LEARNING STYLES
Have you ever tried to explain an idea to your classmates, only to find that they
were unable to understand what you thought was straightforward? What do you
think causes this or why do you think something like that happens?
Write your response in the lines below:
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People have different styles or ways of learning. But what does the term learning
style mean?
Learning styles simply refers to how you take in and process
information.
They are also simply known as different ways of looking at things or
approaches of learning
Important
Importantthings
thingsthat
thatyou
you
need
to
note
regarding
need to note regarding
learning
learningstyles
styles
Learning styles have no basis on how intelligent you are.
Your learning style has to do with how your brain works most efficiently to learn
new information.
There is no good or bad learning style, no right or wrong.
1 Learning styles
By being aware of your learning style, you will learn more effectively.
Everyone has an extra ordinary capacity to learn in many different ways.
To understand what a learning style is, just think of how you prefer to learn new
things.
Do you soak up new information through pictures, sounds or in some physical
way through your feelings or touch? The answer to this question will tell you what
your preferred learning style is.
TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES
At the end of this section you should be able to:
understand the different types of learning styles.
identify your learning style
There are three fundamental styles of learning:
1. VISUAL LEARNING STYLE
Characteristics of visual learners
Visual learners often think in pictures and learn best through seeing.
They prefer displays of information such as graphs, pictures, diagrams,
videos, flipcharts e.t.c
These types of learners enjoy taking down detailed notes as it assists
them to understand information.
Are good at faces but forgets names
Prefer to take detailed notes
Need quiet time to study
Usually are good spellers
Like to read
Memorise by seeing
Often close eyes to recall information or spelling
Notice details
Observe rather than talk or act
2 Learning styles
Like colours and diagrams
Mind may stray during verbal activities
Study methods suitable for visual learners
Take notes and summarise material
Use cue words
Use highlighters and coloured pens to summarise
Make mind maps
Use the computer to organize materials and to create graphs, tables,
spreadsheets e.t.c.
Worst Test Type
Listen and respond test
Best test type
Diagramming, reading maps &
essays
2. AUDITORY LEARNERS
Characteristics of auditory learners
Auditory learners learn best through listening, i.e. through verbal lectures,
discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to
say.
For auditory learners written information may have little meaning until it is
heard, so they may choose to tape lectures or read text out aloud.
Are not afraid to talk or speak in class
Are easily distracted
Hum or sing, tend to enjoy music
Like oral reports
Like to be read to
Are good at explaining
Easily remember names
Read slowly
3 Learning styles
Follow spoken directions well
Cant keep quiet for long periods
Study methods suitable for auditory learners
Watch videos
Repeat facts with eyes closed
Participate in group discussions
Record notes after writing them
Tell others what they have learned
Make up rhymes to recall information
Repeat things orally
Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, e.t.c
Use word association to remember facts, dates, names etc.
Worst Test Type e.g.
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a
timed test
Best test type
Oral exams, writing responses to lessons they have heard
3. TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
Characteristics of tactile/ kinesthetic learners
Tactile learners learn best through touching, moving and doing.
They have a hands-on approach to learning.
They have a constant need to explore and may find it difficult to sit still for
long periods.
They tend to be good at sports or other physical activities such as dancing
They do not have great handwriting or spelling skills
They like to be able to do things and experiment
They tap a pencil or foot when working
They like to touch people when talking to them
4 Learning styles
They study with loud music on
They like adventure books, movies e.t.c.
May enjoy acting
Like to problem solve by physically working through problems.
They enjoy handling objects
Take breaks when studying
Enjoy working with hands, such as building models
Often restless in the classrooms
Reading tends to be not a priority for them
They like physical rewards
Study methods suitable for tactile/ kinesthetic learners
Study in short blocks
Role playing
Studying with others
Use memory games
Using flash cards to memorize
Pick up the books as they are reading or talking
Use computers to reinforce learning
Using the sense of touch
Write with fingers in the sand
Use gestures to recall information
Pace while learning
Write lists repeatedly
Worst Test Type
Long tests & essays
Best test type
Short definitions, fill-ins &
multiple choices
5 Learning styles
Research has shown that
students can perform better on
tests if they change study habits
to fit their own personal learning
styles
An example: visual- learning students will
sometimes struggle during essay exams
because they cant recall test material that was
heard in a class. However, if the visual learner
uses a visual aid when studying, like a colourful
outline of test materials, he or she may retain
more information. For him, visual tools improve
the ability to recall information more completely.
Your learning style may be the
single most important key to
improving your grades
Some students remember best
materials they have seen; some
remember things they have
heard, while others remember
things they have experienced.
So, you
category?
fall
under
which
Now that you have gained a lot of information on the different types of learning
styles turn over to the next page and complete the activity in order to see how
much information you can recall.
6 Learning styles
No cheating
You have 10 minutes to complete the following activity. Write your answers
on the spaces provided.
1. Name the three types of learning styles.
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2. List three characteristics of auditory learners.
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3. Give five study methods that are suitable for tactile learners
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4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Indicate this by
putting a tick in the column you believe is the correct one
No. Statement
1.
Visual learners do not like colours and diagrams
2.
Kinesthetic learners are also known as tactile
learners
3.
Auditory learners like oral reports
4.
5.
Tactile learners enjoy acting
Watching videos is a good study method used by
auditory learners
6.
