Different Learning Styles

1. Different Learning Styles Presented by: Huma Malik, Sydney Henderson, Star Williams, Monica Truelsen and Roman Selezinka Sci 400 Spring 2008

2. The Three Major Learning Styles • Visual • Auditory • Tactile/Kinesthetic

3. Visual Learners • These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expressions to fully learn the material • Therefore, they prefer to sit at the front of the class • Visual learners also take detailed and organized notes to absorb the information • They have good spatial skills

4. Visual Learners Cont'd... • They learn best from visual displays such as: • diagrams • illustrated text books • overhead transparencies • videos • flip-charts • hand-outs • They love to draw, doodle, especially with colors. They also love using the white board

5. Visual Learners Cont'd... • They usually have an interest in the aesthetics, the beauty of the physical environment, visual media and art • They are also good are remembering faces but usually forget names • They are also well dressed • They are also good at reading, spelling, and proof-reading

6. If You Are A Visual Learner... • Practice mental imagery – helps in memorization • Use different colored highlighters to point out important points in the reading • Take notes in class using different colors • Have a clear view of the teacher when in class • Read illustrated books and express your own ideas using illustrations and multimedia. • Stay in a quiet place!

7. Few more tips for Visual Learners... • Write out everything for quick learning • Use flash cards • Use graphic organizers and diagrams • Use videos to learn new material • A few good websites: • http://www.learning-styles-online.com/style/visual-spatial/ • http://www.cuyamaca.edu/eops/dsps/resourcesvis.asp • http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html (test)‏

8. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners Questions to ask yourself: 1. Do you remember what is done, not seen or heard? 2. Do you touch and move a lot? 3. Do you attack things physically? 4. Do you learn best by imitation and practice?

9. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style Study Tips • Write notes while reading. • Sit near front of class to take notes. This will keep you focused. • Draw diagrams and make charts. • Make flashcards. • Use Excel to make a table or spreadsheet to organize material.

10. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style Study Tips Cont'd... • Make a model that illustrates a key concept. • Use symbols and draw pictures while taking notes. • Use highlighter pens in contrasting colors to help emphasize key points. • Engaging in a hands-on activity to learn material.

11. What is an auditory learner? • A person who learns best by listening to information • Learn best by: verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others say

12. Characteristics of auditory learners • Remember what they hear • Talk while they write • Speak well • Remember names, not faces • Remembers music • Distracted by noise

13. Study tips for an auditory learner • Read explanations out loud • Record lectures • Make up songs/mnemonics/rhymes • Join a study group • Explain material you are trying to learn to a study partner • Study away from distracting noises

14. Study Tips for All Students • “A schedule saves time” • All schedules should be made with the idea that they can be changed. • A schedule should take into account lecture/lab time, work, social events, travel, sleeping. • What’s left over can be used to plan study time. • You should study only when rested, alert and when you have planned for it. Last minute studying (“cramming”) is usually a waste of time. • Make choosing a good physical environment a part of your study habits. • Critical thinking: • Ask questions as you read; talk to others who you feel are “good thinkers”

15. SQ3R: • Survey – get overall picture of what you’re going to study before you start. • Question – ask questions for learning; important things to learn are usually answers to questions. • Read – Reading is not running your eyes over the material! Be an active reader and pay attention to bold or italicized print. • Recite – Try to connect things you have just read to things that you already know; when you do this periodically, the chances are you will remember much more. • Review – survey what you’ve covered; the best time to review is when you have just finished studying something. Don’t wait until just before the exam to begin the reviewing process. Do a final review before an exam to “fine-tune” your knowledge.

16. Side notes • Use colored pens/pencils • Make a study guide for quizzes and exams. • Even if the material for the exam covers what is on your quiz study guide, make an exam study guide. • BE ORGANIZED!!! • Have separate notebooks for each course • Date notes and homework • Use titles when necessary • Be in class in Body and Mind…don’t daydream, text, talk, play on computer, etc. • If distracted by errands, etc., write them down quickly on top of paper then forget about it until after class. • Sit in the front of the class if you get easily distracted

17. Useful Websites... • www.csupomona.edu/~mash • Go to “For Students” • Then “Learning Resources Online” • Then click appropriate discipline under “Resources by Discipline” • www.how-to-study.com • Click study skills • Then learning styles • See what kind of learning you are

18. Difficulties in Learning Mathematics Associated with English as a Second Language

19. Difficulties in Learning Mathematics Associated with English as a Second Language • Teachers must understand the mechanics of English to teach the mechanics of mathematics properly • Teachers must help students develop their social skills using the English language in order to master mathematics in a team of enthusiastic learners.

20. Difficulties in Learning Mathematics Associated with English as a Second Language • Video-lectures should be produced for any level of mathematics and be available in the school library. • Textbooks should contain more pictures, graphs and illustrations of mathematical concepts that appeal directly to the imagination and intuition of a student.

21. The End