1. A key to your education success
Learning Styles
A key to your education success

2. What are Learning Styles?
Information enters your brain three main ways: (1) sight, (2) hearing and (3) touch.
The way a person prefers to learn is called his/her “Learning Style.
” There is no right or wrong, good or bad learning style.

3. Teaching and Learning Styles
• A person’s learning style has nothing to do with intelligence or skills.
• It has everything to do with the way a person’s brain works to learn and store information efficiently.
• Since everyone learns differently, understanding learning styles can help you become a better teacher/student.

4. Learning Styles
• By examining learning styles, you will become aware of how each person’s brain learns best.
• This awareness gives you and your students the chance to study effectively.
• It is important to be aware of information about learning styles as well as tips on how to teach students with learning styles different from yours.

5. What is Your Learning Style?
• In order for teachers to know how to work with students of diverse learning styles, you will first need to be aware of your own learning strengths.
• Get to know more about your particular learning preferences by taking a Learning Style Inventory quiz.

6. Your Style of Learning
• Everyone has a combination of ways in which they learn.
• Most people have a predominant learning style.
• You should use your “Learning Styles Inventory” quiz scores to start thinking about how you most effectively study and learn.
• You may also want to try to broaden your learning styles.
• Taking a multi-sensory approach will both help overall comprehension and your ability to retain information through many avenues of learning.

7. Three Types of Learning Styles
Visual Learners – learn by sight.
Auditory Learners – learn by hearing.
Tactile Learners (kinesthetic) – learn by touch and movement.

8. Characteristics of Visual Learners
• Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams, cartoons, and demonstrations.
• They picture words and concepts they hear as images.
• They are easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids.
• Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture.
• Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when studying.
Let me see it!

9. Visual Learners Suggestions for Studying
• Take lecture notes.
• Underline, highlight, or circle printed material.
• Borrow others’ notes, compare to own.
• Draw pictures in notes to illustrate concepts.
• Use a variety of colors – in pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, paper, etc. for different categories or concepts.
• Write it out!
• Draw out ideas.
• Work with many colors.
• Use outlines, pictures, graphs, charts, and diagrams.

10. Characteristics of Auditory Learners
• Prefer to hear information spoken.
• Can absorb a lecture with little effort.
• May not need careful notes to learn.
• Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate.
• May read aloud to themselves.
• Like listening background music when concentrating.
Let me hear it!

11. Auditory Learners Suggestions for Studying
• Study in groups and talk things out. • Work out problems aloud.
• Record lectures, teaching and study group sessions, etc.
• Read texts out loud (into recorder).
• Listen to lecture/text tapes while driving, walking, etc.
• Dictate papers, to be typed later.
• Read questions aloud.
• Use word association.

12. Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners
• Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information.
• In traditional lecture situations, they should write out important facts.
• Create study sheets connected to vivid examples.
• Role-playing can help them learn and remember important ideas.
Have the preference for mobility need to move around, at least every 15 to 20 minutes, while they study or learn.
Let me experience it!

13. Tactile Learner Suggestions for Studying
• Trace letters of words with finger (to memorize spelling, for example)
• Use finger as a guide while reading material.
• Take, and type out or rewrite class notes.
• Get hands-on in science or computer labs, for example – don’t just watch someone else do it.
• Write out everything.
• Use models – of the human brain, DNA, etc.
• Draw charts or diagrams of relationships.

14. Now That You Know Your Learning Style
• Knowing your learning style, can help you study more effectively.
• It is just as important for a teacher to be aware of other learning styles.
• teachers should look for clues to how their students think and learn.
• You can conduct an informal assessment without making it obvious to the student.
• You will notice characteristics of their learning styles in the way they take notes, talk about their instructors, react to their assignments, and respond to your questions.
• You can ask your students some of the same questions you were asked on the “Learning Styles Inventory” quiz.
• Once you have an idea about your student’s learning style, you should apply certain techniques that compliment his/her thinking.

