LEARNING STYLES: How do you learn the best? Presented by: Annette Deaton Coordinator of Orientation Services

LEARNING STYLES Learning Style – One’s preferred manner of acquiring, using, and thinking about knowledge. These styles are not abilities, but types of learning. It represents the way we approach learning.

LEARNING STYLES Being aware of your personal learning style preferences can help you exploit your strengths as you prepare for classes and exams. It can also help you understand why you may be having difficulty with some courses and what can be done to improve.

LEARNING STYLES One of the most basic aspects of learning styles concerns the way in which we initially receive information from our sense organs.

TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES Auditory Learning Style A style that favors listening as the best approach to learning. A student with this learning style prefers listening to explanations rather than reading about them. They love class lectures and discussions, because it is easier for them to take in the information that is being talked about.

TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES Visual Learning Style A style that involves visualizing information in the mind’s eye, favoring reading and watching. A student with this type of style would prefer to read about a concept rather than have a teacher explain it.

TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES Tactile Learning Style A style that involves a “hands on” approach to learning. A student with this type of style learns better when they touch and become physically involved in what is being studied.

ORIGINS OF OUR LEARNING STYLES For many of us, our learning style preference results from the kind of processing our brain “specializes” in. Left Brain Processing – concentrates more on tasks requiring verbal competence, such as speaking, reading, thinking, and reasoning.

ORIGINS OF OUR LEARNING STYLES Right Brain Processing – tends to concentrate more on processing information in nonverbal domains, such as the understanding of spatial relationships, recognition of patterns and drawings, music and emotional expressions.

PERSONALITY STYLES Our learning styles are also influenced by our personality. According to the rationale of the Myers- Briggs Type Indicator, our personality type plays a key role in determining how we react to different kinds of situations.

PERSONALITY STYLES The idea is that we work best in situations in which others – both students and instructors - share our preferences and in which our personality preferences are most suited to the particular task on which we are working.

PERSONALITY STYLES According to the studies done on personality, four major dimensions are critical. Each of us fall somewhere in between each of the endpoints of each dimension.

PERSONALITY STYLES Four dimensions of personality styles: Extroversion / Introversion Sensing / Intuitive Thinking / Feeling Judging / Perceiving

PERSONALITY STYLES Extroversion / Introversion This scale describes two opposite preferences depending on whether you would rather focus your attention on the outer or inner world.

PERSONALITY STYLES Extroversion verses Introversion A key difference between extroverts and introverts is whether they enjoy working and being with others. Introverts tend to be more independent. They enjoy working alone and are less affected by how others think or behave.

PERSONALITY STYLES Extroverts are outgoing and more affected by how others think and behave. Extroverts enjoy working with others, and are energized by having other people around.

PERSONALITY STYLES Sensing / Intuitive This scale describes opposite ways you acquire information.

PERSONALITY STYLES Sensing verses Intuitive Sensors prefer a concrete, logical approach in which they can carefully analyze the facts of the situation. They are good with details but often times miss the “big picture”.

PERSONALITY STYLES Sensing / Intuitive Intuitive people enjoy solving problems and being creative. They get impatient with details, preferring to make leaps of judgment, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems.

PERSONALITY STYLES This scale describes how you make decisions, whether by analyzing and weighing feelings.

PERSONALITY STYLES Thinkers versus Feelers Thinkers prefer logic over emotion. They reach decisions and solve problems by systematically analyzing a situation. Feeling types rely more on their emotional responses. They are aware of others and their feelings, and are influenced by their personal values and attachment to others.

PERSONALITY STYLES Judging / Perceiving This scale describes the way you relate to the outer world, whether in a planned, orderly way or in a flexible, spontaneous way.

PERSONALITY STYLES Judging / Perceiving Judgers are quick and decisive. They like to set goals, accomplish them, and move to the next task.

PERSONALITY STYLES Perceivers attempt to gather as much information as they can before drawing a conclusion. Because they are open to multiple perspectives and appreciate all sides of an issue, perceivers have difficulty completing a task.

BENEFITS OF KNOWING YOUR LEARNING STYLE Knowing your learning style can help you make the most of the teaching styles of your instructors. Understanding the various teaching styles you may encounter will allow for you to make adjustments that maximize learning.

COMMON TEACHING STYLES Lecture – Instructor speaks to the class for the entire period, little or no class interaction. Group Discussion – Instructor presents material but encourages class discussion throughout.

COMMON TEACHING STYLES Small Groups – Instructor presents material and then breaks down into small groups for discussion or project work. Visual Focus – Instructor uses visual elements such as diagrams, photographs, drawings or transparencies.

COMMON TEACHING STYLES Verbal Focus – Instructor relies primarily on words, either spoken or written on the board or overhead. Logical Presentation – Instructor organizes material in a logical sequence, such as time or importance. Random Presentation – Instructor tackles topics in no particular order.

CAREER BENEFITS You will perform more successfully. If you know how you learn, you will be able to look for an environment that suits you best. You will be able to function well in teams. The more aware of your abilities, the better you will be able to identify what tasks you best able to perform in a team situation.

CAREER BENEFITS The more you can become aware of your personality traits as well as those of others, the more skillful you will be at communicating with and relating to co-workers.