Understanding Different Learning Styles What is the best way to learn?

The best way for a person to learn depends on the person, of course. It is well know that people have different leaning styles that work best for them. The best approach for an instructor to take is to address a variety of learning styles with their teaching plan. It is also helpful to encourage students to understand their preferred leaning style. By the time students reach the college level it is often assumed that they have figured out the best and most productive way to study to retain information. Of course, this is not a correct assumption. Teachers should make students aware of the various learning styles and encourage them to consider their preferred style as they complete their studies. Providing the right environment conducive to learning The classroom environment can also have a big effect on the amount of learning that occurs. Here again, people are different and have different environmental preferences. Nevertheless, understand what effects the learning process is important to know. Some of the common learning styles and environmental factors that should be considered when attempting to create the best learning conditions are listed below. (This following information was adapted from: Moore, Carol. (1992). Learning Styles - Classroom Adaptation<based primarily on Carbo Learning Styles>. Learning Styles DESCRIPTION Most students learn best when there is a logical sequential, delineated lesson that provides the objective and systematic steps to do the assignment. This type of student benefits from the use of rubrics so that they can better follow lectures and assignments. However, some students do not like much structure and appreciate being given choices and allowed to be creative. Some students benefit greatly from group activities and other do not. For those who are peer learners, pair them with another student when possible. For those who are self learners, do not force them into a group/peer-learning situation all the time. Cooperative learning is an important learning tool but some students are more introverted than others and may have difficulty participating in group activities. Some students learn best by listening. Auditory learners do well with lecture, class discussions, etc. While lecture is considered the least effective teaching method, some students learn best by simply listening. These students may also be more sensitive to outside noises. Visual learners benefit from a variety of ocular stimulation. One example would be the use of colors. These students like images and written information. They like to be able to read instructions or the text on their own to increase their understanding. When studying it is helpful for these student to use different color highlighters or pens as they are reading and taking notes. These students may also be more sensitive to visual distractions. Most people learn best with hands-on activities, but some gain a lot more from it than others. Some students really increase their learn potential when they are give they opportunity to do something by themselves Especially in a science classroom there should be plenty of opportunities to learn by doing.

Structure of Lessons

Sociological

Auditory

Visual

Tactile

Environmental Factors A formal setting would be the traditional desk and chair or possibly a table. An informal setting would be the floor, a couch, a beanbag, etc. Every student's brain will not function the same in the same postural position. So when you see a student slouching in a traditional desk or chair, it may simply mean that they would learn better in more of a informal setting.

Formal vs. Informal

Noise vs. Quiet

Some students find sound distracting and some find it calming. It may be beneficial to have several study areas established. One where the noise level is kept to a minimum and one where some background noise is present. Room temperature also plays a key role in learning. If a student is too cold or too hot, they will have more of a hard time concentrating on what their learning task is. It is recommended that the classroom temperature be cool if possible. This way those who do not like being cold can simply wear another layer of clothing and be comfortable. Everybody's eyes react differently to light. Some students may need to sit by a bright reading lamp while others may get a headache when too much light is present. A light level that all students find comfortable should be sought. Some people need to have continuous movement as they are studying, such as tapping there fingers or foot on the floor, fooling with their hair, using a stress ball, or chewing gum. This is absolutely natural but if they are not alone studying, make sure they do not distract others. The human body is built to move and it does particularly like to sit still for long periods of time. Have students to stand, stretch, and take short breaks as needed during studying. It is good to study in 20-30 minute increments with a brief break between each block of time. Research has shown that it only takes 30 seconds to rest and recharge the brain.