15. Teaching Tips Based on Learning Style Auditory Learners
• Encourage them to explain the material to you, as if they were the teacher.
• Ask them to read explanations out loud. • Tell the students they can review audio tapes while they drive.
• Encourage them to make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, etc.
• Make sure they go over all important facts aloud.
• Advise the student to join or create a study group, or to get a study partner.

16. Teaching Tips Based on Learning Style Tactile Learners
• Encourage your students to pick up the book as they are reading or talking.
• Have them write while they are reading or talking.
• Advise them to sit near the front of the classroom and to take notes. This will keep them focused.
• Encourage them to use the computer to reinforce learning using their sense of touch.
• Have them write lists repeatedly.
• Ask them to use gestures when giving explanations.

17. Teaching Tips Based on Learning Style Visual Learners
• Use a blackboard or notepaper for both of you to write questions and answers.
• Encourage the use of color-coded highlighting.
• Use graph paper to help them create charts and diagrams that demonstrate key points.
• Have them use mnemonics, acronyms, visual chains and mind maps.
• Ask them to make flashcards. Then use them during the sessions. The act of writing and viewing them doubles their comprehension.

18. Teachers Learning/Teaching Styles
“A teacher’s learning style profoundly influences his or her teaching style, and if teacher and student learning styles clash, frustration and trouble can ensue. Identifying and describing both learning styles then becomes one pivotal element in crafting a successful tutor-student relationship.” - John Wolfe

19. Different Teaching Styles
Sequential teacher - Prefers Lecture –talks all period. Usually dresses in a formal manner
Verbal focus – words, words and more words Logical sequence – teacher presents material in a step-by-step, reasonable format.
Random teacher– teacher jumps all over the place. Teacher moves around the class constantly.
Group discussion – teacher talks, but encourages discussion.
Small groups – teacher aids (facilitates) group interaction.
Visual focus – teacher uses lots of visual aids.
Really important – Students must be adaptable.

20. Ways to assess your instructor’s Teaching style
Listen for clues in how your instructor presents the material
Determine what kinds of questions your instructor asks
Observe your instructor’s behavior
Look at how your instructor is dressed : ex. Sequential teachers tend to dress more Formally
Volunteer to read each section in our packet?

21. The Sequential Instructor
Is idealistic, systematic, and organized
Likes facts and details
Values sequential thinking
Shows more interest in data than in people
Prefers informational forms of instruction, such as reading or a lecture
Uses an organized, outline format while teaching.
Has well planned learning activities
Grades answers as right or wrong (no partial credit)
Can sometimes be completely unaware of the emotional climate in a room.
Seeks efficiency
Is a decision maker
Typically teaches subjects that require sequential thinking such as math or computers
Tends to be a firm disciplinarian

22. The Random Instructor Enjoys people
Is non- judgmental and supportive
Prefers role-playing, open discussion, and small group work
Will often individualize instruction
Prefers to create own course of study
Gives imaginative assignments
Displays a learning environment that sequential instructors may view as disorderly
Assumes learning is a function of interest
Teacher moves around the class constantly.
Tends to follow what he or she feels like doing rather than a structured lesson plan
Typically teaches subjects that require random thinking like art, music, or physical education.
Stresses concepts and conclusions

23. Helping Your student(s) Build Positive Relationships with his/her Instructors
• Much of education is about interactions with your professors.
• The success of those interactions will have a major impact on a student’s overall educational success.
• Encourage your student to not let his/her learning style or personality preferences control his/her behavior.
• Students should take responsibility for relating to their instructors in a way that will be most beneficial to them. Students may need to adjust their learning style based on the teachers Teaching Style.
• Instructors will be more responsive if the student appears to be confident and in control.

24. Solving Problems with Instructors
• Instructors are human. Students can and should talk to them.
• If a student is struggling in a course, suggest that he talk to classmates and his instructor.
• Encourage students to be courteous and forthright. We all make mistakes: instructors and students both.
• students should keep copies of their work.
• students should direct complaints to instructor first.
• If unsuccessful, appeal in writing to instructor’s supervisor.

