Learning Styles
What is a Learning Style?
 Learning styles focus on how your brain receives information. No
one else learns or processes information exactly the way you do! If
you discover how you process information, you can learn things more
efficiently and in less time. Who wouldn't want to cut their study
time in half and still learn as much?
 When learning something new or difficult, you naturally tend to use
the learning style you prefer. It is good to know what this learning
style is so that you can respond most effectively to the material
being presented. Even when the material is not being presented in
the way you prefer (which happens often in a college setting) you
can use this knowledge of learning styles to adjust and be flexible,
no matter who your instructor is or what the topic might be.
 Everyone has one learning style that is dominant. A key word is
that our dominance is a preference, not an absolute. When learning
is new, difficult, or stressful, we prefer to learn in a certain way.
Types of Learning Styles
 1 - Visual
 2 - Auditory
 3 - Tactile/Kinesthetic
Visual
Visual Learners learn through seeing
Characteristics of a Visual Learner:







Reader/observer
Scans everything; wants to see things, enjoys visual stimulation
Enjoys maps, pictures, diagrams, and color
Needs to see the teacher’s body language/facial expression to
fully understand
Not pleased with lectures
Daydreams; a word, sound or smell causes recall and mental
wandering
 Usually takes detailed notes
 May think in pictures and learn best from visual displays
Auditory
 Auditory Learners learn through listening and talking






things through……..
Characteristics of an Auditory Learner:
Interpret the underlying meanings of speech through
listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances
Prefers directions given orally
Seldom takes notes or writes things down
Prefers lectures to reading assignments
Often repeats what has just been said; talks to self
Tactile/Kinesthetic
 Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners learn through moving, doing and touching……..
 Characteristics of a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner:
 The “Do-er”
 Needs to touch, handle, manipulate materials and objects, especially while







studying or listening
Counts on fingers and talks with hands
Good at drawing designs
Often doodles while listening, thus processing information
Good at sports, mechanics, using appliances and tools
Often adventurous
May find it hard to sit still for long periods
May become distracted by their need for activity and exploration
Finally
 Remember that we’re all different – you don’t have to
fit one mould
 If you’re not learning well, or bored by learning, try out
new strategies that suit you better
 The more types of learning activity you engage in, the
more you’re likely to cover your preferred styles
Learning styles
 Prepared by : Hajed M. Al-Hajed
 Supervised : Dr. Sir Al-khatim