US 10097 – Destination Kent State – First Year Experience [DKS-FYE]

1. US 10097 – Destination Kent State – First Year Experience [DKS-FYE] LEARNING STYLES

2. LEARNING…A Changing Definition? Learning is defined as …. “A reasonably permanent change in behavior”

3. LEARNING…A Changing Definition? New methodology will require our students to truly investigate; • in-depth learning; • learning oriented toward problem solving and decision making; • learning embedded in real-life tasks and activities for thinking and communicating, and • learning that builds on students' prior knowledge and experiences.

4. LEARNING STYLES [1] • Visual Learners • - learn through seeing... • These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. • They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). • They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. • During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

5. LEARNING STYLES [2] • Auditory Learners • - learn through listening... . • They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. • Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. • Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

6. LEARNING STYLES [3] • Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners: • - through , moving, doing & touching… • Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. • They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

7. KINESTHETIC & When you…. VISUAL AUDITORY TACTILE Do you sound out the word Do you write the word Spell Do you try to see the word? or use a phonetic down to find if it feels approach? right? Do you sparingly but dislike Do you enjoy listening but Do you gesture and use listening for too long? Do are impatient to talk? Do expressive movements? Do Talk you favor words such as you use words such as you use words such as feel, see, picture , and imagine ? hear, tune , and think ? touch , and hold ? Do you become distracted Do you become distracted Do you become distracted Concentrate by untidiness or by sounds or noises? by activity around you? movement? Do you forget faces but Do you forget names but Do you remember best remember names or Meet someone again remember faces or what you did together? remember what you talked remember where you met? about? Do you talk with them while Contact people on Do you prefer direct, face- Do you prefer the walking or participating in to-face, personal meetings? telephone? business an activity? Do you like descriptive Do you enjoy dialog and Do you prefer action stories Read scenes or pause to imagine conversation or hear the or are not a keen reader? the actions? characters talk? Do you like to see Do you prefer verbal Do something new at Do you prefer to jump right demonstrations, diagrams, instructions or talking about in and try it? work slides, or posters? it with someone else? Do you ignore the Put something Do you like at the directions and figure it out directions and the picture? together as you go along? Do you call the help desk, Need help with a Do you seek out pictures or Do you keep trying to do it ask a neighbor, or growl at diagrams? or try it on computer application the computer?

8. What is your LEARNING STYLE? Take the Assessment …. http://www.ldpride.net/learning_style.html

9. MAKING YOUR LEARNING STYLE WORK FOR YOU! • Visual Learners • use visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps, graphs, etc. • have a clear view of your teachers when they are speaking so you can see their body language and facial expression • use colour to highlight important points in text • take notes or ask your teacher to provide handouts • illustrate your ideas as a picture or brainstorming bubble before writing them down • write a story and illustrate it • use multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and filmstrips) • study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances • read illustrated books • visualize information as a picture to aid memorization

10. MAKING YOUR LEARNING STYLE WORK FOR YOU! • Auditory Learners • participate in class discussions/debates • make speeches and presentations • use a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes • read text out aloud • create musical jingles to aid memorization • create mnemonics to aid memorization • discuss your ideas verbally • dictate to someone while they write down your thoughts • use verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point

11. MAKING YOUR LEARNING STYLE WORK FOR YOU! • Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners: • take frequent study breaks • move around to learn new things (e.g. read while on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept) • work at a standing position • chew gum while studying • use bright colors to highlight reading material • dress up your work space with posters • if you wish, listen to music while you study • skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.