Do you need to see a name written before you remember it? I do. I’m a visual learner. Research on personality and brain function, especially related to the differences in left and right hemispheric functions, indicate that each person stores and communicates information in a preferred way. Each of us has a predominate style, all of us use some of every style, and most of us have a least preferred style. When you know how you learn, you can develop strategies to improve your learning. There is no best style but like styles tend to exchange information more effectively. You can also identify and adapt to teaching styles which are unlike your preferred learning style.
Four Learning Styles
Though there are many names and descriptions for different learning styles, the most practical method for identify each style is by its preferred perceptual sense. Thus their are four styles. Click on the name of the style for a link showing the characteristics of that style.
VISUAL: Visual learners prefer seeing information, prefer symbols, charts, diagrams, pictures (including motion), and colors. A person with this style will underline, highlight, draw symbols, and often doodle. This style is easily distracted by images and may “tune out” lectures.
AUDITORY: Auditory learners prefer lectures and, if not shy, are eager to discuss any topic. A person with this style will become so “caught up” in a lecture that no notes are taken, thus a tape recorder can be helpful. This style likes group work and may read/study out loud.
KINESTHETIC: Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing most often using trial and error (they read the instructions as a last resort). A person with this style prefers lab work, field activities, and objects to manipulate. This style will day-dream instead of listening to lectures, taking notes, or reading. This style likes to get involved and get things done. This is the least common teaching style.
aNALYTIC Analytic learners read, think about it, reread, organize, think about it, write, think about it, rewrite, think about it, reorganize, and uses many reference materials. A person with this style likes clearly stated goals, lists, patterns, check-offs, practice sets, and homework. This style prefers the detail often letting someone else worry about the “big picture.
To help identify your style link to an inventory. The web references on that page list more surveys.
Using Your Learning Styles - Study & Test Aids
The following lists some things to do and some things to avoid for each style.
|
| Study Aids | Test Aids |
| Visual | Do | Use mind mapping Replace words with symbols Turn phrases into images Reconstruct images in different ways | Draw diagrams, symbols, etc. on the test Practice turning visual back into words Picture your notes in your mind |
Don’t | Allow visual distraction in study areas Concentrate on developing models instead of studying the material Put studying off | Leave anything blank – put words around the idea for some credit
| |
| Auditory | Do | Record class lectures Tape your summaries Read out loud Teach others Use study groups | Read questions as though you are speaking including “common” usage of words In your mind, listen to your tapes |
Don’t | Allow yourself to be diverted by sounds Make disturbing sounds (pencil taping) Not make notes | Hesitate to “hear” the words you read | |
| Kinesthetic | Do | Create models to manipulate e.g. pennies for electrons, nickels for neutrons, & quarters for protons Use note summaries Use illustrations Talk/study with other kinesthetics (stay on topic) | Write practice answers Role-play the exams Draw your manipulative models |
Don’t | Put studying off Skip any reading material – especially the introduction and summary Assume you know it – test yourself | Solve the wrong problem Make hasty decisions – (a) may be the correct answer but “all the above” might be better Review and evaluate before turning anything in. | |
| aNalytic | Do | Write words and lists over and over Rewrite ideas into different ways Learn the teachers organization strategy Use organization charts for ideas | Practice objective tests Study I-notes Write lists Check items off |
Don’t | Do too much Spend too much time on impractical ideas Only study the details – look for comprehension | Make something exactly right – losing one point for a small mistake is better than not having time to get to an entire problem Expect questions exactly the way you studied the material |
Career
Login to
Virtual
Catalog and
Brazosport College