Auditory learners like to be read to
7 Learning styles
True
False
7.
Visual learners study effectively when they use cue
words
Now assess yourself by comparing your responses with the notes on
pages 2 to 6.
It is time for you to find out which of the three is your learning style. To do
that you have to do the following quick assessment
Read each of the statements and put a tick next to the answer that best applies
to you. Tick ONE option only and be as honest as possible so you can get the
true reflection. The column with the most crosses in it at the end will indicate your
preferred learning style.
Statement
1
When operating
equipment for the
first time I .
read the
instructions
ask for an
explanation
have a go and learn
by trial & error
When needing
directions I
look at a
map
ask for spoken
directions
use a compass
When cooking I.
follow a
recipe
call a friend for
explanation
follow my instinct,
tasting as I cook
To teach someone
something I
write
instructions
explain verbally
demonstrate and let
them try
I tend to say
show me
tell me
let me try
I prefer these
leisure activities
museums or
galleries
music or
conversation
physical activities or
making things
When shopping
generally I tend
to. ..
look and
decide
discuss with shop
staff
try on, handle or test
I watch what
the teacher
I talk to the teacher
and ask what I am
8 Learning styles
Learning a new
skill
is doing
supposed to do
When listening to a
band
I sing along
to the lyrics
I listen to the lyrics
and the beats
I dance in time with
the music
focus on the
words or
pictures in
front of me
writing notes
or keeping
printed
details
discuss the
problem and
possible solutions
move around a lot,
fiddle with pens and
pencils
saying them aloud
or repeating words
doing and practicing
the activity
write lots of
revision
notes(using
lots of
colours)
I talk over my
notes, to myself or
to other people
Imagine making the
movement or creating
the formula
Most of my free
13 time is spent
watching
television
talking to friends
doing physical activity
or making things
I first notice how
14 people
look and
dress
sound and speak
stand and move
I keep
replaying in
my mind what
it is that has
upset me
I shout lots and tell
people how I feel
I stomp about, slam
doors and throw
things
I find it easiest to
16 remember
faces
names
things I have done
I think can tell
someone is lying
17 because
they avoid
looking at you
their voice
changes
Visual
Auditory
When
10 concentrating I
I remember things
best by
11
When I revise for
12 an exam, I
If I am very
15 angry
Totals
I work it out as I am
doing it
the vibes I get from
them
Kinesthetic/Physical
Now calculate the totals for each column. The total scores for each style indicate
your preferred learning style. Some people have very strong preferences and
9 Learning styles
other people have more evenly balanced preferences. The point is simply to try
to understand as much as you can about yourself and your learning style and
then make the best use of learning or study methods which suit your style.
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Now that you have identified your learning style you need to work on it in order to
maximize your learning potential. Understanding the different multiple
intelligences will also help you to know yourself better.
Therefore, in this section you will learn about the different multiple intelligences
and at the end of this section you should be able to do the following:
Identify your intelligence
Understand how it links to your learning style
Use that information to make informed decisions about choosing careers.
What does the word multiple intelligences mean?
It is the seven different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. This simply
means your ability to think about complicated ideas and discuss them.
There are seven types of multiple intelligences
Visual/ Spatial Intelligence
Ability to perceive the visual a learner who tends to think in
pictures and need to create clear mental pictures to retain
information. A learner who enjoys looking at maps, charts, pictures,
videos and movies.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
interests for you are:
Navigators, sculptors, visual artists, inventors,
architects, interior designers, mechanics & engineers
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
Ability to use words and language a learner who has highly
developed auditory skills and is generally an elegant speaker. A
learner who thinks in words rather than pictures.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
interests for you are:
Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician,
10 Learning styles
translator
Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
Ability to use reason, logic and numbers - a learner who thinks in
logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces
of information. This is a learner who likes to do experiments and
asks a lot of questions.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Scientists, engineers, computer programmers,
researchers, accountants, mathematicians
Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
Ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully a
learner who expresses himself/herself through movement.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors,
firefighters, artisans
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence
Ability to produce and appreciate music a learner who thinks in
sounds, rhythms and patterns. This is a learner who immediately
responds to music either by appreciating or criticizing what he/she
hears.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible
career paths for you are:
Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer, music
teacher.
Interpersonal Intelligence
11 Learning styles
Ability to relate and understand others a learner who tries to see
things from other peoples point of view in order to understand how
they think and feel.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible
career paths for you are:
Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person,
psychologist, social worker
Intrapersonal Intelligence
Ability to self-respect and be aware of ones inner state of being a
learner who tries to understand his/her inner feelings, dreams,
relationships with others and strengths and weaknesses.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Researchers, theorists, philosophers
Do you see the connection between the learning styles and multiples
intelligences?
Write your response in the lines below.
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The advantage of knowing what your dominant intelligence is, is that you
are provided with more than enough opportunities to develop and excel in
this area
We wish you the best with your studies and we hope that when you choose your
subjects in grade 10 you will choose wisely and those choices will be informed by
the career you want to pursue when you complete your schooling.
12 Learning styles
Call the BHP Billiton Career Centre on 011 639- 8400 for more information
on this and other topics. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Mirriam
Makeba and President Streets, Newtown Fax 011 832 3360 Email:
[email protected]
13 Learning styles
