LEARNING STYLES

What is a Learning Style? • Refers to the way you receive, store and retrieve information. • Many different learning styles • Not everyone learns the same way • When you know your preferred Learning Style, you can adapt yourself better to the classroom and learn more effectively outside of class

Learning Styles • Six Learning Styles – Reading – Writing – Listening (Auditory) – Speaking – Visualizing – Manipulating (hands-on)

Learning Styles • Often the six are categorized into three styles – Auditory

– Visual

– Tactile

Assessing Your Preferred Learning Style • Complete assessment in book on pages 126128 • Complete Learning Styles Inventory introduced in class.

Teaching Modes • There are four direct teaching modes – Lecturing – Group Collaboration – Visual Presentation – Manipulating Indirect Teaching Modes include: Writing and Reading

Making the Most of Your Preferred Learning Style • Visual Learners: to include reading, writing, visualizing – Keep text with you during lectures so you can refer to the written word – Read assignments – keep up on reading and take notes while reading – Take notes during class-revise them as soon as possible after class – Create study aids such as notecards, draw diagrams, make charts, etc.

Making The Most of Your Preferred Learning Style • Auditory Learning: includes speaking and listening – Compatible with lecture classes – May benefit from participating in a study group so you can hear others discuss the concepts – Tape lectures and listen to them again – Read aloud

Making The Most of Your Preferred Learning Style • Tactile Learners: hands-on, manipulation – Build models or replicas, create charts, diagrams and graphs – Take notes – Make flash cards and utilize them in your studies – Transcribe hand written classroom notes on the computer – For Math, make sure you do the practice problems and homework

Making the Most Out of Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode • The Teaching Mode will not always match your preferred learning style. • Students will adapt and strengthen their less preferred or used learning styles • You will want to master as many learning styles as possible • Every learning style you strengthen will boost your self-esteem as well as your performance

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode • Lecture: students who are visual and tactile learners will need to take detailed notes during lectures. Auditory learners will be careful listeners and strengthen visual and tactile skill by taking notes. • Soon after lecture class – review notes and make corrections. Add diagrams, charts graphs that correspond to material. Can re-write notes on the computer for increased tactile learning. Make note cards for visual and tactile use. • Strong auditory learners can join study groups to further discuss classroom topics. Information is heard a second time.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode • Visual Presentations: Students who are tactile and auditory learners will benefit by sitting at the front of the class so they do not miss anything. • Take notes during the presentation and soon after class, make additions to your classroom notes. • A study group will help auditory learners in a situation where the material was delivered through visual presentations – a study group could discuss what was viewed and give interpretation of the material • Tactile learners could re-create visuals as a way to connect with new material.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode • Group Collaborations – good for auditory learners. Need to come to class prepared so you can actively participate in the group. • Tactile and visual learners can benefit by taking notes during group work – gives you a “record” of what went on during group work.

Adapting to Your Instructor’s Teaching Mode • Manipulation – works well for tactile learners – lots of hands-on activities in class • Visual and auditory learners can strengthen their tactile style by taking notes on procedures you might perform in class, utilizing open lab time to “practice” more.

Learning Beyond the Classroom • Talk with professional who are in the field you are preparing to enter • Join clubs, societies or other campus organizations • Read journals in the occupational field you plan to enter • Visit instructors outside the classroom • Enroll in elective courses that will strengthen some of your weaker skills • Participate in field experiences, internships or cooperative education programs

“Making a Comeback” • Evaluate your efforts • Discuss progress (or lack of) with your instructors – own up to your faults • Seek help – get a tutor • When grades begin to slip, get help • Don’t let personal problems stand in your way