LEARNING STYLES
Knowing how you learn can make all the difference.
Learning Styles—an Overview
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Visual – 40% of population.
Auditory – 30% of population.
Kinesthetic – 30% of
population.
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NOTE: 100% of population uses a
combination of all three styles listed above.
Most often one type is dominant.
Why it is important to understand your learning style?
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Better major selection.
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You want to choose a major that caters to your dominant learning style.
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If you are a kinesthetic learner, a Construction Management major is a good fit.
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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.
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If you are undecided about your major, knowing your learning style can help you avoid courses in
which you know you will struggle.
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Lecture course versus a Lab course?
Strategize ways to do better in your courses.
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Once you identify your learning preference, you can focus better on required program courses that
you know are going to be difficult.
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Your choice of study group partners or tutoring formats can be informed by your learning style
preference.
Visual Learners
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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.
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Auditory Learners
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Auditory Learners typically…
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Remember what they hear in a lecture or
presentation. Or even during a conversation.
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Talk while they write.
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Are sophisticated speakers.
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Remember by listening, and therefore get the
most out of lectures.
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Assign little meaning to concepts or
information until that information is presented
in an audible format.
Kinesthetic Learners
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Kinesthetic Learners
typically…
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Want to move all the time…they
want to be busy!
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Are well coordinated.
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Are “doers”, not big “talkers”.
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Like to take things apart, put them
back together to learn how things
work.
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Need concrete experiences to act
as learning aides.
Break it down…
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So how do you know which is your dominant learning style?
Take a learning style assessment.
 Usually available from your adviser.
 Sometimes UN 100 textbooks contain them.
 ACAC can provide them.
 Some available online for FREE.
Analyze the results…what do they mean?
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Discuss them with your academic adviser.
What are the strengths of your learning style?
What are the challenges?
What are some strategies you can use to be more successful – particularly in your
current classes?
Refer to the following slides for applied techniques for each learning style.
Applied techniques
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Visual Learners:
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Auditory Learners:
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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.
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).
Kinesthetic Learners:
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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.
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Northern Michigan University’s Academic &
Career Advisement Center. It may not be
reproduced without written consent.
www.nmu.edu/acac