What are learning styles?
Learning styles can differ from student to student. Learning styles are the approach an individual takes in learning, or acquiring and assimilating new information. If the student can discover how he or she learns best; the individual will know what strategies and study techniques to employ, in order to accommodate one’s learning style.
Primary types of learning styles:
1. Visual
2. Auditory
3. Kinesthetic or experiential
Who are visual learners?
• Don’t like long speeches
• Responds to viewing charts, pictures, and graphs
• Enjoys observation
• Enjoys visual stimulation
• Develops images in their mind
• Thinks in terms of images and pictures
Visual recommendations:
• Watch your teacher’s body language and pick up on certain cues
• Keep a notebook and pencil readily available
• Write material over and over again
• Draw pictures to help associate what your notes mean
• Utilize technology: computer, tablets, laptops, apps, and other media
• Ask questions in class and stay involved
• Visualize information as a story
Who are auditory learners?
• Prefers oral instruction
• Not a fan of lengthy notes
• Diagnoses meanings through tone and voice
• Responds well to speech and lecture format
• Talks ideas through in their head
• Picks up quickly on words, pitch, and voice nuances
Auditory recommendations:
• Talk things out to yourself
• Try to use word analogies
• Say information out loud, over and over for memorization
• Practice classroom presentations
• Get involved in debates
• Use songs and melodies to aid in memorization
• Converse with friends about your ideas
• Read words out loud when proofreading
Who are kinesthetic or experiential learners?
• Likes to touch and handle objects
• Uses their hands when communicating
• Design oriented
• Enjoys using tools and equipment
• Responds well to activities: painting, drawing, or physical activities
• Sitting for long periods of time is not easy
• Willing to take more chances
• Attracted to exploring
Kinesthetic or experiential recommendations:
• Take breaks when studying
• Switch up topics frequently
• Do more physical things when studying: walk around, ride an exercise bike, play with a squishy ball, read notes while doing chores, chew on taffy
• Make your work desk colorful and intriguing
• Visualize your work from beginning to end
• Play soft music in the background
• Have parents and friends proofread your work
• Use bright colors for highlighting reading passages
• Glance over a passage first to get a feel for it
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