Identifying Your Learning Style

Identifying Your Learning Style There are many different ways of learning. The way of learning that is most helpful to you may not be as helpful to the student sitting next to you. Identifying your own learning style is a strategy that will help me understand the ways in which you learn best and remember the most information. Knowing your learning style and using strategies geared towards that style, will help you be more successful in class. Write down #’s 1-20 on the back of your student survey Answer the following questions to help you identify your main learning style. Write the letter of the choice that best describes you next to the appropriate number.

1.) I remember lessons best when my teacher A.) demonstrates the lesson B.) discusses the lesson with the class C.) creates a game or activity I can do

2.) I would rather A.) watch a demonstration B.) have someone explain to me how something works C.) perform an experiment

3.) When I read, I like to A.) read to myself B.) read aloud or have someone read to me C.) follow the text with my finger

4.) When my teacher gives a talk, I understand the information better when I A.) picture in my mind what my teacher is talking about B.) focus on listening to my teacher C.) take notes on what my teacher is saying

5.) If I am angry, I tend to A.) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me B.) raise my voice and tell people how I feel C.) stomp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

6.) When learning a new game, I prefer A.) reading the instructions to myself B.) having the instructions read aloud to me C.) trying out the game and figuring out how to play

7.) If I have to complain about poor service at a restaurant or a bad grade from a teacher, I am most comfortable A.) writing a letter or email B.) complaining over the phone C.) talking to the manager or teacher in person

8.) I can remember how to spell a new word if I A.) form a picture of the word in my mind B.) spell it aloud several times or say it over and over in my head C.) trace the word with my finger

9.) I would rather A.) watch a film about honey bees B.) listen to a speaker talk about honey bees C.) build a model of a bee hive or dissect a bee

10.) I can best show what I know by A.) making a display about a topic B.) telling someone about a topic C.) doing a presentation about a topic

11.) When I try to put something together I generally A.) read the instructions step by step B.) listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before or watch a tutorial online C.) try to figure it out as I go

12.) If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to A.) write instructions down for them B.) give them a verbal explanation C.) demonstrate first and then let them have a go at it

13.) During my free time I most enjoy A.) going to the movies or watching TV B.) listening to music and talking to my friends C.) playing sports or doing something active

14.) When I go shopping for clothes, the first thing I do when I see something I might like is to A.) hold them up and imagine what they would look like on B.) discuss it with friends or the shop staff C.) try them on and test them out

15.) If I was choosing a vacation destination I would A.) read lots of brochures or look at websites B.) listen to recommendations from friends or family C.) find somewhere with activities I want to do

16.) When choosing food off a menu, I tend to A.) look at the menu photos or imagine what the food will look like B.) talk through the options in my head or with a friend C.) imagine what the food will taste like and feel what I’m in the mood for

17.) When I listen to a band, I tend to A.) watch the band members and other people in the audience B.) listen to the lyrics and the beats C.) dance with the music

18.) My first memory is of A.) looking at something B.) being spoken to C.) doing something

19.) I first notice how people A.) look and dress B.) sound and speak C.) stand and move

20.) I find it easiest to remember A.) faces B.) names C.) thinks I have done with people

Add up the A’s, B’s and C’s you selected and write the numbers For example: I personally had 9 A’s, 5 B’s, and 6 C’s

If you had mostly A’s you are a Visual Learner Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seeing or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, movies, etc. These people will best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. These are often the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions. Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading. They may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation.

If you had mostly B’s you are an auditory learner Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: listening to themselves or others, and to music, sounds, and noises. These people will best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions. These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear! 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.

If you had mostly C’s you are a Tactile or Kinesthetic Learner Someone with a Kinesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, and doing practical hands-on experiences. These people will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who rarely look at the instructions first! Kinesthetic learners process information best through a “hands- on” experience. Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand.

If you had a tie you are a combination learner Although most people use a combination of the three learning styles, they usually have a clear preference for one. Someone with a true combination learning style learn well in a variety of ways. You fit the description of two or three of the other categories. Read the other descriptions and see if you agree.