LEARNING STYLES! The three types:

The learning styles:  There are three basic types of learning styles.  The three most common are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.  To learn, we depend on our senses to process the information around us.  Most people tend to use one of their senses more than the others.  Today's lesson will help you determine which of these learning styles you rely on the most.

Visual Learners:  Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading.  For them, it’s easy to look at charts and graphs,  but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation.

Examples of Visual:  take numerous detailed notes  tend to sit in the front  are usually neat and clean  often close their eyes to visualize or remember something  find something to watch if they are bored  like to see what they are learning  benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color  are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery  prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction  find passive surroundings ideal

Auditory Leaners:  Auditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read about them.  Reciting information out loud and having music in the background may be a common study method.  Other noises may become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place.

Examples of Auditory Learners:  sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front  may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why  hum or talk to themselves or others when bored  acquire knowledge by reading aloud  remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves  (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).

Kinesthetic Learners:  Kinesthetic learners process information best through a “hands-on” experience.  Actually doing an activity can be the easiest way for them to learn.  Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand.

Examples of Kinesthetic Leaners:  need to be active and take frequent breaks  speak with their hands and with gestures  remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen  find reasons to tinker or move when bored  rely on what they can directly experience or perform  activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn  enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials  sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around  are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience  communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back

Understanding the Learning Styles:

How the Environment Plays a Factor:  Formal vs. Informal  Noise vs. Quiet  Temperature  Bright vs. Dim  Mobility  Kinesthetic

Formal vs. Informal:  A formal setting would be the traditional desk and chair or possibly a table.  An informal setting would be the floor, a couch, a beanbag, etc.  Every student's brain will not function the same in the same postural position.  So when you see a someone slouching in a traditional desk or chair, it may simply mean that they would learn better in more of a informal setting.

Noise vs. Quiet:  Some students find sound distracting and some find it calming.  It may be beneficial to have several study areas established.  One where the noise level is kept to a minimum and one where some background noise is present.

Temperature:  Room temperature also plays a key role in learning.  If a student is too cold or too hot, they will have more of a hard time concentrating on what their learning task is.  It is recommended that the classroom temperature be cool if possible.  This way those who do not like being cold can simply wear another layer of clothing and be comfortable.

Bright vs. Dim  Everybody's eyes react differently to light.  Some students may need to sit by a bright reading lamp while others may get a headache when too much light is present.

Mobility:  The human body is built to move and it does particularly like to sit still for long periods of time.  Have students to stand, stretch, and take short breaks as needed during studying.  It is good to study in minute increments with a brief break between each block of time.  Research has shown that it only takes 30 seconds to rest and recharge the brain.

Kinesthetic:  Some people need to have continuous movement as they are studying,  such as tapping there fingers or foot on the floor, fooling with their hair, using a stress ball, or chewing gum.  This is absolutely natural but if they are not alone studying, make sure they do not distract others

Take the Quiz  The results of this quiz should be able to tell what type of learner you are.

The Results:  Look at the numbers –  more A's means Visual more B's means Auditory more C's means Kinesthetic