Temperature

Bright vs. Dim

Kinesthetic

Mobility

Auditory Learners: Hear Auditory learners would rather listen to things being explained than read about them. Reciting information out loud and having music in the background may be a common study method. Other noises may become a distraction resulting in a need for a relatively quiet place. Visual Learners: See Visual learners learn best by looking at graphics, watching a demonstration, or reading. For them, it's easy to look at charts and graphs, but they may have difficulty focusing while listening to an explanation. Kinesthetic Learners: Touch Kinesthetic learners process information best through a "hands-on" experience. Actually doing an activity can be the easiest way for them to learn. Sitting still while studying may be difficult, but writing things down makes it easier to understand. Types of Learning Styles: What Everybody Should Know Although most people use a combination of the three learning styles, they usually have a clear preference for one. Knowing and understanding the types of learning styles is important for students of any age. It is advantageous for students to understand their type of learning style early on so that homework and learning may become easier and less stressful in the future. Although it may be tempting to stick with what works, it's important to practice and train the other types of learning styles early on so that, as he grows, the child can utilize the other types just as effectively. Types of Learning Styles: A Renaissance Child A well-balanced, intelligent child is able to develop all three types of learning styles. Just because a child has a dominant learning style doesn't mean that the other types can't be improved. Having just one dominant learning style, and relying on that style only, can debilitate a child's true potential. There are many different ways to train the different types of learning styles, but it ultimately comes down to training the cognitive skills. Cognitive skills are the foundational building blocks of each learning style. Without properly trained cognitive skills, a child isn't able to use or take advantage of the other learning styles effectively. At LearningRx, we offer a cognitive skills assessment to find the areas in which a child needs improvement. We also offer training that goes to the root of the problem instead of working on the symptoms.

Introduction to Learning Styles You may realize that people learn and process information in different ways, but can you describe what those differences are or improve the unique ways that you learn? For decades, education researchers designed models that differentiate how people learn, yet the results are often harder to understand than the people they describe.

This introduction puts learning styles information into easy to understand language and provides sources where you can learn more. I also offer a Learning Style Assessment that you can use to gauge your dominant learning style and techniques you can use to benefit from your individuality. Overview of learning styles Books about different ways people learn Links to other websites about learning styles

Overview of learning styles Learning styles classify different ways people learn and how they approach information. If you feel like you cant learn something important even after you use a method a friend, a parent, a colleague, or a teacher suggested you might have a different learning style than that person and their approach might now be the best approach for you. You learn and processes information in your own special way, though we all share some learning patterns, preferences, and approaches. Knowing your own style can also help you realize that other people may approach the same situation in a way thats different from your own. I meet learners of all ages who think theyre dim, dumb, lazy, or crazy because they cant understand materials the way the others do. When these learners can match the way they approach information with the way they learn, they see dramatic improvements in understanding, meaning making, self-image, and for students grades. Learning style assessments provide you an opportunity to learn how you are likely to respond under different circumstances and how to approach information in a way that best addresses your own particular needs. Perceptual Modalities The learning styles assessments I find most helpful examine how you take in information through your senses. Researchers call these sorts of assessments perceptual modality assessments. They look at how you see, hear, feel, and move through the world. Those perceptions deeply affect your ability to learn. Whether you tend to rely more or less on one sense than another has a tremendous influence on how you interpret new experiences and succeed in whatever you work with each day. Take a perceptual modality assessment now. Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner asserts there are at least seven modalities (referred to as intelligences) that can be used to describe your individual style. His work encourages everyone to think about learning in new and creative ways. This work suggests people can be: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Verbal-linguistic: sensitive to the meaning and order of words Musical: sensitive to pitch, melody, rhythm, and tone Logical-mathematical: Able to handle chains of reasoning and recognize patterns and order Spatial: perceive the world accurately and try to re-create or transform aspects of that world Bodily-kinesthetic: able to use the body skillfully and handle objects adroitly Interpersonal: understand people and relationships Intrapersonal: possess access to ones emotional life as a means to understand oneself and others.

Mind Styles According to Anthony Gregorc, there are four basic learning styles. Gregorcs Mind Styles model categorizes learners as Concrete Sequential (CS), Abstract Sequential (AS) Abstract Random (AR) and Concrete Random (CR). 1. Concrete Sequential (CS) learners are hardworking, conventional, accurate, stable, dependable, consistent, factual, and organized. 2. Abstract Sequential (AS) learners are analytic, objective, knowledgeable, thorough, structured, logical, deliberate, and systematic. 3. Abstract Random (AR) learners are sensitive, compassionate, perceptive, imaginative, idealistic, sentimental, spontaneous, and flexible. 4. Concrete Random (CR) learners are quick, intuitive, curious, realistic, creative, innovative, instinctive, adventurous.

