, it is important to realize that you may find that your strengths may lie in more than one area. This is highly common and, generally, the styles overlap and compliment each other. Almost everyone rely somewhat on each of the learning styles, yet one or two will be used more often than the others.

References Clark, D. (2000) Learning styles or how we get from the unknown to the known. Retrieved August 7, 2004, from Learning styles explained. Retrieved August 6, 2004, from MacRae, C. (2004) Learning styles. Retrieved August 7, 2004, from Mind tools - memory techniques - how your learning style affects your use of mnemonics. Retrieved August 7, 2004, from Mencke, R. & Hartman, S. Learning Style Assessment. Retrieved July 31, 2004, from The University of Arizona, University Learning Center Web site: