1. Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Indianapolis
Creative Classroom
Reach all students by using learning styles in your teaching
Lynn Hanen, MS
Ivy Tech Adjunct Faculty Indianapolis

2. Learning Styles
Individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. The learning styles theory implies that how much individuals learn has more to do with whether the educational experience is geared toward their particular style of learning than whether or not they are “smart.” In fact, educators should not ask, “Is this student smart?” but rather “How is this student smart?”

3. Learning Style Theory Based on research
heredity
upbringing
environmental demands
Individuals perceive and process knowledge differently
concrete and abstract perceivers
active and reflective processors

4. Concrete and Abstractive perceivers
Concrete Percievers:
absorb information through direct experience, by doing, acting, sensing, and feeling.
Abstractive Perceivers:
take in information through analysis, observation, and thinking

5. Active and Reflective Processors
Active Processors:
make sense of an experience by immediately using the new information
Reflective Processors:
make sense of an experience by reflecting on and thinking about it

6. Traditional Schooling We Need to Start Thinking “Out of the Box”
Favors:
abstract perceiving
thinkers
reflective processing
Not Rewarded:
concrete perceivers
doing, acting
active processors
Immediate use

7. Learning Styles Impact Education
Curriculum – educators must place emphasis on intuition, feeling, sensing, and imagination, in addition to the traditional skills of analysis, reason, and problem solving.
Instruction – all learning styles should be used to connect with students
Assessment – focus on developing the whole brain, use different learning styles

8. Learning Styles Found in the Classroom Do you recognize these students?
Visual Learners:
take numerous detailed notes
tend to sit in the front
are usually neat and clean
often close their eyes to visualize or remember something
find something to watch if they are bored
like to see what they are learning
benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color
are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery
prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction
find passive surroundings ideal

9. Auditory Learners
sit where they can hear but needn’t pay attention to what is happening in front
may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why
hum or talk to themselves or others when bored
acquire knowledge by reading aloud
remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves(if they don’t they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics)

10. Kinesthetic Learners
need to be active and take frequent breaks
speak with their hands and with gestures
remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen
find reasons to tinker or move when bored
rely on what they can directly experience or perform
activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn
enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials
sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around
are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on-experiences
communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back

11. Purple – 65% Visual
Blue – 20% Auditory
Yellow – 5% Tactile

12. Benefits of Understanding your Learning Style
Academic Advantages
· Maximizing your learning potential
· Succeed on all educational levels
· Understand how to best study and
score better on exams and tests
· Overcome limitations in the classroom
· Reduces frustration and stress levels
· Expand your existing learning
strategies

13. Personal Advantages · Improve your self-confidence and self-esteem
· Learn how to best use your brain
· Gain insight into your own strengths
as well as weaknesses
· Learn how to enjoy learning more
· Develop a motivation for learning
· How to maximize your natural
abilities and skills

14. Professional Advantages
· Stay up to date on professional topics · Gain an edge over the competition · Manage teams in a more effective manner · Learn how to deliver more effective presentations · Improve your sales skills · Increasing your earning power

15. Educational Learning Styles
Visual (spatial) – prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding
Aural (auditory-musical) - prefer using sound and music
Verbal (linguistic) - prefer using words, both in speech and writing
Physical (kinesthetic) – prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

16. Logical (mathematical) – prefer using logic, reasoning and systems
Social (interpersonal) – prefer to learn in groups or with other people
Solitary (intrapersonal) – prefer to work alone and use self-study
WHICH TYPE OF INSTRUCTOR OR
You?