Learning Styles Have you ever wondered why you have difficulty learning from a particular instructor, whereas another seems to explain things in just the right way? Did you ever question why the course that your friend said was so easy turned into a struggle for you? Do you notice that you and your roommate have different opinions on whether or not to have the radio on while you're studying? The reason behind some of these discrepancies may be differences in learning styles. What is a "learning style"? To put it simply, your learning style (or learning preference) is the way you tend to learn best. It involves your preferred method of taking in, organizing, and making sense of information. Learning styles do not tell us about a person's abilities or intelligence, but they can help us understand why some tasks seem easier for us than others. There are several benefits of thinking about and trying to understand your learning preferences: people learn most effectively when the strategies used are closely matched with their preferred learning style sometimes we can improve our learning by knowing what our strengths are and then doing more of what we're good at often we can improve our learning by knowing what our weaknesses are and trying to enhance our skills in these areas different situations and learning environments require different learning strategies, so it's best to have a large repertoire from which to draw

Expanding Your Learning Preferences There are 3 learning style preferences discussed here: 1. auditory (learning by hearing) 2. visual (learning by seeing) 3. kinesthetic (learning by doing) The ideas are not meant to be the absolute best strategy for each student in all situations. Rather, if you're looking to improve your effectiveness as a student, choose the learning preference category that you feel best matches the way you like to learn (e.g. visually), and check to see if you follow the suggested strategies (e.g. enhancing visual learning). Then, look at the strategies for the other two learning styles, and try to implement some of these ideas into your repertoire as well. Enhancing Auditory Learning (Learning By Hearing) Text Learning Lecture Learning listen to instructions and information given orally sit towards the front of the room so you can hear well and so that you won't be distracted by the noises other students make sit away from doors, windows, and other sources of noise repeat information silently to yourself "subvocalize" as you take notes - repeat information to yourself as a quiet "mumble" that's barely audible rehearse/repeat information either silently in your head, or out loud study with a partner and take turns reading to each other - discuss key concepts work in quiet areas to minimize hearing music, television or other distractions if you prefer to study with music playing, choose something with no lyrics, and keep the volume low use rhymes or jingles to help remember important points talk to yourself about textbook diagrams and illustrations ensure you understand by creating verbal descriptions tape yourself summarizing key points, then play the tape as a memory rehearsal strategy try to remember important terminology by thinking about how parts of the words sound read instructions and questions out loud to yourself (or subvocalize in test situations)

Enhancing Visual Learning (Learning By Seeing) Text Learning Lecture Learning watch for key words written on transparencies, PowerPoint slides, or the board to help organize notes sit towards the front of the room choose a location where you can see the instructor and all visual aids well sit away from doors, windows, bulletin boards, and other potential distractions try to listen and write down what you hear; fill in your notes and check for understanding after each class if confused about a detail, ask the instructor for clarification, write down what she/he says, then review later to ensure you understand use visuals like symbols and colour in notes to help flag new concepts and key ideas ask the instructor if other visual information is available (eg. course web site, lecture outline) complete readings before lectures minimize visual distractions in your study space (eg. cover your computer screen, do not sit facing a window) make an outline of key topics in chart or diagram format make pictures in your mind use the Cornell note-taking system - include a left margin with key words look for sketches, diagrams, or charts to help interpret information - practice re-drawing them to help remember write down problems and/or questions and practice writing solutions and/or responses use flash cards to help rehearse try to remember important terminology by looking for parts of the word you already know make notes colourful highlight notes so all information relating to one topic is in the same colour category draw boxes or circles around terms/ concepts and draw lines or arrows to show how they are related to one another learn when and how to translate text into charts, graphs, or pictures, such as make a time-line from dates, or draw percentages or statistical information in a pie chart

Enhancing Kinesthetic Learning (Learning By Doing) Text Learning Lecture Learning ask questions and participate in discussions whenever possible question the relevance and applicability to the course, yourself, and life in general take a small object (eg. stress-ball) to class to play with in one hand while the other takes notes consider using a lap-top to take notes (for some courses with a lot of equations, graphs, and diagrams, such as math and chemistry, a lap top may not be practical) consider choosing course sections offering 3 onehour segments rather than 1 three-hour segment when possible use class breaks to stand up and stretch do something physical before sitting down to read or study highlight, underline, or take notes use your fingers or a piece of paper to help keep track of where you are break reading tasks into small chunks stop after each chunk, think about what you learned, and write a brief summary personalize the information - think about how the concepts apply to you or other people you know think about how you can use the information outside the classroom or course take regular, brief breaks to move around use the discussion or practice questions in the textbook or study guide to help rehearse information - if none are available, make up your own questions as you study move a body part (eg. swing or tap your foot), or walk around if it helps you concentrate write processes, etc. on cards, mix them up, then practice physically arranging them into the correct sequence if you typically use your hands when talking to people, try using your hands when studying and explaining concepts to yourself