Three Basic Learning Modalities
Sensory Preferences and
Learning Style
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Learning Style
We take in and begin to
Sensory Modalities
process information through
our senses.
 Auditory
 Our preferences in the way we
 Visual
take in information influences
 Kinesthetic/Tactile
our ability to learn in different
environments.
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Auditory Learner
 enjoys oral discussion
 studies by talking aloud
 requires oral explanations
 has trouble with written direction
 reinforces a task by talking
him/herself through it
More Auditory Traits from USD*
 sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front
 may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing
what they are wearing and why
 hum or talk to themselves or others when bored
 acquire knowledge by reading aloud
 remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they may have
difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like
mathematics).
*source online: University of South Dakota – www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
Visual Learner
 remembers visual details
 follows along when others read
 prefers to see what’s to be
learned
 needs written instruction
 has trouble following lectures
More Visual Traits from USD*
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take numerous detailed notes
tend to sit in the front
are usually neat and clean
often close their eyes to visualize or remember something
find something to watch if they are bored
like to see what they are learning
benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color
are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery
prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction
find passive surroundings ideal
*source online: University of South Dakota – www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
Kinesthetic Learner
 has to do it to know it
 prefers activity-based
learning
 studies by writing over
and over
 may be restless in class
More Kinesthetic Traits from USD*
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need to be active and take frequent breaks
speak with their hands and with gestures
remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen
find reasons to tinker or move when bored
rely on what they can directly experience or perform
activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive
and learn
enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials
sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move
around
are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on
experience
communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement,
such as a pat on the back
*source online: University of South Dakota – www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
The Wagner Preference Inventory
 Brain hemisphere dominance is reported to effect
learning style.
 People that are:
 left brain-dominant are primarily auditory learners
 right brain-dominant are primarily visual learners.
 The Wagner Preference Inventory was used to
determine brain hemisphere dominance.
Two Sides to the Brain
Brain Orientation - Thinking Preference & Learning
Style
Activity #2
Analytic Learner
Left Brain Characteristics
Global Learner
Right Brain Characteristics
 looking at details
 seeing the “big” picture
 focusing on one thing
 cooperating in groups
 giving direct answers
 giving and receiving praise
 organization
 reading body language
 individual competition
 going with the flow
 establishing routines
 doing several things at once
 working through ideas
 focusing on ideas/themes
 following schedules
 listening sincerely to others
 reading between the lines
Left Brain
Cognitive Processing
 Linear - Processing information from part to whole; in a straight forward
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logical progression.
Sequential - Processing information in order from first to last.
Symbolic - Processes symbols; likes to use letters, words and mathematical
symbols.
Logical - Processes information piece by piece using logic to solve a
problem.
Verbal - Processes thoughts and ideas with words.
Reality-Based - Processes information based on reality; focuses on rules
and regulations
Right Brain
Cognitive Processing
 Holistic - Processing information from whole to part; sees the big picture
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first, not the details.
Random - Processing information with out priority, jumps form one task to
another.
Concrete - Processes things that can be seen, or touched - real objects.
Intuitive - Processes information based on whether or not it feels right
know answer but not sure how it was derived.
Nonverbal - Processes thought as illustrations.
Fantasy-Oriented - Processes information with creativity; less focuses on
rules and regulations
You Almost Always
Left Brain (Analytic)Traits
 do things the same way
 like a neat environment
 are self-motivated
 value facts over feelings
 ask “how do I do it?”
Right Brain (Global)Traits
 visualize the future
 think fast on your feet
 have good rapport with
others
 see many solutions
 accept many types of
people
 try to avoid conflict
These Frustrate You
Left Brain Traits
 not knowing the purpose
 not understanding how a teacher
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grades
dealing with generalities
having an opinion expressed as fact
having to find personal meaning in
what you learn
working in groups
questions with no right answer
Right Brain Traits
 having to explain things step by step
 not getting a chance to explain
 accept criticism without taking it
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personally
people who are insensitive
not knowing the meaning for doing
something
keeping detailed records
re-doing anything once it is done
having to chose one answer
Questions You Ask:
Left Brain Traits
Right Brain Traits
 What facts do I need to
 What does this have to do
know?
 What should it look like?
 When is it due?
with me?
 How can I make a
difference?
 How much of this is really
necessary?
The Potential of Your Brain
 Trillions & trillions of
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 Three basic learning
modalities
brain cells
100 billion neurons in  Eight intelligences
“thinking brain”
20,000 possible
connections between
neurons
Three brains in one
Two sides to the brain
Eight Intelligences
Multiple Intelligences &
Learning Style
“It’s not about how smart you are, but how
you are smart!”
Activity #3
Gardner’s Intelligence
 “. . . an ability to solve
problems or fashion
products that are useful in
a particular cultural
setting or community.”
image source: http://www.essentialschools.org/
images/ff_pics/ff2000/speakers/howard.jpg
Multiple Intelligence Theory
-The Seven Eight Intelligences
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Howard Gardner
Verbal/Linguistic
Logical/Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Bodily/Kinesthetic
Musical/Rhythmic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalist
+Existential
Interest may = Aptitude, Strength
& Preference
vs
Disinterest may = Ineptitude,
Weakness & Prejudice
Verbal – Linguistic
Word/Book Smart
Strength
 reading, writing, telling
stories, memorizing dates,
thinking in words
Best Learning Style
 reading, hearing and seeing
words speaking, writing,
discussing, and debating
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Logical – Mathematical
Number/Logic Smart
Strength
 math, reasoning, logic, problem
solving, patterns
Best Learning Style
 working with patterns and
relationships, classifying,
categorizing, working with the
abstract
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Visual – Spatial
Art/Picture Smart
Strength
 reading, maps, charts,
drawing, mazes, puzzles,
imaging things, visualization
Best Learning Style
 working with pictures and
colors, visualizing, using the
"mind’s eye", drawing
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Bodily – Kinesthetic
Body/Movement Smart
Strength
 athletics, dancing, acting,
crafts, using tools
Best Learning Style
 touching, moving, processing
knowledge though body
sensations
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Musical – Rhythmic
Music/Sound Smart
Strength
 singing, picking up sounds,
remembering melodies,
rhythms
Best Learning Style
 rhythm, melody, singing,
listening to music and
melodies
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Interpersonal
People/Group Smart
Strength
 understanding people,
leading, organizing,
communicating, resolving
conflicts, selling
Best Learning Style
 sharing, comparing, relating,
interviewing, cooperating
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Intrapersonal
Self/Introspection Smart
Strength
 understanding self,
recognizing strengths and
weaknesses, setting goals
Best Learning Style
 working alone, doing selfpaced projects, having space,
reflecting
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Naturalist
Nature/Environment Smart
Strength
 categorizing, organizing a
living area, planning a trip,
preservation, and
conservation
Best Learning Style
 sharing, comparing, relating,
cooperating and interviewing
image source: www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
Self-Evaluation
What kind of student are you?
What kind of student do you want to be?
Activity #5