An understanding of the three typical learning modalities, kinaesthetic, auditory and visual, can assist parents to ensure their children are receiving learning information in all three styles. Improvements in their educational abilities should soon be evident. http://www.personaltutors.com.au

1. Understanding Learning Modalities Essential To Your Child’s Success
Human beings are exposed to greater amounts of information in our current society than at
any other time in history. This information comes from many sources including visual media,
written information, general broadcast media and personal devices such as iPods, and oral
information sharing in discussion, stories, lectures etc. The ways in which this information is
taken in, processed and remembered are called learning modalities and are typically
identified as visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. While we use all three modalities, there is
usually a dominant one that becomes a natural preference and can influence the level of
success we have in the ability to learn.
For parents of school-aged children a basic understanding of learning modalities would be
useful if they are accessing private tutor Brisbane outside of school, as they could liaise with
the tutor to make sure the learning strategies support their children. While much of the
research underpinning learning modalities is complex to the ordinary person, understanding
the characteristics of each one and how they apply to individuals is not difficult.
Kinaesthetic learners use their hands and bodies to learn. They prefer doing, touching and
direct involvement, and become fidgety and restless if they are required to watch visual aids
or listen to instructions. They learn best from teachers whose dominant modality is also
kinaesthetic.
Auditory learners need to hear the information to be able to process it. They often talk out
loud to verbalise problems while they are solving them and excel when being taught in a
traditional auditory classroom situation. If the auditory student is learning in an
environment where, for example, a lot of quiet reading is taking place, they may talk or sing
to themselves, or engage in other “noisy” activities.
For a visual learner, their eyes are the key to their learning. They prefer to read text by
themselves, and respond well to graphs, charts, diagrams and pictures which help them
make sense of information. Visual learners will typically take notes, enjoy using assignment
notebooks, calendars and “to do” lists. A visual learner with an auditory teacher will spend
time doodling on notepads, and not paying attention during a lecture.
The education system recognises the importance of these learning modalities and
encourages teachers to use learning strategies that incorporate all of them, seeking to
engage every student. Tutor Sydney also understands their importance and ensures that
they use all three learning modalities when engaged in tutoring activities.
As babies, we are all kinaesthetic learners, exploring the world through touch and taste. As
we grow older we become more auditory and visual, so it is very important that anyone
teaching both children and adults presents the learning materials in all three modalities.
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