Individual Learning Styles Shanetta Holman

Different Learning Styles  Visual – Learn by what they see. Write things down so the visual learner will remember what is expected during instructional learning time. Use lots of visuals such as pictures, videos, and virtual field trips.  Auditory – Learn by what they hear. Be sure directions are clear and explicit. Students should be seated where distractions are very limited. Classroom management is very important for these learners.  Tactile – Hands on learners. Use lots of manipulative during the learning process. Solicit students help for teacher made manipulative.  Kinesthetic – A mover. Allows students to engage in student participation and cooperative learning groups using hand on methods.  *Integrate Technology and Project-Based Learning often.

Learning Style-Based Teaching  It is important that teachers teach according to students’ learning styles.  Perceptual Preferences: First teach students according to their primary (strongest) or main preference, then their secondary preference and finally through verbal reinforcement.  Time of Day Preference: Conduct a formative assessment to identify when most student are alert? Morning or Afternoon? Collaborate with administrator, adjust, and teach reading and math when students are most alert and focused.  Sociological Preferences: Use formative/summative assessment when teaching in small groups and allow students who are independent efficient to complete individual work.

Learning Styles and Classroom Environments Create a student friendly classroom environment that nurtures individual learning styles. Develop student contracts that explain what is expected when student are allowed to engage in learning away from their everyday, all day assigned seating arrangements. Be sure procedures are clear and explicit. Include consequences for inappropriate behavior and rewards for appropriate behavior. Allow students to work at stations other than just during literacy station time. Integrate technology to enhance learning and student participation.

Learning Styles and State Standards  Teachers must reform their teaching styles to student learning styles.  Higher required state standards require teachers to reform their teaching styles to adapt to students learning styles.  Teach the way students learn if students are to improve academically on state assessments.  Higher academic expectation means implementing strategies that are related to how learners learn.

Learning Styles and Student Achievement  Teaching to students’ learning styles has a positive impact on students’ academic achievements.  Students are learning at their best according to their individual learning styles.  Improved student behavior  Decrease in number of discipline problems  Students are more motivated to learn.  Students show significant gains and improvements on standardized achievement tests.  Students also show significant gains in the areas of reading and math skills.

References  Doolan, L., & Honigsfeld, A. (2000). Illuminating the New Standards with Learning Style: Striking a Perfect Match. Clearing House, 73(5), 274.  Klavas, A. (1994). Learning style program boosts achievement and test scores. Clearing House, 67(3), 149.