How Do People Learn?

As a peer mentor, you coach other students in being successful in school. In order to really reach your mentees, it is important to know not only how others learn, but how you do. Answer the following questions to find your preferred style of learning. There are no “right” answers. Keep track of your answers as we go.

When you are about to cook a meal for the first time, do you: V – Look through cookbooks for recipes with pictures? A – Call Grandma or Mom and ask advice? K – Remember what you saw on the cooking show last night and just dive in? What do you remember about the movies you’ve seen? V – The setting, scenery and costumes. A – The music, sound effects and what the characters said. K – The feelings the movie made you feel.

In terms of conversations and talking, do you: A – Enjoy listening to other people; ask a lot of questions? K – Gesture and use expressive movements – talk with your hands? V – Talk only when you need to, but dislike listening too long? In your spare time, would you rather: K – Play a sport or do something physical? V – Watch TV, go to the movies, go to a play? A – Listen to music, the radio, or read?

Which statement below best describes your memory? V – I forget names, but remember faces. A – I forget faces, but remember names. K – I forget faces and names, but remember what I did. If you have something important to discuss with someone, do you: V – Prefer face-to-face conversations and meetings? A – Prefer to use the telephone? K – Talk it out with the person while engaging in another activity, like walking?

When you are trying to concentrate, do you: A – Become distracted by sounds and noises? K – Become distracted by people and activity around you? V – Become distracted by untidiness or movement? If you are at a meeting or group discussion, do you: V – Take notes to remember what is being said? A – Enjoy discussing issues and are always thinking of good things to say? K – Wish you were somewhere else; spend your time doodling?

Can you tell someone’s mood by: V – Looking at their facial expressions? K – Watching their body movements? A – Listening to the tone in their voice? When you go shopping in the supermarket, do you usually: V – Bring a list and follow it closely? K – Walk up and down the aisles with reckless abandon? A – Repeat the list you memorized until you have everything you can remember?

When you are giving directions to your house for a party, do you: A – Verbally tell someone over the phone? V – Draw a map (visualizing the route in your head)? K – Offer to pick the person up; or, give directions based on landmarks? If you are putting something together (like a bike) first, do you: V – Follow the directions and look at the pictures? A – Ask other people questions about the project, or ask someone how to do it? K – Dive right in and start putting things together, ignoring the directions?

When you are learning, which do you like best? V – Seeing demonstrations, diagrams, videos and posters? A – Listening to verbal instructions or lectures? K – Role play and acting out new skills? SCORING: Your total number of “V” (visual) responses: _____ Your total number of “A” (auditory) responses: _____ Your total number of “K” (kinesthetic) responses: _____ The highest number of responses reveal your dominant learning style. Are you a V, A, or K?

Associate pictures with concepts being learned. Drawn to the pictures in materials or books. Think in visual images instead of words. Take notes – always writing – may ask others to slow down in order to keep up Likes graphs, tables and charts Use highlighters and brightly-colored Post-it Notes Likes to make flash cards

Listen to the presentation and refer to the handouts Respond well to storytelling – case scenarios and personal stories to illustrate key points being made Prefer face-to-face communication – small group discussions and debates Are easily distracted when there is a lot of noise or other conversations occurring in the room May not take notes Use mnemonics to memorize. For example, Roy G. Biv is a mnemonic for the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Are hands-on learners Need to be active in the learning Like games, role plays, lab work; tend to be the most animated students in role play exercises Do not enjoy lectures; tend to tap on table, squirm in their seats, and are easily distracted by movement Need to move around Doodle in class Skip reading instructions when trying to assemble something new

All people have capacity to learn and understand using any of the three styles, but most people are most comfortable with just one style—their dominant learning style. It is important to keep in mind that the best way you learn is not always the best way your mentee is going to learn. Differences in learning styles may be a point of frustration, aggravation, or just plain miscommunication. Keeping this in mind will definitely help you improve your communication and teaching skills.

Let’s take a poll - click A – Visual Learner B – Auditory Learner C – Kinesthetic Learner How will knowing your learning style help you relate to your mentees? Does it matter what your mentee’s learning styles are? How will this change your interaction with them?