Learning Styles : An Overview

1. Learning Styles : An Overview Adapted from Glover (August 2004) Presented by Dr. Douglas Gosse, Nipissing University

2. The answer is a resounding NO! Did you know that students retain: 10% of what they read 20% of what they hear 30% of what they see 50% of what they see and hear 70% of what they say 90% of what they say and do!!

3. John Dewey on Learning “Genuine ignorance is profitable because it is likely to be accompanied by humility, curiosity, and open mindedness; whereas ability to repeat catch-phrases, cant terms, familiar propositions, gives the conceit of learning and coats the mind with varnish waterproof to new ideas.”

5. Multi-sensory approaches work well because of the way our brain is organized. When we learn, information takes one path into our brain when we use our eyes, another when we use our ears, and yet another when we use our hands. By using more than one sense, we bombard our brain with the new information in multiple ways. Thus, we learn better!!

6. Three Major Learning Styles By Glover (August, 2004) Visual learners:seeing words, pictures, directions Auditory Learners: listening to tapes, conversation, words with music Kinesthetic & Tactile Learners: getting fully involved in role plays and field trips

7. VAK • Explore the free VAK test: • http://www.businessballs.com/freematerialsinword/vaklearningstylesquestionnaireselftest.doc • or go to: http://www.puc.edu/TLC/newsite/pdf/Learning%20Styles%20Inventory.pdf • Check out website at : http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm

8. 1. Visual learners: Have a keen awareness of aesthetics Can make movies in their minds of information they are reading Prefer face-to-face meetings Easily understand information presented in charts, pictures, or diagrams Pay close attention to body language Good with visual symbols Can easily recall printed information May forget names, but remember faces Comfortable with books and graphics Are distracted by untidiness or movement

9. Mind Map of a Visual Learnerhttp://www.globalclassroom.org/authors/wyatt.html

10. 2. Auditory Learners Learn best by hearing Have strong oral communication skills Tend to be talkers Forget faces, but remember names and what you talked about Can hear tones, rhythms, and notes of music Accurately remember details from conversations Sound out words Prefer verbal directions Prefer the telephone Enjoy rapping! Become distracted by sounds or noises

11. 3. Kinesthetic or Tactile Learners Are well coordinated Learn best by using their hands Learn best by doing Able to disassemble and reassemble things Were labeled as hyperactive Ignore directions and figure it out as they go along Jump right in and try activities Prefer action stories and may not be keen readers Enjoy role play! Write words down to see if they feel right Gesture and use expressive movements

13. What does this mean for teachers? For students?? What types of activities should teachers try to enhance student learning? What tips can teachers give students?

14. Glover (August, 2004) provides suggestions for the 3 types of learners that follow:

15. (a) Instructional Strategies for Visual Learners Use charts and pictures to study Keep the study environment clutter free Make class notes visual with drawings, spacing, symbols, etc. Highlight and write as you study. Use different colors to select and organize Recall information by visualizing text pages, notes, or study cards. Always write down what you need to remember When solving problems, draw or illustrate the problem and solution Make recall cues as visual as possible with capital letters, colors, and illustrations

16. (b) Instructional Strategies Auditory Learners Study in groups or with friends Recite aloud as you study Talk to yourself – describe diagrams or practice answering test questions out loud Attend all class lectures Tape record lectures in addition to taking notes and play them in your car Recite study cards into a tape recorder and play it back Recall information during exams by hearing yourself recite in your head Talk yourself through the steps of a problem

17. (c) Instructional Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners Use as many of your senses as possible when you study Study with another kinesthetic person Move around when you study – put study cards on the floor and recite them as you move around the room When solving problems, move around and manipulate items to represent parts of the problem Study in small frequent chunks When taking tests try to feel how you stored information by remembering what you physically did as you studied Use a timer to set study periods. Start with short times and work up. Take a break when the timer sounds

18. References • Glover, D. (August 2004). Learning Styles : What Tutors Need to Know. Retrieved February 15, 2006, from http://www.brescia.edu/students/sss/learning_styles.ppt • Joong, P., Shalhorn, J. and Wasserman, A. (2000). Chapter 3: Teaching Styles: How You Teach is as Important as What You Teach. In Coping with the new curriculum (pp. 46-80). Toronto: Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, Educational Services Committee. • Villems, A.Learning Styles. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.ceenet.org/workshops/lectures2000/Anne_Villems/1 • Yukhina, E.How Designers Think, Cognitive & Learning Styles. Retrieved February 16, 2006, from http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~john/DESC9099-CognitiveStyles.ppt