Learning Styles “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” Romans 12:6a NLT

Multiple Talents = Multiple Ways to Learn There are many ways to learn We all learn in each of those ways We each have some stronger and some weaker learning styles Where our styles overlap, they intensify

Talents are Not Static These styles are not mutually exclusive We can practice a style to improve it We can weaken a style by ignoring it Note: These are artificial categories to help us see ways that personalities differ

Win-Win Situation Using Various Styles: Helps each student learn –Reinforces the lesson in different ways –Develops weaker styles Helps us prepare the lesson More fun!

Incorporating Styles You do this already! As we go through the presentation, notice that these common activities incorporate various styles. Object lessons Skits Crafts Memory Verses Songs Worksheets Lecture Discussions Board Game Concentration Puzzle Physical Games

Linguistic Written and Spoken Word Good At: Writing Verbal Expression Nuance of Meaning Enjoys: Words Reading Storytelling Writing Testimonials Handouts

Linguistic Prevent Problems: Write it down Have them recite Mean what you say (e.g. avoid sarcasm) Learns By: Reciting Hearing Reading Written instructions

Logical - Mathematical Good At: Problem-solving Math Reasoning Categorizing Enjoys: Patterns Numbers Relationships Charts, Timelines

Logical - Mathematical Learns By: Classifying Sorting Categorizing Identifying Relationships Prevent Problems: Acknowledge right or wrong answers Don’t overly discourage young students from “pigeon-holing” some concepts. They are probably not being narrow - but are mentally sorting.

Musical Good At: Musical memory Making and manipulating sound Enjoys: Sounds Rhythm Melody Singing

Musical Learns By: Associating patterns Musical background Relating sounds to ideas Alliteration Rhythm Prevent Problems: Channel sound-making to the benefit of the lesson Have them create tunes Allow some variations to the “norm”

Visual / Spatial Good At: Mapping Charting Sculpting Modeling Enjoys: Drawing Building Designing Visualizing

Visual / Spatial Learns By: Imagining/ Visualizing Manipulating color and images Memorizing layouts Identifying an image Prevent Problems: Visual Aids Use color to differentiate (be consistent!) Use 3D Objects Don’t rely totally on words

Tactile / Kinesthetic Good At: Hand-eye coordination Movement Physical Expression Sports Enjoys: Moving Handling Touching

Tactile / Kinesthetic Learns By: Physical Movement Handling objects Re-enacting Texture Prevent Problems: Channel movement to your goal Provide texture or objects to touch Impromptu skits Don’t require them to sit still all through class

Extra-personal Social Learning Good At: Empathizing Charismatic Leading Communicating Negotiating Enjoys: Interacting Talking Teams Imagining Another’s Feelings

Learns by: Sharing Cooperating Observing Others / Imitation Empathizing with Characters Prevent Problems: Establish rules regarding interaction Mentor leadership skills Be a good example “Share & Tell” Don’t discipline the whole class for the sake a one or two students Extra-personal Social Learning

Interpersonal Individual Learning Good At: Self-analysis Introspection Application Feelings Enjoys: Working alone Quietness Independent work Meditations and Devotions

Prevent Problems: Channel the social learners Monitor Noise Give choices between group and individual work Give them time to process information Learns By: Individual projects Homework Personal space Self-paced work Interpersonal Individual Learning

Incorporating Styles You don’t have to do an activity for each style, or cover each style every week. One activity can serve multiples styles. Break up review questions into learning styles.