Learning styles

What is your students learning style Everybody has a preferred learning style. Knowing and understanding our learning style helps us to learn more easily. So before conducting,remedial or diagnostic teaching,it is essential for us to know what type of learner our student is ?

Quick quiz When you are not sure how to spell a word, what are you most likely to do ? a. write it down to see if it looks right b. spell it out loud to see if it sounds right c. Trace the letters in the air ( finger spelling)

When you are trying to study, what do you find to be most distracting ? a. People walking past you. b. loud noises c. an uncomfortable chair

When you see the word C-A-T what do you do first ? a. Picture a cat in your mind b. say the word “cat” to yourself c. think about being with a cat (petting it or hearing it purr)

You have just gone into a big store for the first time. How do you find ? a. look for a map or directory that shows where everything is. b. ask someone who works there for direction c. just start walking around until you find what you are looking for.

What kind of book would you like to read for fun ? a. A book on national parks that has lot of pictures in it. b. A novel with lots of detailed descriptions c. A book with word searches or crossword puzzles

You’re out shopping and you’re waiting in line to pay for some new clothes you just picked out, what are you most likely to do while you. a.Look around at other clothes on the racks b.Talk to the person next to you in line c.Fiddle around your money or sway back and forth

What’s the best way for you to learn about how something works a.Watch a movie of demonstration about it b.Read about it or listen to someone explain c.Figure it out on your by taking it apart

What is the best way for you to study for the test? a.Read the books or your notes and review pictures and charts. b.Have someone ask you questions that you answer out loud. c.Make up index card that you can review.

When you are angry about sth, what are you most likely to do? a.Put on ‘mad’ face b.Yell and scream c.Slam doors

You have just gone into a big store for the first time. How do you find a. Look for a map or directory that shows where sth is. b. Ask someone who works there for direction c. Just start walking around until you find what you are looking for

What do you like to do to relax ? a.Read b.Listen to music c.Go for a walk or run

When you meet new people, what are you most likely to remember a.Their face but not their name b.Their name but not their face c.What you talked about with them

When you are trying to study, what do you find to be the most distracting? a.People walking past you b.Loud noises c.An uncomfortable chair

Selecting all “A” means the student is Visual learner, Selecting “B” indicates him as auditory and “C” indicates that he or she is Tactile learner.

On the basis of such questions it becomes clear whether a student is Visual learner, an auditory learner or a tactile learner and he or she should be given remedy accordingly.

In general students are identified,as bright or low achiever,exclusively on the basis of marks they obtain in unit tests, which is totally unjustified.

Such diagnosis should be done through a combination of academic achievement testing, classroom performance, and social interaction. The resulting information should be used to determine,whether a child’s academic performance is appropriate with his or her cognitive ability

So why some students do better in some subjects than others ? It sometimes depends on the subject matter, sometimes on the presentation style, but most of the time it is the individual learning style that matters, as not everyone learns in the same way.

How to tackle different type of learners ? ? ?

Auditory learners are generally bright students they learn by traditional chalk and talk method So not much is to be done for such students, as they learn by hearing and listening. prefer listening over reading and writing.

Flexible sitting plan It is advised to let them sit in the classroom, where they can hear clearly, let them read things aloud and remember, they need to hear things not just see things to learn.

Visual learners are mediocre ones it is advised to teach them by drawing pictures to explain new concepts, color code technique should also be used. Avoid noisy distractions during study times,

as they are not auditory learners. Let them sit in front row of the classroom, so that they can see the things clearly. Use flashcards to teach them new words, instruct them to jot down keywords,and ideas as they need to see things not just hear things to learn.

Tactile learners are normally those who are tagged as slow learners. They learn by touching and doing, they are hands-on learner who prefers to move,bulid, or draw what they learn.

They may have difficulty sitting still. It is advised to call such students, to solve the problems on blackboard, involve them in projects, acting out stories make flexible sitting arrangement for them Remember they need to touch,bulid,move, or draw things not just hear or see things to learn.

Every child has a different learning style and pace and that each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding. So it is our duty to adopt that unique way of teaching according to the unique learning style of student.

General Misconception Learning styles are presented in form of polarities But in reality most people have combination and don’t fall in one category.

How to integrate MI or Learning style and teaching

LS – Mathematical/logical/linguistic Read out words Tell the ss to group according to countable/uncountable Milk, meat, fruit, honey, orange, carrot, egg, bread Check the answer and discuss

LS – Visual, Kinesthetic Make two sets of cards on one set write some adverbs, angrily, happily, slowly, carefully On the other set write some actions Eating a sandwich, walking, playing Ask one student to come and pick an adverb card and an action card. Now mime the action “walking slowly” Let other students guess.