LEARNING STYLES

Knowing how you learn can make all the difference.

Learning Styles—an Overview

 Visual – 40% of population.

 Auditory – 30% of population.
 Kinesthetic – 30% of
population.

 NOTE: 100% of population uses a

combination of all three styles listed above.
Most often one type is dominant.
Why it is important to understand your learning style?

 Better major selection.

 You want to choose a major that caters to your dominant learning style.
 If you are a kinesthetic learner, a Construction Management major is a good fit.
 On the other hand, if you are an auditory learner you will want to purse a major that contains a
majority of lecture courses.

 Better strategy in choosing courses that are aligned

with how you learn.
 If you are undecided about your major, knowing your learning style can help you avoid courses in
which you know you will struggle.
 Lecture course versus a Lab course?

 Strategize ways to do better in your courses.

 Once you identify your learning preference, you can focus better on required program courses that
you know are going to be difficult.
 Your choice of study group partners or tutoring formats can be informed by your learning style
preference.
Visual Learners
 Visual Learners typically…
 Remember what was read or seen in a
presentation.
 Don't retain what they hear over a long
period of time.
 Think in pictures, use “scenes” to
describe.
 Have vivid imaginations.
 Associate color with information.
 Remember faces, but not names.
 Like written reports better than verbal
ones.
Auditory Learners

 Auditory Learners typically…

 Remember what they hear in a lecture or
presentation. Or even during a conversation.
 Talk while they write.
 Are sophisticated speakers.
 Remember by listening, and therefore get the
most out of lectures.
 Assign little meaning to concepts or
information until that information is presented
in an audible format.
 Kinesthetic Learners

 Kinesthetic Learners
typically…
 Want to move all the time…they
want to be busy!
 Are well coordinated.
 Are “doers”, not big “talkers”.
 Like to take things apart, put them
back together to learn how things
work.
 Need concrete experiences to act
as learning aides.
Break it down…
 So how do you know which is your dominant learning style?
 Take a learning style assessment.
 Usually available from your adviser.
 Sometimes UN 100 textbooks contain them.
 ACAC can provide them.
 Some available online for FREE.
 Analyze the results…what do they mean?
 Discuss them with your academic adviser.
 What are the strengths of your learning style?
 What are the challenges?
 What are some strategies you can use to be more successful – particularly in your
current classes?
 Refer to the following slides for applied techniques for each learning style.
Applied techniques
 Visual Learners:
 Write out everything for frequent and quick visual review.
 Use color coding when learning new concepts and words.
 Use outlines of reading assignments which cover key points and guide reading.
 Use notes and flash cards for review of material, vocabulary, and terminology for specific course s.
 Review textbook during relevant lecture component.

 Auditory Learners:
 The student should position themselves in the classroom or lecture hall so that he/she can hear lectures and
review them frequently.
 Read written material aloud (restate in your own words) .
 Verbally review spelling words and lectures with another person - practice verbal repetition .
 Record lectures (with instructor permission).

 Kinesthetic Learners:
 Study in short blocks of time rather than extended periods .
 Have as many experimental learning opportunities as possible, such as lab and studio courses, as opposed to
straight lecture classes - if you have a choice job shadowing, internships, etc.
 Use this info when selecting courses.
 Use flash cards.
This PowerPoint presentation is the property of
Northern Michigan University’s Academic &
Career Advisement Center. It may not be
reproduced without written consent.
www.nmu.edu/acac