25. Making the Most of the Student-Instructor Relationship
• students should make it a point to attend class regularly, and on time.
• If they have a question, ask it.
• students should save class “cuts” for emergencies.
• Encourage your students to sit near the front of the classroom.
• students should see their instructor outside of class when they need help.
Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

26. Remember!
• No matter what your student’s Learning Style is, it is very important for them to:
– Be involved in class
– participate!
– Link classroom experience to the outside world
– Relate class concepts to real life experiences.
– Ask questions and offer criticism.
– Don’t get distracted
– stay “on-task”
– Keep an open mind: there are many ideas beyond your own.
All life is learning; it never stops!

27. In Conclusion
• Each student learns differently, at a different rate, using different learning styles.
• Everyone has a learning style.
• Your student’s style of learning, if accommodated, can result in improved attitudes toward learning, as well as increased self-esteem and academic achievement.
• By identifying your learning style and becoming familiar with other styles, you will become a more effective and creative teacher/student.

28. Learning Style Survey Vocabulary

29. Visual Some people learn best by reading and seeing things.
Others learn best by listening and talking.

30. Auditory Some people learn by listening and talking.
Will listen to background music to concentrate.
Others find listening and talking distracting to their learning.

31. Tactile
Some people learn best when they can touch or have a “hands on” experience with their learning activities.
Other people do not need to “touch” what they are learning

32. Kinesthetic Closely related to tactile learning
People who have the preference for mobility need to move around, at least every 15 to 20 minutes, while they study or learn.
Kinesthetic learners learn best through body movement and experiencing what they are learning.
Kinesthetic learners are generally well coordinated and have a good sense of timing and body movement.
They will concentrate better and learn more easily when movement is involved.
For others body movement is a less important tool for learning

33. Light
The amount of light in your learning environment can affect your achievement based on your preference
Some people study better and learn better in a brightly lit environment while others achieve more in a dimly lit area

34. Sound
Some people use sound to absorb noise and provide a background for other sounds. They find silence distracting and background sounds help them concentrate and focus better
Other people require a quiet environment to study and learn. They find background sounds distracting and have trouble concentrating.

35. Intake
Some people learn better when they are able to snack, chew or drink something while in their learning environment.
Other people find that eating or drinking in the learning environment is distracting.

36. Temperature
People study and learn differently in a warmer or cooler environment.
Your achievement will generally increase if your preference for a warm or cool environment is accommodated.

37. Structure
Structure is a measure of how much detail you need when given an assignment.
Some people like to have a lot of detail about how a task should be completed.
Others like to work out the details on their own.

38. Motivation Motivation is the key element that affects your achievement
Since different people have different levels of motivation, you should try to discover ways to motivate yourself to accomplish your goals.

39. Mobility
People who have the preference for mobility need to move around, at least every 15 to 20 minutes, while they study or learn.
It is difficult for them to sit in one place for a long time.
Frequent breaks to move around are important in maintaining their ability to concentrate on learning material.

40. Teacher Motivation
Some people like to learn and study because it pleases their teacher and they will do things because their teacher asks them to.
For people with this preference, its important that their teacher give them positive feedback and praise them when they do well.

41. Design
The physical design of furniture in your learning and studying environment has a direct effect on achievement.
The traditional straight-backed chairs and formal desks environment does not always work for some people who prefer a less formal design.

42. Persistence
Relates to learning styles, measures a person’s inclination to finish tasks and activities. High persistence learners need parent/teacher motivation to learn.
Others have many unfinished tasks and activities going on at the same time.
May also relate to whether or not you procrastinate when completing tasks or activities.

43. Alone/Peer
Whether you are more productive learning and working with peers or whether you do better by learning and working alone.
If you prefer to learn and work with peers you might be dissatisfied in a job where most of the time is spent working alone.
If you prefer learning and working alone you may be distracted by having peers around you most of the time and be less efficient and productive.

44. Time of Day
Time of day during which you study and learn new and difficult material has a direct effect on your learning success.
Either early day or late day.

45. fin