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
