Shopping for a Learning Style Science Foundations Ms. Johnson

Finding the Perfect Fit When you shop for shoes, you tend to try them on first to make sure they fit they way you want them to. Shopping for a learning style works the same way. – You will feel most comfortable studying for tests when you find the way of learning that conforms to the way your mind works.

Understanding Ways to Take In Information The first way to customize the way you learn, is to identify how you take in information – 3 primary types of learning styles: Visual: when you absorb most information from seeing it Auditory: recall information that you hear – These students usually come up with some sort of poem or song to help recall information Kinesthetic: use their bodies to act out information – Remember best what they do

Customizing Your Study Technique

Auditory Learners Auditory learners need to hear material to remember it – you tend to remember sing lyrics very well and easy – In school you may be the student who has to hear the information presented aloud in class to have it stick in your mind Discussion-based classes may help you remember material the most

Auditory Learners cont. Study techniques for auditory learners: – Make up songs to remember material – Talk through information, or engage in discussion about the material – Listen to books on tape – Repeat the information aloud for as many times as it takes you to remember it – Use language to explain complicated graphs or diagrams – Record classes (if your teacher lets you) and play them back while studying

Auditory Example Hannah Montana Bone Song

Visual Learners If you are a visual learner, you recall what you see – You tend to learn well when the teacher writes on the board, and when you take notes – Writing out the material is beneficial to you Semantic Maps – Color may also help you remember information Different colored flash cards to recall information

Semantic Maps Semantic maps make visual connects between different parts of the material – In this example, the different types of sedimentary rocks are shown This tool helps reinforce what you already know You can draw these while studying to see if you understand the connections properly

Visual Learners cont. Techniques that help visual learners: – Use programs to map out material (inspiration.com is a helpful site) – Make semantic maps to draw relationships between parts of the material you know – Integrate color into your studying – Use different colored highlighters when annotating or taking notes on your reading – Use charts and flash cards – Take notes during class, and use them to study

Visual Learning Example

Kinesthetic Learners If you are a kinesthetic learner, you learn by doing – You need your hands or body to act out information and put things together – You enjoy building things and doing sports You may sometimes find it difficult to sit still in class, as in high school the opportunity for crafts and projects is less likely.

Kinesthetic Learners cont. Different study techniques to practice at home: – Act out the information – Make art work or a physical object related to the material (such as a model of a volcano) – Walk around while studying – Post information on your walls and shoot a ball in a basket while reciting it aloud – Use flash cards that you can shuffle and arrange around your room

Kinesthetic Example

Overview of Learning Styles Learning Styles