This chart helps you determine your learning style; read the word in the left column and then answer the questions in the
successive three columns to see how you respond to each situation. Your answers may fall into all three columns, but one
column will likely contain the most answers. The dominant column indicates your primary learning style.
Adapted from Colin Rose(1987). Accelerated Learning.
When you..
Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic & Tactile
Spell
Do you try to see the word?
Do you sound out the word or use a
phonetic approach?
Do you write the word down to find if it
feels right?
Talk
Do you sparingly but dislike listening for Do you enjoy listening but are impatient Do you gesture and use expressive
too long? Do you favor words such as
to talk? Do you use words such as hear, movements? Do you use words such as
see, picture, and imagine?
tune, and think?
feel, touch, and hold?
Concentrate
Do you become distracted by untidiness Do you become distracted by sounds or Do you become distracted by activity
or movement?
noises?
around you?
Meet someone again
Do you forget names but remember
faces or remember where you met?
Do you forget faces but remember
names or remember what you talked
about?
Do you remember best what you did
together?
Contact people on
business
Do you prefer direct, face-to-face,
personal meetings?
Do you prefer the telephone?
Do you talk with them while walking or
participating in an activity?
Read
Do you like descriptive scenes or pause Do you enjoy dialog and conversation or Do you prefer action stories or are not a
to imagine the actions?
hear the characters talk?
keen reader?
Do something new at
work
Do you like to see demonstrations,
diagrams, slides, or posters?
Put something together
Do you look at the directions and the
picture?
Need help with a
computer application
Do you seek out pictures or diagrams?
Do you prefer verbal instructions or
talking about it with someone else?
Do you prefer to jump right in and try it?
Do you ignore the directions and figure it
out as you go along?
Do you call the help desk, ask a
neighbor, or growl at the computer?
Do you keep trying to do it or try it on
another computer?
LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR THE
VISUAL/VERBAL LEARNER:
(visual, and written format)
 Use color coding, when studying new information in text or notes
 Use highlighter to highlight different kinds of information in contrasting
colors
 Make flashcards- limiting information on each card
 Write out explanations for diagrams or illustrations
 Write out in detail how to do steps in mathematical or technical problem
solving
 Before an exam/test use post-it notes with key words and place in
highly visible spots, mirror, dashboard etc.
LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR THE VISUAL/NONVERBAL LEARNER:
(visual and picture or design format)
 Make flashcards with symbols and pictures, highlight the words and
pictures
 Write key words in the margins of your text
 Organize mathematical information in charts
 Create your tables/charts/graphics on the computer to help with
understanding
 As much as possible, translate words and ideas into symbols, pictures
and diagrams
LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR THE
TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNER
 Sit near front of class
 When studying, place with your text, notes, flashcards in hand and read
the information out loud
 Make learning as tangible as possible
 To learn a sequence of steps, make flashcards for each step, use
symbols or pictures, highlighter pens- anything to help you remember
 Make graphs, tables, and spreadsheets to organize your material
LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR THE
AUDITORY/VERBAL LEARNER
 Join a study group
 When studying talk out loud to aid in recall
 With instructor’s permission, tape-record lectures- use digital recorder to
make note of the counter number to make note of confusing material or
material you need to study further.
 With mathematical or technical information state the problem in students’
own words- reason through solutions by talking out loud to self or tutor.
Adapted from: Suzanne Miller, Instructor Diablo Valley College
HANDOUTS?
Email me: catharine.curtis@cpcc.edu and I
will email you the power point and you
can print any/all if the slides you wish.