Learning styles -DeMeo

Learning Styles

Rachele DeMeo, M.A., M.Ed.

Copyright © 2008-2010

Outline
Introduction
What are Learning Styles?
The Auditory Learning Style & Strategies
The Visual Learning Style & Strategies
The Kinesthetic Learning Style & Strategies
The Tactile Learning Style & Strategies
Summary of Learning Styles
Self-Teaching / Self-Learning
Finding out your Learning Style
Resources


Introduction

Knowing how any person can learn
information is very important in academic
success. Many factors are involved when
it comes to learning. Each student will
have preferences when it comes to the
learning environment, to the atmosphere
and the way learning is done.
Learning Styles is an important aspect to
take into consideration when studying or
learning. It can help the student retain
information.


What are learning
Styles?
There exists four kinds of Learning
Styles: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and
Tactile. Kinesthetic and Tactile Learners
are quite similar. Each person has at
least one Learning Style but often more
than just one. A Learning Style is the
way an individual best learns. Using your
Learning Style(s) aids in learning and in
knowledge retention.

The Auditory Learning
Style
Auditory Learners learn best when
information is presented auditory in an
oral language format. They enjoy
participating in classroom discussions.
They benefit from lectures, audio
tapes and other forms of verbal
instruction.


Learning Strategies for
Auditory Learners
Auditory Learners learn best by:
• Joining a study group of having a “study-
buddy” with whom to exchange verbal
communication with.
• Repeating information out-loud.
• Tape-recording information.
• Using Audio tapes (even for “reading” a
book).
• Restating problems in own words (preferably
out-loud).
• Writing out and then repeating information.

The Visual Learning
Style
Visual learners are best taught when
information is presented visually and in a
written language format. Seeing an outline on
a whiteboard, reading a book, looking at
colors, etc. are all beneficial for Visual
Learners to learn. These students enjoy
taking class notes, reading from the textbook
and can often work alone. Visual Learners do
just that: they can VISUALIZE information to
remember it.


Learning Strategies for Visual
Learners
Visual Learners learn best by:
• Using highlighter pens, highlighting different
kinds of information in contrasting colors.
• Taking notes, even in abbreviation.
• Making flashcards of vocabulary words and
concepts that need to be memorized.
• Writing explanations of diagrams, illustrations,
pictures, etc.
• Before exams taking review notes (sticky
notes, flashcards, etc.) to reread.

The Kinesthetic
Learning Style
Kinesthetic Learners are best
taught when involved with hands-
on activities. They enjoy physical
activities, lab experiments and in-
class demonstrations.
Often drivers who are Kinesthetic
Learners memorize a location by
actually driving there.


Learning Strategies for
Kinesthetic Learners
The best way for Kinesthetic Learners to
memorize information is to:
Take notes during lectures. Sit close to
instructor to avoid distractions.
When studying, walk back and forth rereading
class notes.
Make flashcards with symbols on them.
Use the computer for research.
Listen to Audio tapes while exercising.

The Tactile Learning
Style
Tactile Learners and Kinesthetic Learners are
interchangeably blended because of their
similarities.
Tactile Learners certainly enjoy hands-on
activities and physical activities. They are
however more drawn to their senses (in
general). They enjoy learning information they
can feel, see, taste, smell and hear. They
might enjoy learning about new food by
actually tasting it, for example.

Learning Strategies
for Tactile Learners

Just like Kinesthetic Learners, Tactile Learners
should make use of notes, audio tapes,
experiments and group discussions.
They can also memorize information by using
their senses. For instance, if they are learning
about certain types of flowers in a Southern
Region in France, they might want to go and
actually pick lavender, sunflowers, poppies, etc
to look and smell the flowers.
Any activity they can do using several senses to
be stimulated will facilitate memorization.


Summary
on Learning Styles
 Auditory learners remember by talking out
loud, like to have things explained orally and
may have trouble with written instructions.
Auditory learners may talk to themselves
when learning something new.
 Visual learners easily remember visual details
and prefer to see what they are learning. They
prefer to write down instructions and may have
trouble following lectures.
 Kinesthetic learners prefer activities that allow
them to do what they are learning about.
 Tactile learners like to touch things in order to
learn about them and like to move around
when talking or listening.

Self-Teaching /
Self-Learning
When Students know their Learning Style, it
certainly helps them retain information better
and for a longer period of time. Each student
should know his / her Learning Style and
which ways are best for him / her to learn new
information, retain it and study for tests. Most
students can know which Learning Styles
they have (or take a quiz) and can most
certainly help themselves learn best!

Finding out Your Learning Style
You might already know your own Learning Style
by now.

For a free online quiz to help determine your
Learning Styles, you may go to the following
website:

 http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyl


Simple Learning Styles Quiz
Ask yourself the following question?
What way do I best learn
and retain information?
 Do I enjoy hearing things said (in lectures, songs, speeches,
etc)?
 Do I need to visualize information (whether in writing, color,
drawings, etc)?
 Do I learn through hands-on activities (lab work, projects, taking
notes, etc)?
 Do I prefer to do several things at once (ex: read while
standing/walking, hear/see information)?


Resources
 The Four Modalities: www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Union/2106/4mod.html

 Miller, S,. (2000). Learning Styles Survey ©.

 Collin, R., (1987). Learning Styles.

 Four Learning Styles: www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/four-learning-styles.html

 Fleming, G., Learning Style Quiz Visual, Kinesthetic, and Auditory Styles

 Online Learning Styles Quiz:
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/lstyleqz.htm


Learning styles -DeMeo

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