Learning Styles and You

You are what you are! Each individual naturally functions and learns in a particular manner. Although your brain usually functions as a "whole," it actually is divided into two hemispheres. Both hemispheres act and react, think and process, and solve problems in very specific ways. Each is quite different from the other, and one is usually dominant. The best "brain power" is a result of both hemispheres integrating with almost equal balance.

 

You learn primarily through three basic modalities that use your senses:

Visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), and kinesthetic (feeling, doing). Just like left or right hemisphere brain dominance, one modality is usually predominant.

 

In order to learn "how to learn," it is very important to learn how you presently take in and process information. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your individual learning style will allow you to make adjustments so that you may reach your fullest potential in whatever you wish to do or learn. Assessing your learning style is the first step toward achieving maximum use of your "brain power.

 

What follows is a discussion of self-assessments in the areas of brain ability and modality strengths, as well as specific attributes of each. This information will be invaluable to you as you continue your journey toward more effective and efficient learning.

 

LEARNING MODALITIES

A learning modality is a way of using sensory information to learn. Basically, there are three modalities you use to process material into your memory. They are as follows:

 

Visual--learn from seeing

Auditory--learn from hearing

Kinesthetic-- learn from touching, doing, moving

 

Generally, everyone has one predominant modality. However, many people have a "balance" between two or even all three senses.

 It is very important to know your primary sense of learning so that you will know how to approach learning and how to apply certain methods that will aid you the most.

 

First, complete the self-assessment study to find out what your strongest modality is. Then, refer to the chart of suggested aids that follows for specific hints and methods you can use to increase your learning power. 

 

SELF-ASSESSMENT OF MODALITIES STRENGTH

Read each question or statement and circle the most appropriate answer. Some will be difficult to answer, but try to respond according to how you would react most often.

 

1.     You usually remember more from a class lecture when

a.       you do not take notes but listen very closely.

b.      you sit near the front of the room and watch the speaker.

c.       you take notes (whether or not you look at them again).

 

2.      You usually solve problems by

a.       talking to yourself or a friend.

b.       using an organized, systematic approach with lists, schedules, etc.

c.       walking, pacing, or some other physical activity.

 

3.      You remember phone numbers (when you can't write them down) by

a.       repeating the number orally.

b.      "seeing" or "visualizing' the numbers in your mind.

c.       "writing" the numbers with your finger on a table or wall.

 

4.      You find it easiest to learn something new by

a.      listening to someone explain how to do it.

b.      watching a demonstration of how to do it.

c.       trying it yourself.

 

5.      You remember most clearly from a movie

a.      what the characters said, background noises and music.

b.      the setting, scenery, and costumes.

c.       the feelings you experienced during the movie.

 

6.      When you go to the grocery store, you

a.      silently or orally repeat the grocery list.

b.      walk up and down the aisles to see what you need.

c.       usually remember what you need from the list you left at home.

 

7.      You are trying to remember something and so you

a.       try to see it happen in your mind.

b.       hear in your mind what was said or the noises that occurred.

c.       feel the way "it" reacted with your emotions.

 

8.      You learn a foreign language by

a.       listening to records or tapes.

b.       writing and using workbooks.

c.       attending a class in which you read and write.

 

9.      You are confused about the correct spelling of a word and so you

a.       sound it out.

b.       try to "see" the word in your mind.

c.       write the word several different ways and choose the one that looks right.

 

10.    You enjoy reading most when you can read

a.       dialogue between characters.

b.       descriptive passages that allow you to create mental pictures.

c.       stories with a lot of action in the beginning (because you have a hard time sitting still).

 

11.    You usually remember people you have met by their

a.       names (you forget faces).

b.       faces (you forget names).

c.       mannerisms, motions, etc.

 

12.    You are disturbed most by

a.       noises.

b.       people.

c.       environment (temperature, comfort of furniture, etc.).

 

13.    You usually dress

a.      fairly well (but clothes are not very important to you).

b.      neatly (in a particular style).

c.      comfortably (so you can move easily).

 

14.    You can't do anything physical and you can't read, so you choose to

a.      talk with a friend.

b.      watch TV or look out a window.

c.      move slightly in your chair or bed.

 

  

SCORING

Count the total number of responses for each letter and write them below.

                   a. __________ auditory                 (learn best by hearing)

                   b. __________ visual                     (learn best by seeing)

                   c. __________ kinesthetic           (learn best by touching, doing, moving).

 

Notice if one modality is significantly higher or lower, or if any two modalities are in close number.

 

Were the results as you expected them to be? Is that the way you see yourself?

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING STYLES

Three of your five senses are primarily used in learning, storing, remembering, and recalling information. Your eyes, ears, and

sense of touch play essential roles in the way you communicate, perceive reality, and relate to others. Because you learn from and communicate best with someone who shares your dominant modality, it is a great advantage for you to know the characteristics of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles and to be able to identify them in others. It could be beneficial to review with others

in two different modalities. In this way, you can see concepts through different "eyes."

 

VISUAL	AUDITORY	KINESTHETIC
mind sometimes strays during verbal activities	talks to self aloud	likes physical rewards, in motion most of the time
observes rather than talks or acts	enjoys talking easily distracted	likes to touch people when talking to them
organized in approach to tasks	has more difficulty with written directions	taps pencil or foot while studying
likes to read	likes to be read to	enjoys doing activities
usually a good speller, notices details	memorizes by steps in a sequences	reading is not a priority
memorizes by seeing graphics & pictures	enjoys music	poor speller
not too distractible , meticulous & neat in appearance	whispers to self while reading	likes to solve problems by physically working through them
finds verbal instructions difficult	remembers faces	will try new things
has good handwriting	easily distracted by noise	outgoing by nature
remembers faces	hums or sings	expresses emotions through physical means
uses advanced planning	outgoing by nature	uses hands while talking
doodles	enjoys listening activities	dresses for comfort
quiet by nature		enjoys handling objects

 

Students who have equal modality preferences are most flexible learners and are

already using many studying techniques rather than just a few.                                                           

Use the following aids to sharpen your particular dominant learning modality or to strengthen a weaker one. Try to be aware of the different activities you do daily to help build all three of your modalities.

 

Use your strengths while building your weaker areas.

 

Visual use guided imagery form pictures in your mind take notes see parts of words use "cue" words use notebooks use color codes use study cards use photographic pictures watch TV watch filmstrips                           watch movies use charts, graphs use maps                                       demonstrate       draw/use drawings use exhibits  paste" notes use mnemonics (acronyms, visual chains, mind maps, acrostics, hook-ups)

Auditory use tapes listen to music speak/listen to speakers make up rhymes/poems read aloud talk to yourself repeat things orally use rhythmic sounds have discussions listen carefully use oral directions sound out words use theater  say words in syllables                   use mnemonics (word links, rhymes, poems, lyrics)

Kinesthetic  pace/walk as you study physically "do it" practice by repeated motion breathe slowly role play exercise dance write write on surfaces with finger takes notes associate feelings with concept/information write lists repeatedly stretch/move in front of  a mirror   use mnemonics (word links, rhymes, poems, lyrics)   use computer to "cut & paste" notes