Learning styles are the different ways that people learn. Everyone has a preferred learning style and different approaches of learning. Understanding that learning style helps us to learn more effectively. Knowing the learning styles of students is very helpful for teachers so that they can better accommodate the needs of the students in the classroom. This is especially true for LD/AD(H)D students because of their different ways of learning.
Through identifying learning style, the teacher can develop teaching strategies in order to capitalize on the students strengths and accommodate needs in the classroom. Learning styles of students' can be kinesthetic, visual, or auditory.
Visual learners learn through seeing. These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression in order to fully understand the content of a lesson. These students do best sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions. They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flip charts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.
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.
Kinesthetic Learners learn through , moving, doing and touching. 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.
This learning style inventory is very simple for students in elementary to complete and also easy to assess for the teacher.
Learning Styles Inventory
1. If I have to learn how to do something, I learn best when I:
(V) Watch someone show me how.
(A) Hear someone tell me how.
(K) Try to do it myself.
2. When I read, I often find that I:
(V) Visualize what I am reading in my mind's eye.
(A) Read out loud or hear the words inside my head.
(K) Fidget and try to "feel" the content.
3. When asked to give directions, I:
(V) See the actual places in my mind as I say them or prefer to draw them.
(A) Have no difficulty in giving them verbally.
(K) Have to point or move my body as I give them..
4. If I am unsure how to spell a word, I:
(V) Write it in order to determine if it looks right.
(A) Spell it out loud in order to determine if it sounds right.
(K) Write it in order to determine if it feels right.
5. When I write, I:
(V) Am concerned how neat and well spaced my letters and words appear.
(A) Often say the letters and words to myself
(K) Push hard on my pen or pencil and can feel the flow of the words or letters as I form them.
6. If I had to remember a list of items, I would remember it best if I:
(V) Wrote them down.
(A) Said them over and over to myself.
(K) Moved around and used my fingers to name each item.
7. I prefer teachers who:
(V) Use the board or overhead projector while they lecture.
(A) Talk with a lot of expression.
(K) Use hands-on activites.
8. When trying to concentrate, I have a difficult time when:
(V) There is a lot of clutter or movement in the room.
(A) There is a lot of noise in the room.
(K) I have to sit still for any length of time.
9. When solving a problem, I:
(V) Write or draw diagrams to see it.
(A) Talk myself through it.
(K) Use my entire body or move objects to help me think.
10. When given written instructions on how to build something, I:
(V) Read them silently and try to visualize how the parts will fit together.
(A) Read them out loud and talk to myself as I put the parts together.
(K) Try to put the parts together first and read later.
11. To keep occupied while waiting, I:
(V) Look around, stare, or read..
(A) Talk or listen to others.
(K) Walk around, manipulate things with my hands, or move/shake my feet as I sit.
12. If I had to verbally describe something to another person, I would:
(V) Be brief because I do not like to talk at length.
(A) Go into great detail because I like to talk.
(K) Gesture and move around while talking.
13. If someone were verbally describing something to me, I would:
(V) Try to visualize what she was saying.
(A) Enjoy listening but want to interrupt and talk myself.
(K) Become bored if her description got too long and detailed.
14. When trying to recall names, I rememeber:
(V) Faces but forget names.
(A) Names, but forget faces.
(K) The situation that I met the person other than the person's name or face.
Scoring Instructions: Add the number of responses for each letter and enter the total below. The area with the highest number of responces is probably your primary mode of learning. Because most people learn through a mixture of all three styles, read all of the learning suggestions given and select those you feel will work best for you.
Visual Auditory Kinesthetic V = _____ A = ______ K = ______
If you scored mostly a's you may have a visual learning style. You learn by seeing and looking.
Visual Learners
• take numerous detailed notes
• tend to sit in the front
• are usually neat and clean
• often close their eyes to visualize or remember something
• find something to watch if they are bored
• like to see what they are learning
• benefit from illustrations and presentations that use color
• are attracted to written or spoken language rich in imagery
• prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction
• find passive surroundings ideal
If you scored mostly b's, you may have an auditory learning style. You learn by hearing and listening.
Auditory Learners
• sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front
• may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can explain why they are wearing what they are wearing and why
• hum or talk to themselves or others when bored
• acquire knowledge by reading aloud
• remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).
If you had mostly c's, you may have a kinesthetic learning style. You learn by touching and doing.
Kinesthetic Learners
• need to be active and take frequent breaks
• speak with their hands and with gestures
• remember what was done, but have difficulty recalling what was said or seen
• find reasons to tinker or move when bored
• rely on what they can directly experience or perform
• activities such as cooking, construction, engineering and art help them perceive and learn
• enjoy field trips and tasks that involve manipulating materials
• sit near the door or someplace else where they can easily get up and move around
• are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack opportunities for hands-on experience
• communicate by touching and appreciate physically expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the back