DO NOW: 1.State whether you agree or disagree with this statement-and tell me WHY- “Everyone learns the same way.” Be prepared to justify your answer. 2. Why do you think it is important to find out the best way that YOU learn? 3. How will this benefit you?

Learning Styles The Learning Preference Theory

What IS a Learning Style?  The way you learn  The way you process information  Individual-no right or wrong  Personality influences it  There are different learning styles  Your learning style can change over time  You may have a combination of learning styles

Learning Styles Assessment To sum it up-What is a Learning Style? To sum it up-What is a Learning Style? Learning styles are simply different approaches or ways of learning. On your own, take the brief quiz to see what your preferred learning style is. On your own, take the brief quiz to see what your preferred learning style is.

What are Learning Styles? Information enters your brain three main ways: sight, hearing and touch, which one you use the most is called your Learning Style Information enters your brain three main ways: sight, hearing and touch, which one you use the most is called your Learning Style Visual Learners learn by sight Visual Learners learn by sight Auditory Learners learn by hearing Auditory Learners learn by hearing Kinesthetic Learners learn by touch Kinesthetic Learners learn by touch

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

These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays (handouts, etc). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays (handouts, etc). During a lecture or classroom discussion, they often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information. During a lecture or classroom discussion, they often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information. Learning through seeing…

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

Learning through listening... They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to 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 and using a tape recorder. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder. Often has talents in music and may concentrate better with soft music playing in the background Often has talents in music and may concentrate better with soft music playing in the background

Kinesthetic ( or Tactile) Learners Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information In traditional lecture situations, they should write out important facts In traditional lecture situations, they should write out important facts Likes to use the hands-on approach to learn new material Likes to use the hands-on approach to learn new material Are generally good in math and science Are generally good in math and science Would rather demonstrate how to do something rather than verbally explain it Would rather demonstrate how to do something rather than verbally explain it Usually prefers group work more than others Usually prefers group work more than others

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

Discovering Your Own Learning Style You started off class with the Learning Styles test You started off class with the Learning Styles test Think about your favorite classes in high school or college so far. What do they have in common? Did you like… Think about your favorite classes in high school or college so far. What do they have in common? Did you like… mastering facts?mastering facts? discussion? or working on your own?discussion? or working on your own? lecture? or pairing or grouping?lecture? or pairing or grouping? hands-on activities?hands-on activities? How do you think you learn? How do you think you learn?

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

Build Strengths across the Learning Styles Make the best use of your learning style. Make the best use of your learning style. Work harder in skills that don’t come easily to you. Work harder in skills that don’t come easily to you. Be flexible and adaptable, try new things and new ways. Be flexible and adaptable, try new things and new ways. Keep growing! Don’t be easily satisfied! Keep growing! Don’t be easily satisfied! Progress is our most important trait!

Different Teaching Styles Are they compatible with your learning style? Lecture – teacher talks all period Group discussion – teacher talks but encourages discussion Small groups – teacher aids (facilitates) group interaction Visual focus – teacher uses lots of visual aids Verbal focus – words, words & more words Logical sequence – teacher presents material in a step-by-step, reasonable format Random sequence – teacher jumps all over the place

Make your learning style work for you! Once you have figured out the way you learn, you will need to use specific strategies to fit into your way of learning. Once you have figured out the way you learn, you will need to use specific strategies to fit into your way of learning. For example-if you are a visual learner, what could you use to help you read a story on a handout given to you for class? For example-if you are a visual learner, what could you use to help you read a story on a handout given to you for class?

You could… You could use a highlighter when reading a text passage. The bright color would appeal to your artistic sense and help you concentrate on the reading. You could use a highlighter when reading a text passage. The bright color would appeal to your artistic sense and help you concentrate on the reading.

Remember! No matter what your Learning Style is, it’s very important to- Be involved in class – participate! Be involved in class – participate! Link classroom experience to the outside world Link classroom experience to the outside world Relate class concepts to your own life. Relate class concepts to your own life. Ask questions. Ask questions. Don’t get distracted – stay “on-task” Don’t get distracted – stay “on-task” Keep an open mind: there are many ideas beyond your own. Keep an open mind: there are many ideas beyond your own.

Using this as a tool to help yourself… Everyone is able to learn. Even when you feel that something is hard and confusing, know that you are able to figure it out using strategies that work for you. Remember-there is always another way! Everyone is able to learn. Even when you feel that something is hard and confusing, know that you are able to figure it out using strategies that work for you. Remember-there is always another way! You matter!! The more you are able to understand your strengths and what you are good at, the better you are able to make a positive impact in your own life and the life of others. You matter!! The more you are able to understand your strengths and what you are good at, the better you are able to make a positive impact in your own life and the life of others. Group effort, Yes!