Learning Styles - Linda dunham

Today I am going to talk to you about Learning Styles, in particular: the visual, auditory and kinesthetic styles of learning. I will start with a brief definition of learning styles, followed by a few characteristics of each of the styles. I will also provide examples of how students can enhance their learning styles. What are learning styles? Learning styles refer to the ways we perceive and process new information. Learning styles reflect an individuals’ characteristic and preferred ways of gathering, interpreting, organizing, and thinking about information. Learning Styles featured in the Online Student Profile are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. The visual learning style is characterized by a preference for learning through reading, watching, observing and using images and graphics. Visual learners prefer to learn by watching how something is done, observing a demonstration, reading material or instructions, or reading course content prior to the lecture. Visual learners need to see it to know it. What are ways that a visual learner would prefer to obtain directions for traveling to a new location? Reading a map, watching a GPS screen, following written instructions, or all of the above? if you chose all of the above, you are correct. Auditory Learning The auditory learning style is characterized by a preference for listening over reading. Reciting material, listening to instructions or to a lecture, and participating in discussion are helpful for auditory learners. Auditory learners refer to learn by listening to a class lecture, reciting information or key terms from notes, participating in group discussions, proofreading assignments out loud, or even explaining our teaching something out loud. Which test preparation strategies might work best for an auditory learner? Participating in a study group, resetting notes aloud, explaining course concepts to study partners, or all of the above? If you answered all of the above, you're correct. The kinesthetic learning style is characterized by a preference for “hands on” learning. Kinesthetic learners learn best when they interact with what they are studying. When kinesthetic learners are physically involved, they understand and remember. Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn best by doing, drawing, writing or making models, by assembling parts without reading, by learning with physical activity, and by actively experimenting. Which study strategies might work well for kinesthetic learners? Creating flash cards, producing a group video with classmates, participating in a class game show, building a model of a cell for biology class, or all of the above? If you chose all of the above, you're correct. So, which style is best? No one style of learning has been shown to be better than the other styles. and no single style leads to better learning. Students may want to use study methods comparable to their learning style preference. Making learning styles work for you Be aware of when each learning style is being utilized, notice what actions you take to acquire new information and skills, different learning styles may be used in different classroom settings, and try a combination of learning styles.