Different
Learning Styles
Knowing how you learn will make all the
difference in your learning experience
.
Learning Styles—an Overview
Visual – 40% of population.
Auditory – 30% of population.
Kinesthetic – 30% of
population.
NOTE: 100% of population uses a
combination of all three styles listed
above. Most often one type is dominant.
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
Visual Learners learn by sight
Auditory Learners learn by hearing
Tactile Learners (kinesthetic) learn by touch
Why it is important to know and understand your
learning style?
Better major selection.
You want to choose a major that caters to your dominant learning style.
If you are a kinesthetic learner, a engineering major is a good fit.
On the other hand, if you are an auditory learner you will want to purse a major that
contains a majority of lecture courses.
Better strategy in choosing courses that are aligned with how you learn.
If you are undecided about your major, knowing your learning style can help you avoid
courses in which you know you will struggle.
Lecture course versus a Lab course?
Strategize ways to do better in your courses.
Once you identify your learning style you can focus better on required program courses
that you know are going to be difficult.
Your choice of study group partners or tutoring formats can be informed by your learning
style.
Visual Learners
Visual Learners typically…
Remember what was read or seen in a
presentation.
Don't retain what they hear over a long period
of time.
Think in pictures, use “scenes” to describe.
Have vivid imaginations.
Associate color with information.
Remember faces, but not names.
Like written reports better than verbal ones.
Visual Learners
Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams,
cartoons, demonstrations
Picture words and concepts they hear as images
Easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids
Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture
Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when
studying
Auditory Learners
Auditory Learners typically…
Remember what they hear in a lecture or
presentation. Or even during a
conversation.
Talk while they write.
Are sophisticated speakers.
Remember by listening, and therefore get
the most out of lectures.
Assign little
meaning to concepts or
information until that information is
presented in an audible format.
Auditory Learners
Prefer to hear information spoken
Can absorb a lecture with little effort
May not need careful notes to learn.
Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate
May read aloud to themselves
Like background music when they study
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic Learners typically…
Want to move all the time…they
want to be busy!
Are well coordinated.
Are “doers”, not big “talkers”.
Like to take things apart, put
them back together to learn how
things work.
Need concrete experiences to
act as learning aides.
Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners
Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in
information
In traditional lecture situations, they should write out
important facts
Create study sheets connected to vivid examples
Role-playing can help them learn and
remember important ideas
May benefit by using manipulatives
Okay, I
get it
now.
Applied techniques
Visual Learners:
Write out everything for frequent and quick visual review.
Use color coding when learning new concepts and words.
Use outlines of reading assignments which cover key points
and guide reading.
Use notes and flash cards for review of material,
vocabulary, and terminology for specific course s.
Review textbook during relevant lecture component.
Auditory Learners:
The student should position themselves in the classroom
or lecture hall so that he/she can hear lectures and review
them frequently.
Read written material aloud (restate in your own words) .
Verbally review spelling words and lectures with another
person - practice verbal repetition .
Record lectures (with instructor permission).
Applied techniques
Kinesthetic Learners:
Study in short blocks of time rather than
extended periods .
Have as many experimental learning
opportunities as possible, such as lab
and studio courses, as opposed to
straight lecture classes - if you have a
choice job shadowing, internships, etc.
Use this info when selecting courses.
Use flash cards.
Your Intelligence Profile created by
Howard Gardner
A theory of “multiple intelligences,” suggesting
abilities seem to cluster in eight different areas:
Verbal-Linguistic Skills
Logical-Mathematical Skills
Bodily-Kinesthetic Skills
Visual-Spatial Skills
Interpersonal Abilities
Intrapersonal Abilities
Musical Abilities
Naturalistic Abilities
Extraversion/Introversion
(Social Orientation)
Extroverts
Like talking with others and taking action.
Prefer active learning and group projects.
Introverts
Prefer to have others do the talking.
Prefer lectures and structured tasks.
Thinking/Feeling
(Decision Making)
Thinkers
Like
to take an objective approach and
emphasize logic and analysis in their
decisions.
Prefer
objective feedback, and thrive
when there is pressure to succeed.
Feelers
Prefer
Give
emotion to logic.
greater weight to the impact of
relationships in their decisions.
Prefer positive feedback and individual
recognition.
Judging/Perceiving
(Achieving Goals)
My mind is
made up!
Don’t confuse
me with facts.
Judgers
Prefer
clearly defined strategies to
achieve goals.
May jump to closure too quickly.
Prefer orderliness, structure, and
deadlines.
Perceivers
Like
Let’s think this through
to consider all sides to a problem
and may be at some risk for not
completing their work.
Prefer spontaneity and flexibility.
Discovering Your
Own Learning Style
Take a Learning Styles test.
Think about your favorite classes so far. What do they have
in common? Did you like…
mastering facts?
discussion? or working on your own?
lecture? or pairing or grouping?
hands-on activities?
How do you think you learn?
Build Strengths across the
Learning Styles
Make the best use of your learning style.
Work harder in skills that don’t come easily to
you.
Be flexible and adaptable, try new things and new
ways.
Keep growing! Don’t be easily satisfied!
Build Strengths across the
Learning Styles
Make the best use of your learning style.
Work harder in skills that don’t come easily to
you.
Be flexible and adaptable, try new things and new
ways.
Keep growing! Don’t be easily satisfied!
Remember!
No matter what your Learning Style is it’s very
important to
Be involved in class – participate!
Link classroom experience to the outside world
Relate class concepts to your own life.
Ask questions and offer criticism.
Stimulate further relevant discussion.
Don’t get distracted – stay “on-task”
Keep an open mind: there are many ideas beyond
your own.
This PowerPoint presentation is the property of Northern Michigan
University’s Academic & Career Advisement Center. It may not be
reproduced without written consent.
www.nmu.edu/acac
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